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John and Jeri Merryman first met a little over six years ago when John’s son and Jeri’s cousin conspired to introduce them at a business open house. Both Jeri and John’s mates had passed away, and they quickly began to enjoy each other’s company. Their wedding took place a short seven months later!
John’s profession as a former district manager for a major retail chain blessed him with great satisfaction in developing operational plans for new stores, and experiencing the excitement of opening day. John enjoys working with young people in his field and assisting them to become knowledgeable and successful in the retail business. John states he loved watching these people learn and grow. Jeri, a math teacher, with 29 years of experience, has enjoyed the opportunity to know some nine thousand students during her career as a teacher. Early in 1995 Jeri and John were enamored with a small ad in the Houston Chronicle about an Arabians Ltd. Farm Conference. "We first met the Merrymans," comments Jeff and Julie Rhodes, "in April of 1995 when they attended a Farm Conference we hold regularly at Hank and Sandy’s, DeShazer Arabians." John’s love for horses was quickly rekindled, and he and Jeri set out to select what would be their foundation straight Egyptian breeding stock. "Looking back," states John, "Jeri and I can’t remember what we used to do before we became breeders of Egyptian horses. It’s very much a focus in our lives and the horses bring us great pleasure each and every day." To date, the Merryman’s have produced three lovely straight Egyptian foals. The first was a colt sired by The Minstril out of the beautiful daughter Ruminaja Ali, Kalila. As a yearling that colt was acquired by the Sonny Detmar family. "We were especially excited about the Detmar’s acquisition of this young colt," states Jeri Merryman. "We are big football fans and Sonny’s sons, Ty and Coy, are quarterbacks for the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s amazing to both John and myself the incredible diversity of the interesting people that we have met through our love of Egyptian Arabian horses." |
"Our second foal born was a lovely filly, also out of Kalila, and this time sired by the Israeli import *Shahir ISAB. Angie Reynolds of Mississippi has recently purchased Halima Gemal. Angie and Arabians Ltd. Trainer, Shawn Crews, have been conspiring quite an extensive show career for this young filly.
"We thought it would be really tough to let our babies go," states Jeri Merryman. "As we met those individuals who have acquired our foals, we realize we’ve not lost the babies, we’ve gained dear friends, and never lose touch with either." "John and I are looking forward to three foals next season, two sired by *Shahir ISAB, and one by the exciting young Arabians Ltd. Stallion, The Elixir. We are also part of the Infidel Group. Nothing has been more exciting than attending the shows to cheer on this young stallion. Thee Infidel was sired by the 1994 Reserve National Champion Stallion, Thee Desperado, and out of none other than Ruminaja Ali’s dam, Bint Magidaa. Never in a million years would we have dreamed that we could be involved as owners with a stallion of such a promising future. We have enjoyed every moment of his exciting show career and look forward to his babies in the future." Jim and Judy Sirbasku, owners of Arabians Ltd. are especially fond of the Merrymans. "We’ve become close friends," states Judy. "At first, I was hesitant to part with several of our very best producing mares. Today as I watch the Merrymans produce top quality foals that are not only fiercely competitive individuals, but successful in the marketplace, I could not be prouder of the accomplishments the Merrymans have experienced as a result of their association with Arabians Ltd. The Merrymans are wonderful people, cherished friends and have evolved into dedicated and talented breeders of straight Egyptian Arabians." |
