Walter Merrick, born in 1911 in western Oklahoma, was a legendary cowboy, horse breeder, and influential figure in the American Quarter Horse industry. Starting his career as a teenage ranch hand in Colorado, he specialized in breaking spoiled horses. In 1928, he returned to Oklahoma with a dream of owning “good horses.” He later worked as a broncbuster at the Figure Two Ranch, where he met and married Tien Shinn. During the Depression, he began building his own cattle herd, branding it the 14 Ranch.
Merrick expanded his operation across four states, managing thousands of cattle and breeding top-quality horses. In 1936, he purchased Midnight Jr, an American Quarter Horse, which became the foundation of his breeding program. When the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was established, Midnight Jr received registry number 210. Merrick’s pursuit of excellence led him to bring the Thoroughbred stallion Three Bars to Oklahoma, significantly enhancing his breeding line.
One of Merrick’s most successful horses was Easy Jet, a cross between Jet Deck and Lena’s Bar. Easy Jet became a Hall of Fame horse, winning numerous races, including the prestigious All American Futurity in 1969, and earning the title of World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse.
Merrick’s contributions to the Quarter Horse industry earned him numerous accolades. Sayre, Oklahoma, celebrated “Walter Merrick Day” in his honor, and he was named Oklahoma State University’s Outstanding Oklahoma Horse Breeder in 1979. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the AQHA Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as a pivotal figure in American horse breeding.
