Jo Ellard (1984-present)
EE Ranches, Inc. President and Founder
“Horses are my God-Given passion. Whether it’s your horse, my horse, or a recipient mare, I care about them. At EE Ranches, Inc. we provide the best of everything it takes to insure that every horse has the opportunity for a great future.”
In 2002, EE Ranches opened a new chapter by developing a state-of-the-art Stallion Station, 75 miles north of Dallas/Ft. Worth. Jo’s desire to provide the performance horse world a premier Stallion Station to board and manage stallions, mares, foals, and horses in training was realized. Jo has maintained a hands-on involvement in both the stallion station and the training facility. She has the final word on selection of stallions that stand at the farm, the determination of the mating of EE Ranch mares and the placement and purchase of horses at auction. Jo works closely with the EE Ranches staff to ensure the foals and yearlings embark on the best possible path, whether that path leads to the EE training program or to a select sale. “I have a personal relationship with every stallion owner, every mare owner, every owner who has a horse in training; their success in this business is my first priority.”
Jo Ellard is the youngest person ever inducted into the NCHA Member Hall of Fame, being recognized for her 10 year commitment to developing the National Youth Cutting Horse Association and serving as the NCHA Youth Chairman. Jo is currently serving her 18th year on the NCHA Board of Directors and has served on the Stallion Owners Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Youth Committee, and Limited Age Committee.
Chris Stephens
Director of Operations and Stallion Syndicate Manager
“Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.” A quote that stands behind everything we do here at EE Ranches, Inc. “We do it right and we do it with integrity.”
Chris Stephens grew up in the registered Hereford cattle business and has a vast working knowledge of the complex organizational and management needs associated with running multi ranching operations. In addition to the Stallion Station, EE Ranches, Inc. also includes registered Hereford and Angus cattle operations in Kansas and Mississippi, along with the cutting horse training division, located in Pilot Point, Texas and an alfalfa hay farm in Wheatland, Wyoming. Chris graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2002. He served as the Director of the Hereford Youth Foundation and Director of Youth Activities with the American Hereford Association for eight years, and served as the Development Director for the Kansas State University Foundation before coming on board at EE Ranches.
Guy Woods (1988 to Present)
Resident Trainer and Manager of Training Division
“Every Horse is an individual and I try to figure out what the horse requires to maximize its performance potential. It is always a different journey to a trained horse”
Guy Woods, an Australian has been with EE Ranches, Inc. for 22 years as the resident cutting horse trainer. Guy has trained and shown EE bred horses that have won in excess of $2,500,000.00. Guy is an NCHA Hall of Fame Rider. Guy credits his dad, Wally Woods, Australia’s Four Time All-Around Champion Cowboy for instilling in him a tremendous work ethic and superb knowledge of horses and horsemanship. Guy has garnered EE Ranches numerous championships in major cutting horse events, including Two NCHA Derby Open Championships, Three AQHA World Junior Cutting Titles, and Eleven NCHA National Championship Titles and wins in NCHA approved aged events throughout the country.
Steve Adams (2002-present)
Stallion Station and Breeding Manager
“The continued success of a first class breeding program is dependent on client communication and a highly dedicated staff determined to do whatever is necessary to achieve the goals we set.”
Being raised in the fertile cattle country of north Texas, Steve had no choice but to develop a love of horses and the western lifestyle at a very early age. He graduated from Tarleton State University with a degree in equine management. And set the course for his successful future in breeding and reproduction. In the fall of 1997, Steve accepted an offer to manage a breeding facility that focused solely on cutting horses. It was during this time that Steve was able to pursue courses at Colorado State University in embryo transfer and frozen semen as well as return to his roots of the working horse. Steve came to work for EE Ranches, Inc. in the fall of 2002, shortly after the original land for the stallion station was acquired. Steve was involved in the planning and construction process and laid the framework for the breeding program which began in 2003. He is in charge of client communication and with the help of a highly trained staff, oversees the premier breeding program in the cutting horse industry. Steve has vast knowledge of equine reproduction and is highly respected by his peers and clients. Dedication, integrity, communication and progressive thinking are the cornerstones on which EE Ranches, Inc. was built.
Kim Adams (2002-present)
Stallion Station Office Manager
“I believe in working with integrity and honesty when it comes to dealing with our clients.”
Kim started working with her husband Steve 14 years ago in the office. Prior to working in the equine breeding field, Kim worked in mortgage banking. Both businesses are very much client and customer service oriented and their success depends on a great first impression. Kim loves talking with all of our clients as well as welcoming new clients to the EE Ranches, Inc.
Jessie Dube
Mare and Foal Manager
“Being passionate about what you do on a daily basis is essential and I can honestly say I look forward to the work I do every day, knowing that I am doing something that I love.”
Jessie was raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Wyoming. She first attended Iowa State University and then transferred to Utah State University to major in equine science and management. Prior to graduation from Utah State, Jessie spent two summers working at Flying H Polo Ranch in Big Horn, Wyoming. While attending Utah State University, Jessie completed a six month internship program with EE Ranches, Inc. During her senior year, Jessie served as a teaching assistant in the equine department at Utah State and worked as a student manager of the Equine Education Center on campus.