In the 80's, Sparky and Marlene bought 30 head of bucking horses from Harlan Gunville of Eagle Butte, SD to start their herd. Red Lizard was one of the original stud horses that was purchased from Harlan and he is the foundation of the original blood lines. Sparky began producing PRCA rodeos in 2005. In 2008, Sparky and Marlene purchased J Bar J Ranch from Jim and Maggie Zinser of Clare, Michigan and began producing rodeos as J Bar J, Inc. Jim and Maggie started their breeding program with a $150 riding stable mare named Nighmare. That purchase became the most important part of their breeding program. The legendary Nightjacket is a grandson of Nightmare, which is the foundation stud for many current J Bar J horses. In 2009, Jim and Maggie sold Nightjacket for a record $200,000 to Cullen Pickett. In 2023, Nightjacket was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO. J Bar J is a 3 time (2010, 2014, 2022) PRCA Remuda Award winner, this award is given annually to the stock contrator that provides the best, most consistent pen of bucking horses. Recently Sparky was inducted into the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. J Bar J stives to be the Best Show on Dirt.
