Meet the BDF Team
Megan Barnes
Owner, Head Trainer, Barn Manager
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Megan Barnes has been riding and training horses her whole life and breeding them for over 20 years. From Sport Ponies to Cow horses, they are all her passion and she has dedicatied her life to learning everything she can about them as well as teaching that knowledge. She is in it for "the horse" and to teach people how to get the best out of their horse through better communication with them. Megan was born with the "horse bug" and has compiled a lifetime of knowledge from 4-H and FFA as a child showing in the English, Western, and Trail as well as training off the track thoroughbreds and starting colts. She didn't have the luxury of buying a finished horse so she learned all she could and developed a feel and touch of training her own. She has competed successfully in the rein/cow and cutting, eventing, dressage, and even Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Racing. She has shown at the World level as well as competed in the Open class at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity on a horse she bred and trained. Many horses on the farm are a third generation of her breeding and training program. There really isn't much she hasn't done with horses. She has over four years as a veterinary assistant, and a Bachelor degree in Equine Science from Fresno State University. She had a dream of breeding athletic horses that were trainable and nice to ride in various disciplines and she did just that. Over the years she has stood many stallions and bred and raised several West Coast Champions in the USEA Future Event Horse and these horses and ponies went on to do very well in competition. She has an eye for nicking horses and loves older blood in her breeding program. She is currently training and breeding rein/cow horses at the highest level and is very excited about the future. She loves her family and accredits her success to hard work, honesty, and the support of her friends and family! She loves working hard at the barn with her horses, trail riding, being with family, archery, writing, gardening, and hiking.
Lance Barnes
Owner, Beekeeper, Head Ranch Hand, Archery Technician
Lance Barnes has spent most of his life in the small mountain town of Ahwahnee and Oakhurst; the home of the lower entrance to Yosemite National Park. He grew up backpacking the high country trails throughout Yosemite and can navigate all the roads off the beaten path. In the past he has hiked Mt. Whitney three times, was an avid snowmobiler, hunter, fisherman, and worked construction. To this day he still enjoys hunting and fishing but has found a new passion in competitive archery, beekeeping, and rein cow horses. He is a hard working family man working for the family construction company, fixing, building, and maintaining anything and everything around the farm, and he can build anything! Lance keeps a large quantity of beehives and is very passionate about beekeeping, striving to learn everything there is to know about their husbandry and quality of life. He not only sells honey and pollinates orchards, he is on call for bee removal/rescue and cutouts. Staying true to his know-how about fixing anything, he is also available for bow tune ups with all the knowledge and tools to set your bow up to get the best out of it! He competes in nationally sanctioned archery competitions and is something he enjoys with his whole family. Lance is very passionate about the American Quarter Horse and assists his wife at the barn any chance he gets. He works with the young stock or helps keep the older ones legged up. He has a way with horses and they really respond well to his kind nature and attention to detail. There isn't much this man can't do and if he ever came accross something new, watch out because it wont take long for him to figure it out!
Kelly Barnes
Pee wee goat wrangler, Equine desensitizing, professional honey sampler
Kelly may be the youngest family member, but she works just as hard as her parents and siblings! She helps feed and grain all the horses and clean stalls every day. She greets everyone who comes over with a smile and of course you will find her walking her goat "Marble" daily! She recently took Marble the Madera Fair where she won her first belt buckle in the 5 and under Pee-wee division! She will spend hours in the arena leading around goats while her Mom is riding horses. She always says she is "training them" and will jump them over obstacles too! She greatly enjoys riding herself and is very passionate about horses and all animals. Wonder is her favorite horse. This kid loves her frogs too and finds them all over! Kelly plays soccer and has so much fun with her four siblings. She is already an avid archer, having competed in numerous archery competitions in the pee-wee division! She can shoot her bow all by herself and has multiple first place metals; she will be one to watch in the future! She loves to help fix things and of course her favorite treat is a spoonful of fresh honey from Dad's bees!
Travis Bittle
Barn Hand, Goat wrangler, Media Help, Iris grower, 4-H and NFAA Member
Travis is so passionate about everything he does; when he sets his mind to do something he puts his heart and soul into it. He loves helping with the goats, especially the kids, as well as the horses. He enjoys riding now and then and working with the horses on the ground joining up with them. Travis enjoys helping with the honey extraction and growing the iris on the farm. He really lights up when he gets to help with taking videos or photos of the horses. He loves learning about the business aspects of the farm and how to market the honey and Iris as well as helping to sell a horse or goat. Travis's ideas for improving things or new inventions are endless. Travis is always upbeat about everything and so supportive of his Mom and her passion to show horses. Travis always believes in his family and is encouraging to all. He loves riding his bike, camping, building legos, playing soccer, baseball, school sports and is on the school honor roll! He is in the Raymond 4-H where he shows his sheep. He competes in archery competitions in the youth division where he does well. I see big plans for Travis's future.
Gauge Barnes
Barn Hand, Goat wrangler, Junior beekeeper, 4-H and NFAA member
There isn't much this boy can't do! He is attention to detail and a wonderful help all around the Farm! Gauge is kind with all animals and awesome help with the goats and horses. He is a member of the Raymond 4-H where he shows his sheep and enters our Farm's honey that he helped with all year long. He is such a hard worker and helps his Dad with the hives, equipment, and all aspects with beekeeping. He has learned a lot over the years and is very capable. Gauge loves to play soccer, baseball and all the sports through his school. He is on the Gold Honor roll and an avid reader. Gauge successfully competes in archery competitions in the youth division as well as enjoys shooting his bow at home. Gauge also enjoys riding his bike, camping, fishing, and anything outdoors! The world is open for this young man; we can't wait to see where his dreams take him.
Zane Barnes
Barn hand, Goat Wrangler, Media Help, 4-H and NFAA Member
Zane is wonderful help around the barn and often gets up early to help grain. He has an eye for noticing specifics and this paired with his kindness for animals will take him very far in life. The way he thinks about something is so unique and it makes us all look at things in different ways. He loves to help with videos and photos of the farm. Zane is a member of the Raymond 4-H where he shows his lamb and has raised ducks in the past. Zane likes camping, fishing, Legos, running, riding his bike, playing soccer, school sports, and baseball. He is very talented in track and there is no doubt he could get a scholarship in it! He competes in archery competitions and does very well. He is also on the school honor roll. He loves spending time with family and friends and enjoys being Grandpas Sous-chef on family dinner nights. Zane loves going out on adventures in the buggy too. With his viewpoint he is bound to change the world for the better; we look forward to seeing what his future holds.
Nicole Bittle
Goat wrangler, Barn and horse helper, Honey Bottling assistant, 4-H and NFAA member
Nicole is a very hard worker who loves to help in any way she can! She has a passion for animals and they all respond well to her caring demeanor. Nicole is a wonderful help during our goat kidding season, assisting right alongside her Mom! She owns her own goats and works with them frequently. She has plans of growing her goat business. Nicole is a member of Raymond 4-H where she shows her bantam chickens, goats, and sheep. She loves to ride her horse Ember and is a great rider. She gets up early to help with barn chores whenever she can. Nicole plays soccer, loves camping, riding her bike, swimming, is a member of the garden club and choir at her school, on the school honor roll, loves to show at the local Iris show with her beautiful Iris we grow on the Farm, and loves to spend time with her family and friends. Nicole also competes with her family at archery competitions and loves to help decap, spin, and bottle honey...even if she's not a huge fan of eating it! This girl has a beautiful soul and will brighten a room with her smile; we always tell her to dream big!