Our Story
We’re JR and Emeri Rosa, the husband-and-wife team behind Homestead Horsemanship. Rooted in faith, family, and a deep love for horses, we’ve built a life in the Missouri Ozarks where we raise and train Missouri Fox Trotters and Clydesdales. What started as a dream has become a journey of hard work, restoration, and sharing the beauty of rural life with others.
The Foundation of Our Horsemanship: Roots & Love
We are JR and Emeri Rosa, husband and wife, and the proud founders of Homestead Horsemanship. Together, we raise and care for Missouri Fox Trotters and Clydesdales with a deep respect for tradition and horsemanship. JR specializes in training each horse with patience, skill, and a commitment to developing strong, willing partnerships between horse and rider. Through our social media platforms, we share more than just the stories of our horses — we offer a glimpse into the everyday life we live alongside them, highlighting the connection, care, and commitment that define Homestead Horsemanship.
Horses have always been a central part of our lives. The love for riding and training was passed down from both our grandparents and parents, and now that same love lives on through our children—Mary, Rebekah, and Isaac.
Falling in Love—With Each Other and the Land
We didn’t always live on our 168-acre homestead nestled in the rolling hills of the Missouri Ozarks. To truly understand how Homestead Horsemanship came to be, we need to take a step back and share the journey that led us here.
In 1998, JR’s parents purchased a farm in the Ozarks—one of the most beautiful farms you’ll ever see. At the time, JR was a 16-year-old with big dreams of farm life and fell in love with the land immediately.
A few years later, Jr. and I met and fell in love. Much of our early relationship was spent exploring his family’s farm—and the long-abandoned one next door. On hot summer days, we’d ride horses through that neighboring property, following a well-worn trail down to a winding river.
Even though the land wasn’t legally ours, it felt like it belonged to us. Over time, we began to dream of building a life there—of one day calling it home.
A Dream Takes Root
Eventually, we leased the neighboring land to run a few cows, quietly nurturing a deeper connection to the place we had grown to love.
By 2013, we were living on a charming 10-acre property filled with beautiful memories. But as much as we cherished that chapter, we came to a realization—it wasn’t our forever home. Deep down, we knew we needed more room to grow, more land to live out the dream that had taken root in our hearts: a place where Jr. could fully pursue his passion for raising and training horses.
When no other properties became available, Jr. took a leap of faith and approached the owner of that old, beloved farm. It felt like a long shot. Our income wasn’t where it needed to be, and the property itself was in rough shape—overgrown with thorn trees and brush, buildings long past repair, and no fencing, electricity, or running water.
Still, we saw potential. More than that, we felt deeply led to make it our home—a place where hard work, faith, and vision could bring something beautiful back to life.
Finally, in 2016—after much prayer, perseverance, and faith—we took the leap. We were able to purchase the land that would become Homestead Horsemanship.
It wasn’t just a property; it was the beginning of a lifelong dream—a place where we could build not only a home, but a legacy rooted in horsemanship, hard work, and heart.
Starting From Scratch
We poured everything we had into restoring the land. With limited resources but unwavering determination, we built fences by hand and purchased a $16,000 foreclosure double-wide trailer to call home—because that’s what we could afford at the time.
We began by raising cattle, and JR trained and sold a handful of horses each year just to make the farm payments. Every step forward was built on grit, faith, and a shared vision of what this place could one day become.
But the journey wasn’t easy. Financially and emotionally, we were stretched thin. One of our deepest priorities was ensuring that one of us was always home with the kids—and for me, that was a calling I couldn’t ignore.
I felt led to be present, to raise our children close, and to give them the kind of upbringing that’s rooted in family, faith, and the rhythms of the land. Working outside the home was never part of the vision—I knew my place was right here.
A New Chapter Through Hardship
When times got especially hard, I’ll always be grateful that my father-in-law offered me a job doing office work at his business just down the road.
It wasn’t easy balancing work, home, and the farm—but that job helped cover groceries and a few extra bills during a season when every dollar mattered. What we didn’t realize at the time was that it would also quietly open the door to a new chapter—one we never could have anticipated.
JR’s father, Jerry Rosa Sr, who builds and repairs musical instruments, also runs a successful YouTube channel called Rosa String Works. For years, he encouraged Jr. to start his own channel and share his work with horses.
At the time, social media wasn’t on our radar—we didn’t even own a computer and were still using flip phones. But Jerry’s encouragement planted a seed that would eventually grow into a new way for us to connect with others and share our passion.
A Leap of Faith, Again
During that time, I began to feel a strong inner calling to leave my office job. At first, I thought it was just stress—but over time, that feeling grew clearer and more persistent. It was a difficult decision, as that job had become an important part of our financial stability. Could I truly step away?
After many months of prayer and thoughtful reflection, I finally followed that calling. I walked into my father-in-law’s office and shared that I was ready to move on.
The very next week, we began to see God’s hand at work, and our lives started to change in ways only He could orchestrate.
Oliver
In December 2022, we attended a local auction where we first met Oliver, a Clydesdale in need of care. He was thin, in rough shape, and carried a deep sadness, his head hanging low. But JR saw beyond his appearance—he felt an immediate connection and recognized that Oliver was truly special.
When Oliver entered the auction ring, we placed a bid—one that stretched beyond what we could comfortably afford, but our hearts were fully invested. Despite our offer, he didn’t sell. The owner had set a higher reserve, and we had to walk away. Leaving him behind was difficult, and the heavy feeling stayed with us long after we walked away. Oliver stayed on our minds, a quiet reminder of the connection we couldn’t ignore.
In the weeks that followed, Oliver stayed on our minds. We often brought him up in conversation, wondering if there was a way to track him down. Yet, with finances still tight, we weren’t sure if it would be possible.
That was when we shared a video from the auction as part of our regular YouTube content. Within hours, messages began pouring in—people from all over reaching out, asking us to find Oliver.
Like us, they saw something special in him, and their encouragement gave us renewed hope.
With the overwhelming support and encouragement of our growing YouTube community, we began the search in earnest. Just a few weeks later, we found Oliver in Texas—waiting at a lot to be sent to another auction.
We were told he was in even worse condition than before, which only strengthened our resolve to bring him home.
With the steadfast support of our YouTube community—and guided by faith and prayer—JR and our oldest daughter, Mary, set out on the journey to bring Oliver home.
When JR and Mary arrived, Jr. immediately recognized the severity of Oliver’s condition. Oliver was extremely thin and struggling to walk. Jr. suspected Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a neurological disease caused by a parasite commonly found in opossum droppings.
Horses contract EPM through contaminated feed or water, and the disease attacks their nervous system, often leading to severe neurological symptoms.
Despite the risks, JR carefully loaded Oliver into the trailer and brought him home, determined to give him the care and love he desperately needed.
When Oliver arrived at Homestead Horsemanship, he was weak, barely able to walk, and severely anemic. The veterinarian was amazed he was still standing. Thankfully, he was still eating, which meant a blood transfusion wasn’t necessary—though it was a close call.
We had to wait nearly two weeks for the EPM medication to arrive, and during that time, Oliver’s condition worsened. But through prayer, love, and grace, he fought to pull through.
Once treatment began, we witnessed daily improvements, and from that moment forward, Oliver’s recovery became a testament to resilience and hope. The rest is history.
A Living Testament of Love
Today, Oliver is thriving. He has grown strong and joyful, fully embraced by our family and the entire Homestead Horsemanship community. His remarkable journey from struggle to recovery has touched the hearts of thousands.
Our YouTube channel began to grow rapidly—not only because of the love and support for Oliver—but because people connected deeply with the stories of all our horses. They appreciate the honest, faith-filled journey we share, rooted in perseverance, hope, and the unbreakable bond between humans and horses.
We don’t think of Oliver as just “our” horse—he’s YouTube’s horse. He belongs to everyone who saw his light, believed in his recovery, and helped bring him home.
Oliver has become so much more than a horse to us; he is the heart horse for countless people around the world, a symbol of hope, healing, and the incredible power of community.
Oliver’s journey is a beautiful story of hope, healing, and perseverance—guided by the still, small voice of God’s love within each of us. His story stands as a powerful testament to the extraordinary grace and faithfulness of God’s promises, and to the strength that comes from trusting in Him and leaning on a loving community.
Through every challenge and triumph, Oliver reminds us that with faith, love, and unity, miracles happen and lives are transformed.
