Three Nails Ranch
Click here to read the complete article
By Susan Winslow
It has been a whirlwind year for competitor, judge, breeder, trainer, and coach Jarrell Jackson, Equine Manager at Three Nails Ranch in Cisco, Texas. Two years ago, he joined ranch owners Billy and Suzonne Franks to expand their Halter horse operation at the sprawling 1,800 acre-ranch just west of Fort Worth, TX. Jarrell brought a solid background in horses to the table along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies – Reproduction. His extensive knowledge of horses stems from a life of observation and involvement in all aspects of the industry.
Growing up in Louisiana, Jarrell’s father, Tommie Jackson, competed in open competition. Jarrell took every opportunity to get in the show pen and soak up knowledge along the way. He developed a special interest and talent with Halter horses and worked his way up from local and regional to national competitions. His horses have earned success at top venues claiming World Championships, Reserve World Championships, and top-ten placements at the AQHA, ACHYA, PHBA, ABRA, IBHA, World Show and Select World Show as well as the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
As a young man, Jarrell was involved with 4-H and later on became a Horse Specialist judge. He paid his dues with hands-on experience on a cattle and horse ranch owned by past AQHA President JD Blondin. He was the manager of the stud barn, trained Halter horses, and managed the cattle business at the ranch. He counts Blondin as one of the strongest influences in his life. Bobby Harrison and Ted Parker also mentored him towards running his own program.
Jarrell has worked hard to achieve success as a competitor, judge, and now successful manager of the program at Three Nails Ranch. Despite all the demands on his time, he has always given back to the industry, volunteering with 4-H and serving as a Youth Advisor for the PHBA. He was a founder and President of the PHBA Challenged Horseman’s Program, which gives riders with disabilities a chance to experience the thrill of competition, complete with High Point awards and scholarship opportunities.
This dedicated horseman describes joining the team at Three Nails Ranch as a dream come true. He says, “Billy and Suzonne Franks are the heart and soul of the ranch. They both live their Christian values every day, and their strong-hearted manner resonates around them. They teach by example, walking through life with such strength and integrity that everyone around them wants to be that way, too.” He says he feels very fortunate to work for people who truly feel like extended family and are so supportive. In fact, Billy was the officiant at Jarrell’s wedding to Kate Griffiths this spring.
Horses played an important role in Jarrell and Kate’s relationship. They connected at successive horse shows and sealed their future at a horse sale. A mare named Looking For Romance is now one of the Ranch’s most successful show mares. Kate, who is the Director of Marketing at the Appaloosa Horse Club, also handles the books and marketing at Three Nails Ranch.
The couple was married at the end of March, but they are putting off a honeymoon until December. Jarrell says, “We have so much going on with the horses that we both want to wait until we can enjoy ourselves at the end of the show season. Right now, we are focused on the horses and the program at the ranch. We’ve worked hard to get to this point. Our first foal crop will now be heading into competition. We have a high caliber of foals on the ground right now. We both love what we do. Since Kate is from a horse family, she understands the life. Her dad, Lenny Griffiths, is the stallion manager at the ranch and her mom, Alycia Griffiths, is the show barn manager. We work well as a team, and we are all about the horses.”
Under Jarrell’s guidance, Three Nails has added a mare motel/stallion barn with four spacious foaling stalls along with six stud stalls and 36 mare stalls. They have also developed a state of the art breeding and collection facility and rounded out the breeding program with some of the leading sires in the industry. Each stallion was carefully chosen for his bloodline, disposition, and stellar show record. Jarrell’s program includes a healthy combination of exercise, nutrition, and individual care for the stallions. He says, “This is a strong lineup, and we are proud to offer breedings to these exceptional horses.”
The Home Run Kid is a magnificent 2006 AQHA/PHBA palomino by Kids Classic Style and out of Woods Ebony Tease (Misters Tradition X Daughter of Sierre Te). He is HYPP N/N and his titles include Leading Sire, 2008 PHBA World Champion Open 2-Year-Old Stallion, 2008 PHBA World Champion, Amateur 2-Year-Old Champion, 2008 PHBA Premier Halter Stallion, and 2008 Bayer Select Reserve World Champion.
Intensions is a powerhouse 2010 AQHA/APHA red roan stallion by My Intention and out of Barlinkislebeastar. He is HYPP N/H and has the incredible legacy of being a five-time unanimous APHA Open World Champion and a five-time APHA Amateur World Champion. He won twenty-five times straight and is the only undefeated Paint Champion.
Kid Coolsified is a jaw-dropping, 2000 AQHA stallion by Kid Clusified out of Cloosie Coosa. This two-time World Champion and Congress Grand Champion has also produced multiple World and Reserve World Champions and Congress Champions. He is a well-respected APHA leading sire and ApHC leading sire and has been an AQHA leading sire for multiple years.
Ecredible is one of the best examples of the ideal Halter horse at Three Nails Ranch. He is a 2010 AQHA stallion by Mister Elusive and out of Lindy’s Little Secret. His long list of accolades includes 2014 AQHA World Champion Amateur Aged Stallion, 2014 AQHA Reserve World Champion Open Aged Stallion, 2013 AQHA World Champion 3-Year-Old Stallion, 2013 AQHA Reserve World Champion 3-Year-Old Amateur Stallion, two-time AQHA World Champion, two-time Reserve World Champion, three-time Congress Champion, Congress Grand Champion, two-time National Halter Champion, and World and Reserve World Producer.
Cali Baba is a 2012 jet-black AQHA stallion by Touchdown Call and out of Bob Bob Barann. He is NYPP N/H. He was the unanimous World Champion 2-Year-Old Stallion at the AQHA Select World and the Redbud Circuit Champion in 2014.
Show Stoppa is a 2011 cherry sorrel by CRS Gold Nugget and out of Cry Cry Cry, by CK Kid. He is eligible for the WCHA and has other futurity eligibility pending.
Jarrell is proud of the fact that even when the stallions are on a three-day-a-week collection schedule, the team at Three Nails Ranch ensures they are fit and show-ready. “They look good enough to be pulled from the breeding shed and be contenders in any competition. We work hard to make sure their nutrition and conditioning are the best. They get plenty of time to relax and play in their turnouts when the job is done. When breeding season is over, they will have earned their right to play in the sun. A healthy horse is a happy horse, and that combination creates high quality semen with longevity and motility,” he says.
Jarrell also gives credit for the success rate in the show pen and breeding barn at Three Nails Ranch to the veterinarians and assistants at Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery Clinic in Weatherford, Texas. “Breeding season is hard work and they have been as dedicated as we are to ensure the quality and shelf-life of the semen we collect. Dr. Skeet Gibson, Dr. Weston Warnock, Dr. Ty Tipton and assistant Hailey Gill have been great to work with,” he continues.
Three Nails Ranch produces young horses for Pinto, Paint, Palomino, Buckskin and Quarter Horse competition, and all foals are futurity nominated. This year, the ranch is expecting upwards of 30 foals and Jarrell is present at every delivery. He anticipates an exceptional foal crop as a result of the careful research and effort that goes into their breeding program.
“We have a good selection of choices for buyers who want horses with solid pedigrees and proven successes in their bloodlines. We want to give every one of our horses the best possible start for a successful competition career,” Jackson says.
That starts with a hands-on approach to foaling out. “I pretty much sleep on a couch in the barn during foaling season,” Jarrell says. “No foal cameras for me. I want to be right there for every one. Every youngster is started off with careful, gentle handling from the day they are foaled. I’m very excited about the quality of this foal crop. It’s my dream to be able to breed the best horses of exceptional quality.”
Jarrell and the team at Three Nails Ranch offer individualized concierge service to prospective clients. They work with every customer to insure they find the right horse for their goals. This dedicated horseman will be on the road with the Ranch’s show string as soon as breeding season is over. “We scaled back on competition a bit in 2014 to concentrate on developing the breeding program, but we still had a great year.”
Cali Baba, Billy and Suzonne’s 2011 buckskin mare that played matchmaker for Jarrell and Kate, was a 2014 AQHA World Champion and bronze winner at the Select World as well as unanimous Champion 3-Year Old Mare and Champion of Champions Halter Horse at the AQHA Novice Champion West. This elegant mare also earned a 2013 AQHA World Champion title in 2-Year-Old Mares, High Point Halter Mare title at the Sugar Bowl Classic, Amateur Open and High Point Mare titles at the San Angelo Stock Show, and other accolades.
Jarrell and the team at Three Nails Ranch are looking forward to the continued success and growth of their program. Jarrell says, “As soon as breeding season and foaling season are over, the stallions will get to rest, and we will be on the show circuit and working with our young horses. We are planning to attend all of the big events and we are still working on a date for an open house this summer.”
Jarrell balances his busy life on the ranch with hunting, especially with his daughter Nicole. In addition to the equine side of Three Nails Ranch, Billy and Suzonne also have a thriving hunting business. Guided packages include hunts for white tail deer as well as exotics like Scimitar Horned Oryx, Aoudad, Black Hawaiian Sheep, Texas Dall Sheep, black buck antelope, axis deer and fallow deer.
For more information on breeding, sales, training or coaching at Three Nails Ranch, check them out on Facebook or visit their website at: www.threenailsequine.com
email: jjacksonshowhorses@yahoo.com
Telephone 318-348-3892
For information on guided hunts at the Ranch visit: www.3nailsranch.com.
