About Us

I'll start off with a little history on myself.  I was born and raised on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota. I grew up in the towns of Chisholm and Hibbing, graduating from Hibbing High School in 1993. I immediately joined the United States Army and headed for basic training as an Infantryman at Fort Benning Georgia. After basic training I had the privilege to be stationed at The Rock in Kirchgoens, Germany for two and a half years. In my time there I was deployed twice for 6 months each to Macedonia and Bosnia. I finished my military tour At Fort Irwin, California in 1997.  

​

After returning home I went to college to become a Diesel Mechanic, finishing a year and a half later being the top 3 in my class and being hired before my second year of college was over. I was lucky enough to be hired by a Caterpillar dealer near my home town and worked on the job for my last semester grades, which kicked off the career I have had for the last 22+ years. Currently I am a Service Manager of 11+ years for a used mining parts company and have been with them for 15+ years. 

​

I have 3 beautiful children, my beautiful bride and love of my life, and an absolutely awesome grandson, plus Soon, I will be gaining a daughter-in-law. My family is more important to me than life itself. With the family that I have I am a really rich guy.

​

My wife and I started to rodeo about 3-4 years ago. We have been talking about it for years and finally, with the help and encouragement from our friends, were able to start competing. My wife's dream as a little girl has always been to own her own horse, which she has for the last 21 years. I always liked country life and wanted to always ride a horse someday. I have been riding for more than 20 years, but not really getting serious until the last 8- 10 years. We have owned horses for longer than we have been married.  We went trail riding, messed around with WSCA games, dabbled in team penning, been to many brandings, and now my wife and daughter barrel race. Plus, they dabble in team roping and I team rope and calf rope.  

​

Willow Rook Ranch has a unique meaning for us as well. Willow is for all the brush that we have on our property and work at removing all the time. Rook is for Rookie as we always will think of ourselves as beginners who want to learn more and more. Plus, when we started in the rodeo and ranch world we were really green. Then obviously we end our name with Ranch. It may be small but its still our ranch in Chisholm, Minnesota. 

​

Almost a year ago I decided that my life needed a change as my career feels to have taken a halt, and I have achieved all I can to achieve. Me being the person that I am could not accept that and decided that I am going to reach my goal of being a CEO of a company even if it's my own. So I decided that I want to work with what I love and that is horses and all other animals. I took a certification class through Therasage Equine Massage Certification and earned a certification in Equine Massage then further went to become a Magnawave PEMF Practitioner. With being my life partner, my wife also became a Magnawave PEMF Practitioner so she can help out and be apart of the business and we could provide therapy for horses across northern Minnesota. The choice to start Willow Rook Ranch has been the most rewarding so far. 

​

Willow Rook Ranch Equine Massage Therapy is more than taking care of horses. We have the ability to take care of all of your animal friends and even a little something for you the owner. From Massage Therapy to PEMF and Laser Therapy we have the ability and tools to help you and your animals feel and perform their best.  Weather you compete at the top, are a weekend warrior or just dabble once in awhile we have a Therapy that we can customize to your needs. Our goal is still the same to help you and your partner feel and perform their best.  

​

~ Brad Castagneri, Owner Operator, Willow Rook Ranch, Chisholm, Minnesota

​