Barbara was born and raised in Lehi, Utah, daughter of Ferron and Florence Olson. Her champion roper father started Barbara on a horse at an early age. In high school she competed in five events and qualified for High School Nationals Finals each year of eligibility. She was a two time Utah State Championship Breakaway Roper and Girls All Around Championship as a senior.
Neil was born and raised in Salem, Utah, son of Freeborn (Jack) and Ruth Merrill. As a teenager, Neil began riding with his best friend Bob Davis. Bob’s father, Sterling, taught Neil horsemanship, roping and bulldogging. In college Neil was named the Regional Champion Steer Wrestler.
Neil and Barbara were married in 1976 and welcomed their son Corey in 1977. As with most young couples, money was tight, so to pay the bills, Neil took a job in a machine shop. Little did this young couple know that the skills Neil developed while employed as a machinist would later place them into a position that would impact the equine industry worldwide.
Barbara had an idea for a barrel racing bit and Neil, through trial and error was able to make it. Soon friends and competitors alike wanted the “Merrill Bits”. Additionally Barbara and Neil designed and made the “Merrill Saddle” and “Merrill Saddle Pad” both of which were developed with the horse in mind.
Their desire for improving rodeo ground conditions lead them to come up with a design for a self-leveling implement that practically runs itself. With the “Black Widow Arena Drag” the ground is now safer and faster being widely used by private and municipal arenas, equestrian event producers, and rodeo committees nationwide.
In 1986 Barbara trained a horse she believed could win at the national level, so Neil quit his job and they went on the road. Their hard work and efforts paid off in 1992 & 1993 when Barbara won the Wilderness Circuit Barrel Racing Championship and also qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV. As Barbara ran down the alley at the Thomas & Mack Arena you can bet Neil ran every step with her.
The Merrill’s resistance free horse training program encourages riders to find the method that works best for them and their horse. “What matters most is what the horse thinks of it”, is their philosophy.
The union of Neil and Barbara Merrill is an example of commitment and companionship. Taking the time to learn, understand and truly care is not only what Neil and Barbara Merrill have done and teach, it is who they are.
“Life gives us all some lessons and faith can sustain us through the tuff times and temper our successes with gratitude. All inspiration and success comes through us not from us.”
– Neil Merrill