Rooted in Tradition,
Growing with Passion

My passion for agriculture has been with me since childhood, growing up on our family farm in Keatchie, Louisiana. Farming and being a steward of the land have been central to my life from a young age. As a 4-H member from the ages of 9 to 17, I had the privilege of working with various livestock, from steers to goats, which only deepened my love for this way of life. I earned my degree in Agricultural Business from LSU, and soon after, I began my career with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. While I started at headquarters, it wasn’t long before I found my way back to northwest Louisiana—home. In 2008, Seth and I started our life together, blending our shared love for the land with family traditions like hunting and fishing. We’ve built a wonderful life with our boys, and though we had to put some of our agricultural aspirations on hold in the early years, it’s a blessing to see our family deeply rooted in agriculture once again. One of my favorite moments on the farm is watching the sunset in the quiet of the evening. The vibrant colors remind me of the beauty God has given us, and it brings me a sense of peace amidst the noise of daily life. There’s also an unmatched joy in welcoming a new farm animal into the world, especially after all the planning, hard work, and care that goes into it. It’s moments like these that make everything worthwhile. Of course, farming and ranching aren’t always warm and fuzzy—it’s a daily grind, even when you’re dealing with tough weather and unpredictable challenges. But we’re incredibly blessed to have the support of our families when things get tough, and I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

My connection to ranching and horses goes back three to four generations on both sides of my family. I grew up riding and working with horses alongside my father and family, and though life took me away from it for a while, I came back to it in 2021, and I haven’t looked back since. Training horses has been the most rewarding work I’ve ever done, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live out my passion every day at Flower Hill Ranch. My philosophy in training is simple: lay a proper foundation. I focus on building trust and respect, ensuring that each horse is a safe, reliable companion that can fit seamlessly into any family or farm. I’m not looking to train rodeo or competition horses. I want to create horses that are well-mannered and safe for everyday riding—horses that can be trusted to load into trailers, lead, take commands, and be a valuable part of someone’s life. A typical day for me at the ranch is full of chores—picking stalls, feeding, grooming, and of course, training. The days can be long, but there’s nothing better than sitting under the shade of the old oak tree by the pond with a cup of coffee, reflecting on the day’s work. What I enjoy most about this lifestyle is the sense of connection it gives me—back to my roots and to something bigger than myself. Ranching keeps me grounded and entertained; there’s never a dull moment. Every horse I work with has its own personality, and I take the time to build individual relationships with each one. I don’t have a favorite—they’re all special in their own way. As for the future of Flower Hill Ranch, my vision is to continue improving our breeding program and producing great horses. We’ve been working with top stallions like Gypsi GI Joe, Fiddle and Steel, and Metallic Cattack, with our next crop set to arrive in 2025. It’s an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to seeing how our horses continue to grow and thrive.

I began my rodeo career riding broncs and bulls, chasing that adrenaline high every cowboy knows. A friend once suggested I try bullfighting, and from the very first time, I was hooked. That rush stuck with me for the next 20 years. My most unforgettable moment was making the National Finals Rodeo in 1997, when I ranked #2 in the world. Now, that was something special. Like most rodeo cowboys, the hardest part was being away from my family. Those months on the road, missing out on the everyday moments, that’s a tough pill to swallow. But bullfighting? I never had to prepare much for it—I just did it. You jump in and trust your instincts. As for the accolades, I learned that patience and family values were the real prizes. Sure, I’ve got some buckles from competitions, but being chosen by my peers to work the finals? That was the true honor. Winning the Budweiser Bullfighting Competitions four times was no small feat either. You had to be invited, and I got that call four times—and walked away the winner each time. I didn’t just fall into horse training. I’ve been working with horses since I was 13. When I wasn’t on the road, I’d come home and train horses for my father-in-law and others, including some wild mustangs. Now, those horses will teach you patience in ways nothing else can. Today, my routine is pretty straightforward. I work full-time and get home around 4:00 p.m. By then, my wife Raye Lynn usually has the horses lined up, ready for me to get started. Then, the real fun begins. My motivation is simple: to create a horse that anyone—from age 4 to 90—can ride. My passion is my family and this ranch. We’re in this together, and there’s nothing quite like watching my son, Seth, grow with each horse he trains. That’s a kind of treasure you can’t find anywhere else.

I’ve been around horses for as long as I can remember—my mother had me riding before I could walk. By the age of 3, I had my own horse, Lady, who was my faithful companion and babysitter. Growing up, my father traded horses, and I often ended up being the one to “test drive” them, which made me cautious around horses. But that all changed when I met Ray. He taught me how to ride with a soft touch, and for the first time, I truly trusted horses. That shift in how I rode made all the difference. At Flower Hill Ranch, I wear many hats—feeding, picking stalls, doctoring, grooming, and more. I get the joy of connecting one-on-one with every horse, ensuring they’re all in top shape for the work they do. Nothing beats walking out the door in the morning and hearing them all greet me with their nickers. We’ve built Flower Hill Ranch as a family. Ray, Seth, and I work together seamlessly, each stepping in where the other leaves off. Watching Ray’s calm manner with animals has taught me so much about handling them with respect and patience. My dream is to see future generations, including my grandkids, enjoying the horses raised and trained here. Now that I’m retired, I’m on the ranch full-time, ensuring every horse gets what they need to do their job well. It doesn’t get better than this—every morning on the ranch fills my soul. Growing up around livestock taught me how to work smarter, not harder, and that’s something I bring into our daily operations. We love to welcome young folks to Flower Hill Ranch, showing them the ropes of ranch life. Whether it's day-to-day operations or giving a few riding lessons, I hope to spark a love for horses in them. What I value most is teaching people to treat their horses with respect, kindness, and discipline. After all, horses react to how they’re treated, just like we do.