I got to interview Jim Zinser today, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’m working on a piece about the incredible bloodlines he developed over the course of owning J-Bar-J Rodeo. It’s quite amazing what Zinser has brought to the world of ProRodeo, and it’s hard to believe it’s been four years since he sold the rodeo company.

Still, the legacy continues. Zinser told me there were 29 horses at the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo that carried his classic J-J brand. Many of those were sired by the great Night Jacket.

This is going to be a fun piece to write, because Jim and Maggie Zinser have been around rodeo for so many years. Stock contractors who carry the legacies of the Zinser bloodlines once rode those Zinser horses, which is how they knew so much about the Michigan-based firm.

In my job, I oftentimes get to visit with some of the greatest athletes in ProRodeo history. Today I got to visit with one of the makers of great athletes.

That’s another awesome blessing.