Henry Merrill is a third-generation aspiring horseman. Being stewards of the horse is both in the familial DNA and the glue that binds his family’s past and present together. His grandfather Hubert, born in the late 1800’s, made his living gathering wild horses and selling them to the U.S. Calvary. Henry grew up under the tutelage of his father Hugh, a notable and well-rounded horseman, then primarily a ranch/feedlot manager, who, among various equine achievements, had started colts for many years on the tracks for distinguished owners and breeders including Harriet Peckham and Fred Hervey.

Henry is a lifelong equestrian for which the horse always held a uniquely powerful draw. He grew up working for his father, helping shoe horses. In the little free time available, he showed horses in halter horse and pleasure through 4-H. Summers were spent in some tough country with his Uncle on various ranches he ran throughout Northern Arizona. In high school Henry competed and placed at the state level in FFA’s Equestrian Science program, and upon graduating had his own contract colt starting business. This business was short lived, as post 9/11 Henry volunteered for the Army, serving almost 6 years honorably in the infantry. There he learned countess lessons about leadership, accountability, personal integrity, and perseverance that would serve him time and time again with both the horse and the public. Post-military, Henry graduated from Arizona Western College, majoring in Philosophy. There he gained the ability to analytically synthesize data sets using formal and informal logic, probability, and reason. This ability to think critically and reason clearly is one of the things he believes has been a crucial and integral building block for his growth as an aspiring horseman. 

There was never a facet of the horse Henry did not crave knowledge of. He has shod horses for the public and is a graduate of Tucson School of Horseshoeing. He has built saddles in his free time and graduated from the advanced saddle-building course at the Montana Horseman Saddle Building School. He brings this unique skillset to the table, relying on the dexterity someone who has worked as a professional in these industries gains to orchestrate a holistic and coherent problem-solving ability within his horsemanship. 

Henry has worked on various cow calf operations and feedlots throughout the West, primarily in Arizona, Oregon, and Idaho. He studied as a working student with Martin Black for over a year and later attended a collegiate horse production program under Martin’s son, Wade. In college, Henry earned numerous ranch roping, reining, and feedlot operation certifications through the TQA. He showed horses on the collegiate stock-horse team through the ASHA and is a CHA-certified riding instructor. 

In his free time, Henry enjoys braiding rawhide, reading, shooting, and spending time with family and friends.