10/08/2026
From the Merritt Archives | James King Merritt III
(Chip, Chippy, JKM3, Skippy Beaujolais, Rex, Chip Daddy, Chipster, King, Chip off the ol’ Cow Turd)
Alright folks, hold onto your hats! “WOWIE ZOWIE!”Today’s Throwback Thursday is dedicated to the birthday boy himself — Chip Merritt. 🤠
A couple of years ago, a pretty special young man graced this earth, and that would be Chip Merritt. And in 75 years, we’re pretty sure nobody else has mastered the art of being quite that funny and quite that grumpy at the exact same time. He can have you laughing one minute and wondering what you did wrong the next. It’s a talent, really. 😂
The honest truth is, who knows where Merritt Quarter Horses would be without him — or where a whole lot of us would be!
He’s the foundation, the blood, sweat, tears, and the ever-present reminder that “DAYLIGHTS BURNIN’!” And if we aren’t moving fast enough, we “shoulda been 10 miles from here at a high lope!” If there’s work to be done, you can bet he’ll find some for you. And if there isn’t? “Go pick up sticks!” 📢
Over the years, Chip has given us plenty of good horses, good stories, and enough Chipisms to fill a book. When his infamous tuna fish sandwiches are too hot, you’ll hear a good “HOT TAMALE CALE!” followed by “HATCHEHULALA!” 😂 When he finally finds his cup, it’s “Happy Days Are Here Again” — a tune dating clear back to 1930 — followed by, “That’s a good little toe tappin’ tune.” 🎶
And when the answer to something is just a little too complicated, you might hear, “Can you just read it and give me a summary?” Or, better yet, “Get on that little box and Google…” 📲
He’s been known to call a wild mare a “sow,” tell somebody to “go play in the traffic,” and, on the rare occasion he might be wrong, admit, “Well, maybe I’m all wet then.” And heaven help the poor soul who gets in his way— “What’s this twister doin’?” 🌪️
🐈 We also spent a good while wondering if Chip might actually be a cat. After all, he’s been through enough dangerous wrecks and close calls to make us think he’d used up all nine lives by now. But somehow, he keeps coming out the other side! At this point, he’s well past nine lives, and we’re not entirely sure what kind of animal we’re dealing with. Whatever it is, we’re happy about it. (We’ll just call it the Chip Merritt phenomenon). 🪄
He’s raised two great boys, is a wonderful brother and has kept everyone on their toes for 75 years, and has been giving his sister Heidi a hard time since the day she was born. Poor Heidi! And now he’s asking Ella if she wants to “go to town and chase boys.” We probably ought to keep an eye on that one. 🤦♀️
He’s the man who taught us to work hard, appreciate a good horse, and never waste daylight. He’s also the man who once said, “I woke up in a cold sweat thinking about teaching children.” Which might tell you everything you need to know about Chip.
The Chipisms could go on forever — from “Break and run” to “Goodly done.” There’s never a shortage of entertainment around him.
He’s probably going to be mad that we’re putting all these pictures out there, but that’s just too bad. You don’t turn 75 every day, and it’s only right to celebrate the man behind so much of this family’s history.
Happy 75th, Chip! 🤎 Here’s to more good horses, more good stories, and hopefully many more years of keeping the rest of us moving. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you.
And most importantly, here’s to being “healthy, wealthy and wise!”
And remember, folks… DAYLIGHTS BURNIN’!
