Travis Quarter Horses
This isn’t just a business. It’s a legacy that began with Grandpa Travis, was built by Bruce and Dave, and now rides forward through three generations each adding their grit, heart, and horsepower to the story. From working calves on the ranch to winning championships in the arena, our horses and our family were raised to work hard, run fast, and honor our faith every step of the way.
You’ll meet the man who laid the foundation, the brothers who built the brand, the kids who’ve carried it forward, and the grandkids growing up with it all. Because here at TQH, the brand isn’t just what’s on our horses it’s who we are.
Our Foundation - Grandpa Travis
In 1966, Bruce Travis Sr. and his wife Betty moved their family to Creston, Iowa. It wasn’t long before all three of their children, Bruce Jr., Rosalie, and David, developed a deep love for horses. Faith and good horses were cornerstones in their home, even during tough times like the farm crisis of the 1980s.
Bruce Sr. always made sure his kids had horses to ride. His oldest grandson, Jamie, remembers loading into an old Dodge truck and rusty trailer to head to local fun shows. “We didn’t have much,” Jamie recalls, “but we always had good horses.” No matter how worn their rig looked pulling in, Bruce Sr. reminded them, “It’s not what you pull in with, it’s what you unload out of the back.”
Though money was tight, the pride in their horses ran deep. That legacy of grit, gratitude, and good horses would become the foundation of everything the Travis family built in the generations to come.
As adults, Bruce Jr. and David stayed close to home, settling just a few miles from the family farm. Bruce Jr. married Dee in 1974 and raised four kids, Jamie, Clint, Adam, and Mallory. David married Jean in 1979, raising Mandy, Curt, and Roxi. Their lives centered around family, faith, and horses.
While their kids grew up riding good horses, Bruce always had a bigger dream, raising horses with their own brand, bred and born on their land. That dream took root after Bruce Sr. passed in 2009. On a trail ride, Bruce Jr. and Jamie imagined what it would look like to start a breeding program that honored the quality they had always ridden, but never raised.
With just three broodmares and one stallion, Travis Quarter Horses was born. It quickly grew. Today, the program includes over 30 broodmares, multiple stallions, and a large herd of working horses that the family rides and competes with regularly. What started as a tribute to their dad’s legacy has become a family-run operation rooted in tradition and pride.
Building The Brand
Carrying The Legacy
As the second generation of Travis grandkids grew, so did the commitment to faith, family, and horses. Jamie, Clint, Adam, and Mallory (Bruce Jr.’s kids) didn’t just grow up around horses; they were shaped by them. From early fun shows in rusty trailers to working cattle and riding colts, they lived the life their parents and grandparents modeled.
Jamie remembers the early days vividly - money was tight, but the horses were always good. Their dad’s mantra, "It's not what you pull in with, it's what you unload," stuck with them. It taught them humility, pride, and the value of hard work.
As adults, they’ve each carried forward a piece of the family vision. Whether training colts, working cattle, raising families, or mentoring the next generation, they’re committed to the legacy Bruce Sr. began. They’re the bridge between generations, rooted in tradition, but always looking ahead.
Today, the legacy lives on through the 24 grandchildren of Bruce Jr. and David, each born into a world where faith, family, and horses are part of daily life. Raised within just five miles of one another, these grandkids grew up gathering cattle, practicing mounted shooting, and spending weekends in the saddle.
They don’t just carry the family name; they carry the values. Whether they’re training their first colt, helping host the Travis Quarter Horses Shoot, or just saddling up for a ride, they know they’re part of something bigger. They're learning that it’s not just about the horses; it’s about hard work, humility, and honoring the generations who came before.
As they grow into their own roles on the farm and in life, this next generation is ready to keep the brand strong. With every ride and every interation, they’re proving that the heart of Travis Quarter Horses beats stronger than ever.
Born Into The Brand
