About Us:

Billy grew up on a working cattle ranch of 3000 acres in Meeker, enjoying the hard work of ranching. The excitement and suspense of breeding horses started at an early for Billy when he purchased his first stud horse at the age of 13. Today, the breeding of the AQHA stallion, Gofar Dustar Bar has been replaced with the cooled semen shipping, mostly from warmblood and thoroughbred lines.

After getting married to Natasha in 1997 and following the sale of the family ranch, Billy took up training horses full time on what is now Coal Creek Farms. Always starting his own horses and a few local horses growing up, Billy had a good feel for working with young horses. With influences from Buck Brannaman, combined with the support and mentoring of local horsewoman, Maree McAteer, Billy continues to refine his natural horsemanship skills.

With the arrival of their first child in 2000, someone had to ride the few English horses that Natasha was showing. At this point, Billy takes his first jump, and is hooked. Now with clients throughout Colorado, and from California to North Carolina, Billy focuses on starting young horses. He puts a solid foundation on these young horses, and introduces them to a variety of careers from trail riding to hunter/jumper and dressage. With the continued help of clinicians, such as Greg Best and George Schneider and the expert knowledge of Bridget Strang and Maree McAteer, Billy’s English world is an ever exciting new day.

In addition to the horses in training, Coal Creek Farms also has a small selection of quality sale horses. Coal Creek Farms specializes in repeat customers, matching up the right horse to the right person. People are calling on a regular basis looking for and wanting to sell horses. Billy keeps a list of available horses and tries to find matches.

Now with two children, Uri 6 and Sophia 3, Billy and Natasha have a very busy and blessed life. Natasha works as a wildlife biologist for the Forest Service. She makes time for at least one project horse, and is lucky enough to get to take a few pack trips in the Flat Tops Wilderness during the summer for her job. Uri and Sophia share their beloved pony Nicki and like to join in Dad’s lessons.

In addition to riding outside horses and his personal horses, Billy still finds time to be the Horse 4-H leader, a member on the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds board, Colorado West Hunter Jumper/Jumper Association board, and school Accountability Committee.