ArizonaRealCountry.com 25 March 2018 Featuring Miller Fence & Barns advertiser highlight Ph oto by Ma tt Co he n MILLER FENCE & BARNS is owned by Shannon and Chelsea Miller who with 16+ years of fencing experience completely understand the needs and wants of horse owners being horse owners themselves. Shannon, a professional Bareback Rider since 2001, ended his rodeo career and decided to start his own fencing company full time here in the Valley. We got Shannon to answer a few questions for us. Bareback riders endure more abuse, suffer more injuries and carry away more long-term damage than all other rodeo cowboys. It’s been compared to riding a jackhammer with one hand. You have broken 60 bones. What inspires you? Back when I was competing as a professional Bareback rider my main inspiration was having the opportunity to stand side by side with and compete against the best in the world! It was a great honor and provided years of experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m competitive by nature and thrive to be the best at whatever I do. I had my hip replaced in 2015 which was the official end of my bareback riding days. I would like to think that that standard of working to be the best has carried with me not only into my business and business practices but into my team roping career as well. I want people to be inspired and impressed by the work that we do. A wise person (my wife) once told me “there is always room at the top”. I try to function from that space in whatever it is I do. How long have you made Arizona your home? I first called Arizona my home from ‘04’ – ‘07’. I moved back to Arizona in 2013 and met my wife Chelsea. We have called Arizona our home ever since. How did you two meet? Rodeo. If you were to get rid of one state which would it be and why? Rodeo allowed me and my Corgi dog “Button” the opportunity to visit literally every state in the U.S., so that is a loaded question... simplistically I would have to say that they all have their good and bad. I don’t have the desire to live in some, but wouldn’t necessarily get rid of any. Funniest thing that has happened to you lately? Gertie! Gertie is our new French Bulldog, and let me tell you... She is pretty darn funny! She and our Mini Blue Heeler, Willis, provide for pretty good comedic entertainment. Best advice you can give someone regarding fencing? Heavy Duty – Quality materials that last the customer long-term and attention to detail have been the building blocks for my business. Strangest thing in your truck? An ice scraper for my windshield?? It may not be strange, but it certainly doesn’t have much use in these parts.  What song best describes your work ethic? On a rare occasion, I feel like “Take This Job and Shove It” is singing straight to my soul, LOL!! The rest of the time it’s “40 Hour Week” by Alabama. I believe in working hard, having pride in what you do and appreciating other people’s hard work in the process.