Tag: cowboy lifestyle

Once Upon The Mountain: Joe Merrick (Ep. 57)

Once Upon The Mountain: Joe Merrick (Ep. 57)

In this engaging conversation, Billy and Cade interview Joe Merrick, author of ‘Once Upon the Mountain,’ exploring his life growing up around horses, particularly the legendary Easy Jet. Joe shares heartfelt stories about his childhood experiences, the challenges and triumphs of horse racing, and the lessons learned from his father and the racetrack. The discussion also touches on the current state of the racing industry and the importance of preserving its integrity.

Takeaways

  • Joe Merrick’s book captures the essence of horse racing.
  • Growing up around Easy Jet shaped Joe’s life and career.
  • Joe’s father instilled a strong work ethic in him.
  • Easy Jet’s racing career was unprecedented in its success.
  • The transition from racing to breeding was significant for Easy Jet.
  • Integrity in horse racing is a pressing concern today.
  • Joe’s experiences highlight the bond between humans and horses.

 

About our Guest:

As the son of AQHA Hall of Fame member Walter Merrick, Joe Merrick was a 12-year old during the legendary run of his fathers trainee in 1969, and has written a book that gives the account of those events in 1969 from the perspective of the pre-teenage adolescent.

The AQHA Hall of Fame runner and sire Easy Jet rattled out an epic two-year old campaign in 1969 that saw the son of Jet Deck score 22-victories from a lofty 26-starts as a two year-old.  During that run in 1969,  Easy Jet qualified, and claimed victories in the Blue Ribbon Futurity, Columbus Triple Crown Futurity, Lubbock Downs, Futurity, Laddie Stakes at Centennial Park, Rocky Mountain QHA Futurity, All American Congress Futurity,  Sunland Park Fall Futurity, Kansas Futurity, and the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.

 

Link to buy the book below!

Connect with Joe Merrick

About our Guest:

As the son of AQHA Hall of Fame member Walter Merrick, Joe Merrick was a 12-year old during the legendary run of his fathers trainee in 1969, and has written a book that gives the account of those events in 1969 from the perspective of the pre-teenage adolescent.

The AQHA Hall of Fame runner and sire Easy Jet rattled out an epic two-year old campaign in 1969 that saw the son of Jet Deck score 22-victories from a lofty 26-starts as a two year-old.  During that run in 1969,  Easy Jet qualified, and claimed victories in the Blue Ribbon Futurity, Columbus Triple Crown Futurity, Lubbock Downs, Futurity, Laddie Stakes at Centennial Park, Rocky Mountain QHA Futurity, All American Congress Futurity,  Sunland Park Fall Futurity, Kansas Futurity, and the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.

 

Link to Similar Episodes:

Cody Jensen’s Winning Formula in Horse Racing (Ep. 39)

From Jockey to Media Star: Zoe Cadman’s Journey (EP. 52)

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Connect with Cade Peterson:

Connect with Shaun Peterson:

 

From Small Town to Country Music Star with Chris Petersen (Ep. 50)

From Small Town to Country Music Star with Chris Petersen (Ep. 50)

Billy and Shaun sit down and catch up with Chris Petersen and explore the unique journey from a small town to becoming a country music star, and the challenges he faced in overcoming his fear of singing. Chris Petersen is a country music artist, storyteller, and cowboy at heart. His 2019 album, Cowboy Coming Home, debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and his 2023 song, Horse People, has amassed tens of millions of views across social media and streaming platforms. Known for his heartfelt lyrics and authentic style, Chris has performed on prominent stages, including Season 15 of America’s Got Talent, connecting with audiences across the country.
Beyond music, Chris has built a career as a professional photographer, videographer, and creator. Through his business, Diehard Productions, he has worked with major brands like Under Armour, RAM Trucks, and Tony Lama Boots. Chris and his wife, McKensie also host creative workshops for photographers and videographers, where they inspire others to capture the beauty of the western lifestyle. Whether on stage, behind the camera, or in the saddle, Chris Petersen is dedicated to preserving and sharing the spirit of the West.

Takeaways

  • Overcoming fear is a significant step in pursuing one’s passion.
  • Family influence can shape one’s career path in unexpected ways.
  • Setting goals and manifesting dreams can lead to unexpected opportunities.
  • The cowboy lifestyle teaches valuable life lessons and values.
  • Music is a language that can connect people across different backgrounds.

Connect with Chris Petersen:

Connect with Billy Peterson:

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