History of the 9B Ranch

Raising and providing Quality Quarter Horses for over 40 years, the 9B Ranch is located among the fertile fields of Northeast Louisiana and borders running along the banks of bayous and streams.

The 9B Ranch has had a history of producing strong and competitive horses and riders. Dating back to the early 1960's when Dayton and Pat Brown kicked off their love affair with raising and riding competition-level quarter horses. During this time Dayton and Pat traveled across the United States competing and winning in cuttings as far away as Utah. The official story of how the 9B Ranch was named is also listed at the bottom of this page.

The First Generation

Dayton Brown: True Cowboy. True Pioneer.

He carried himself with confidence and an understanding and commitment to family, country life and common sense. He also had a knack for finding good horses. He believed in certain types of horses that were athletic and had attitude. Dayton Brown finished among the national leaders on several occasions as he and Pat became fixtures on the cutting horses circuit. Dayton Brown passed away in 1994 and is missed by all who knew him. His lasting legacy lives on today in the generations that follow. He taught us well.

Pat Brown: True Cutting Horse Believer.

Pat Brown had an eye for good quarter horse talent. She also was the perfect match for Dayton as she held the love of cutting horses and deep admiration for the cutting horse industry and its people. Pat also helped develop horses with her sons Frank and Walter Earnest breaking and training along the way. She traveled and participated in competitive cutting for decades. She also served as an officer in the Northeast Louisiana Cutting Horse Association. She was highly competitive in several cutting events. Pat Brown lives in West Monroe and owns the 9B Ranch.

The Second Generation

Frank Earnest

Frank Earnest is the son of Pat Brown. He got his start at the 9B Ranch and has long been a strong outdoorsman and is known as an expert with his hands. He has many inventions to his name and is an expert welder, craftsman, developer and mechanical genius.

Walter Earnest

Walter Earnest took to horses and gave a big part of his career to training and working with great horses. Walter had an extensive career in training for some of the great names like Matlock Rose and others all over Texas. He has 30 years in and around cutting horses. Walter now lives in the Bryan, Texas area and raises cattle with his wife wonderful wife, Carol.

Mike Brown

Mike Brown is Ranch Manager and caretaker as the major force behind the restoration and revitalization of the 9B Ranch. Mike resides on the ranch and has developed horses past and present. Mike has a significant knowledge of quality quarter horses and directs the 9B Ranch horse program on a day to day basis. Mike has horses at the 9B and is a good person to speak with about any horses you see on this web site or any questions you have about the 9B. Mike lives on the 9B Ranch with his wonderful wife, Shirley.

The Third Generation

Sam Earnest

Walter's oldest son, Sam, was next in the line of cowboys as he was raised by his grandparents, Dayton and Pat Brown on the 9B Ranch.

Sam Earnest had the ability to ride any horse and face any challenge. Sam showed competitively through high school and to this day is competitive in riding and roping in the Paris, Texas area. Sam also attended McNeese State University on a rodeo scholarship and competed through collegiate circles. Sam also had talent to pick and raise good stock. He was always interested in horses and showing competitively from a very early age. He rode cutting horses and later found a love for roping too. Sam resides in Paris, Texas where he raises cattle and is a horse owner. He lives with his wonderful wife, Lynn.

Lee Fletcher  (1966-2009)

Lee Fletcher was also raised by Dayton and Pat Brown on the 9B Ranch at the same time as Sam Earnest. Lee came to love horses under the tutorship of Dayton and Pat Brown. He learned all he knows about horses, livestock and the ranch from Dayton and Pat. He is active to this day and a major part of the revitalization of the 9B Ranch. Lee is interested in development of breeding stock and seeking high quality broodmares. He also has brought in one very well bred stallion and is seeking another at this time. Lee resides in Monroe where he owns and runs The Fletcher Group (a marketing firm) and is also the host of The Town Hall Show that airs on KMLB 1440 AM from 5 to 6 pm on weekdays. He is constantly adding to the quality of livestock at the current 9B Ranch.

Brandon Brown

Brandon Brown is the son of Mike Brown. He also has established an interest in horses and currently maintains his horses at the 9B Ranch. Brandon lives in Monroe and is married to his lovely wife, Meredith

How did the 9B Ranch get its famous name?

The official story is that Dayton Brown and Pat Brown were buying an electric branding iron from Sears and Roebuck for their new parcel of property which would later be named the 9B Ranch. They had developed a brand that included a "P" for Pat and "B" for Brown. Dayton Brown was crafting a diagram of the brand that combined the P and B for their anticipated new brand. On the design sheet he submitted to Sears and Roebuck he hand drew the outlines and submitted the drawn brand. However, when the actual brand came in the drawing he had sent in was read to put the P in a backward position which resembled a 9 instead of a P. The couple did not have enough money to order another electric branding iron for a reported sum of $54. Thus sticking with the reverse P and adopting what visually came to be known as the 9B.