
Meet Our Team
"A happy well-cared for horse will have a long successful career."
- Doug Milholland
Splitwater Ranch is proud of our world-class reining team who bring their decades of experience to our ranch. A family affair, they all work tirelessly to raise and develop high-end performance horses. The horses are bred and treated with thoughtful care to have both the talent to perform their jobs well and to love their work for life.

Ranch Owner & Visionary
Angie Merriman
Angie’s love for horses began in childhood in rural Missouri, where she’d sneak out at night to ride a neighbor’s horse—until her father finally bought her one of her own. That early passion has come full circle, and she now lives on a ranch in Gypsum, Colorado with too many horses. Angie enjoys trail riding along the Eagle River, the occasional arena ride, and is dedicated to breeding top-tier performance Quarter Horses. During foaling season, she can often be found in pajamas and muck boots helping deliver foals alongside Brooke and Dr. Kari. She plays a key role in keeping Splitwater Ranch running smoothly. Angie spent much of her adult life in California working in mortgage banking and advertising, and still enjoys visits to her home in Manhattan Beach. She’s also the proud mother of two daughters, Grace and Whitney.

Ranch Owner & Rider
Dwight Merriman
Dwight has spent his career buying, building, and selling commercial real estate across the U.S., including working with several fund formation companies. When he’s not chasing deals, he enjoys fly fishing, hunting, skiing, mountain biking, and raising horses. He grew up riding trail horses for hunting and fishing, following in the footsteps of grandfathers. Dwight shares his passion for horses with his wife, Angie, and was introduced to reining by friends in California. He now competes in Green Reiner and Rookie Level classes and considers reining one of the most humbling sports he's tried. Originally from Northern California, Dwight attended USC and UCLA and has deep roots in both California and Montana. He’s called the Colorado mountains home for over 15 years and thrives in the active, outdoor lifestyle they offer.

Ranch Manager & Head Trainer
Doug Milholland
Doug Milholland has been a prominent figure in the performance horse industry for over fifty years. An NRHA Hall of Fame inductee, he has won the NRHA Open Futurity, NRHA Open Derby, and multiple AQHA World Championships. Doug has dedicated his career to promoting the sport of reining, mentoring both non-professional and professional horsemen and horsewomen around the world. In addition to his success as a trainer and a breeder, he serves as an NRHA judge, AQHA specialty reining judge, and is a respected and sought-after clinician. The man is a legend and treats everyone and every horse with an open heart and mind.

Breeding Manager & Trainer
Brooke Milholland Culwell
Brooke Milholland, daughter of renowned horseman, Doug Milholland, has deep roots in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), having competed in youth and Non-Pro divisions. With a heritage steeped in equestrian excellence, Brooke brings extensive experience in breeding and showing reining horses. Before joining Splitwater Ranch, she successfully established her own breeding program under her father's guidance and has had her horses go on to work with top names in the industry. At Splitwater Ranch, Brooke plays a pivotal role in developing their premier breeding program. Her expertise and dedication make her an invaluable asset to our team, and we are proud to have her at Splitwater Ranch.

Operations Manager
David Culwell
David Culwell entered the horse industry through his marriage to Brooke, Doug's daughter, transforming his initial hobby into a dedicated pursuit of the reining industry. Prior to joining the Splitwater team he successfully operated his large millwork company for over thirty years; his extensive business experience and exceptional memory have become invaluable assets to our team. David applies his strategic insights and detailed attention to every aspect of our operations, from breeding to horse show logistics, greatly enhancing our program's efficiency and success. Always smiling, he leads with an open helping hand.

Team Support
Valerie Milholland
Having been by Doug’s side from the beginning, Valerie Milholland is an integral part of our team, offering a wealth of expertise from her distinguished career in the performance horse industry. With a proven track record of success across various disciplines, Valerie has also demonstrated exceptional coaching abilities and guided several students to achieve world championship titles. Her decades of experience and extensive knowledge are invaluable assets to our program, enhancing our daily operations and overall excellence. She brings her joy to the ranch and to all of our lives.

Stable Operations
Jose Perez
Jose has been a dedicated team member at Splitwater Ranch for over three years, where he is responsible for the animal's daily care while doing everything from feeding the horses to basic medical care and barn maintenance. With expertise as a farrier, he cares for the foals and broodmares. Jose consistently contributes to the ranch's operations by offering assistance wherever he is needed. Jose enjoys roping competitions in his free time.
Our Extended Team

Veterinarian - Roaring Fork Equine
Dr. Kari Bevevino
Dr. Kari Bevevino, a board-certified large animal internal medicine specialist, earned her DVM from Texas A&M University and completed a fellowship in Equine Ultrasonography and Cardiology. After graduating from CSU, Dr. Bevevino worked as a breeding manager of the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. She joined Roaring Fork Equine Medical Center in 2021, with special interests in equine cardiology, neonatology, ultrasonography, and sports medicine.

Professional Trainer - Warren Performance Horses
Devin Warren
Devin rode Splitwater’s amazing stallion, Wwwdotgunnawhoaya, at the 2024 NRHA Futurity and won the Level 2 Reserve Open Championship. Devin has coached several World Champion Non-Pro teams throughout his career and takes immense pride in helping others achieve their equine dreams in the showpen. His wife, Jolene Warren, runs their breeding program which prioritizes creating horses with exceptional potential, carefully matching top bloodlines from their broodmares with industry-leading sires.

Professional Trainer - Poplin Performance Horses
Bub Poplin
Bub Poplin, co-founder of Poplin Performance Horses in Western Colorado, has over thirty years of experience in the performance horse industry alongside his wife, Becky. Specializing in training Futurity and Derby prospects, Bub is dedicated to helping horses and non-pro riders achieve their full potential while emphasizing excellence and commitment beyond competition and winning. Bub has ridden Splitwater's exceptional mare, Xtra Vintagemahogany, to many titles and awards in the Level 4 Open.

Veterinarian - Roaring Fork Equine
Dr. Megan Lamb
Dr. Megan Lamb, a board-certified equine surgeon, grew up on her parents’ Thoroughbred breeding farm in Ocala, Florida, and trained in A-circuit hunters, eventing, and dressage. She completed her surgical internship and residency, earned a master’s degree from Virginia Tech, and now specializes in emergency surgery and cancer treatment at the Roaring Fork Valley Equine Medical Center.

Breeding - Vista Equine
Jake Dahl
Jake Dahl co-founded Vista Equine Colorado, LLC in 2011, specializing in equine reproduction and nationally recognized for their Embryo Transfer Program. With extensive experience managing breeding farms, Jake is committed to providing superior-quality recipient mares, high pregnancy rates, and outstanding customer service.

Genetech
Thiago Boechat
Thiago Boechat, co-founder of GeneTech Animal Reproduction, is a veterinary graduate from Unoeste in São Paulo with extensive experience in reining horse training and competition. He previously co-founded and managed Xtra Quarter Horses and is a two-time World Reining Champion.
