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Pitzer Ranch

Cowboy on brown horse roping black calf at Ranch Horse Invitational event in indoor arena
Team Roping JournalFeb 12, 2026

Pitzer Ranch
Ericson, Nebraska
308-653-2134

Some of the best horses in professional rodeo carry Pitzer Ranch bloodlines, from Guy Allen’s Steer Horses of the Year, Jack Bart Tender and Two D Ole Man, to Jim Burks’ three-time Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year, FF Zans A Baron Jack, to Chad Masters’ gold-buckle head horse, Ima Two Eyed Con. Joining that list is Clint Summers’ defending, two-time Head Horse of the Year, Mr Joes Shadow Bar.

“Joes are Hard to Come By” — Clint Summers Mr Joes Shadow Bar is Again Nutrena PRCA Head Horse of the Year

The ranch founded by Jim Brinkman’s grandfather Howard Pitzer has been raising using horses since the 1940s. It was his Hall-of-Fame stallion Two Eyed Jack that put the operation on the map. Five generations later, the extended family has bred and kept back the best of the “Jack lines” to cross on the best of today’s bloodlines. Thus, Pitzer Ranch stallions have already sired colts with Riata earnings topping $317,000.

Metallic Casanova represented the Pitzer Ranch at the cow horse portion of the Run for a Million in 2025. He was voted AQHA Fan Favorite and added another $6,000 to his LTE, putting him just over $210,000. His first foals were available to the public in 2025.

Two more “Jack-bred” stallions are perpetuating the old bloodline traits that have been so highly sought after. Dukes N Divas and Favorable Intentions are both Riata sires that were bred, raised and shown by Pitzer Ranch. Studs like this retain the all-around ability and physical toughness Pitzer Ranch horses are known for.

Herd of horses grazing in a lush pasture with ranch buildings and tree-lined hills in the background
2025 foals

At the ranch, more than 400 Pitzer Ranch broodmares provide the unique opportunity to breed to a wide variety of stallions for a number of disciplines. Whether it’s roping, barrel racing or the cow events, the broodmare band carries enough genetic diversity to offer several choices when it comes time for the biannual sales.

This year’s Pitzer Ranch Spring Sale will be held April 25, focusing heavily on the broke, ranch and rope horses. The 2026 Fall Production Sale lands on Sept. 4-5 and will offer stallions, broodmares and hundreds of weanlings that are eligible to compete for lucrative roping incentives.

Young exhibitor with horse and handler receive award at indoor rodeo arena with family and officials present
2025 HPI Champion High Brow Tripper

Plus, held just prior to the fall sale is the HP Ranch Horse Invitational, going into its 16th year and having paid out more than $1 million since its inception in 2011. Only 4- to 6-year-old horses sired by an exclusive list of Brinkman-approved studs are invited. Each must complete a ranch trail course and compete in cow sorting, barrel racing, heading and heeling. Last year’s champion, High Brow Tripper, was sired by Mia Browbeater—the same stallion that sired 2025 ARHFA 4-year-old heading finalist Catalena Joe.

The ranch’s mission is to breed good-looking, sound, good-minded, all-around performance horses. And its location in the vast Nebraska Sandhills means Pitzer horses have a strong foundation in ranch country.

Pitzer Ranch stud advertisement featuring collage of rodeo action photos including roping, barrel racing, and steer wrestling, with contact details and $1,500 stud fee

Riata Stallion Incentive promotional flyer featuring Metallic Casanova standing at stud for $2,000, with action photos of barrel racing, team roping, and breakaway roping competition

Read the 2026 Breeder’s Guide

This article was originally published on Team Roping Journal. View original article →

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