Jeff was raised in Santa Rosa, California, the son of professional polo player and horse trainer, Jimmy Mero. Jeff achieved a three-goal rating with the United States Polo Association and polo professionally in many western states of the US as well as Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia. Jeff has maintained a farrier service in the Stockdale area since 2008.

Carmen was raised on a ranch in the Big Bend region of Texas. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Journalism from Texas Tech University in 1993 and was awarded her Master’s degree in Equine Science from Sul Ross State University in 1997. Carmen has competed in polo, jumping, dressage, eventing, endurance, and barrel racing as well as cowboying on a number of West Texas ranches.