our story
The Travis family is known across the Midwest for two things - their unshakeable faith and good, quality horses. Bruce Travis Sr. made sure both of these things were woven into the fabric of the Travis family framework. He did this by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, encouraging Christ-centered lives in his children, and trusting God in all things - including providing his family with quality horses.
Bruce Travis Sr. and his wife, Betty, moved their family to Creston, Iowa, in 1966. All of his children - Bruce Jr., Rosalie, and David - took a liking to horses. His two sons moved just a few miles North and South of Bruce Sr.'s farm to start families of their own. Bruce Jr. married Dee in 1974, and started their family shortly after their marriage. They had four children - Bruce Jamie, Clint, Adam, and Mallory. David followed suit, and married Jean in 1979. They had three children of their own - Mandy, Curt, and Roxi. With faith and good horses ingrained in their own minds and hearts, they raised their children to hold the same two traditions close - even when times were hard. Bruce's oldest son, Jamie, remembers what times were like in the early days.
Bruce Travis Sr. and his wife, Betty, moved their family to Creston, Iowa, in 1966. All of his children - Bruce Jr., Rosalie, and David - took a liking to horses. His two sons moved just a few miles North and South of Bruce Sr.'s farm to start families of their own. Bruce Jr. married Dee in 1974, and started their family shortly after their marriage. They had four children - Bruce Jamie, Clint, Adam, and Mallory. David followed suit, and married Jean in 1979. They had three children of their own - Mandy, Curt, and Roxi. With faith and good horses ingrained in their own minds and hearts, they raised their children to hold the same two traditions close - even when times were hard. Bruce's oldest son, Jamie, remembers what times were like in the early days.
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Bruce Travis Sr. and his horses
"We always had good horses. When we were kids, we'd go to fun shows with these horses. We really didn't have a lot of money, it was during the hard times of the 1980's, and Dad was really struggling financially."
Jamie remembers hooking up an old Dodge pickup to an old, red, rusty, Shelby trailer. They'd set up lawn chairs up in the back of the truck, and take off to the fun shows.
"The one I remember the most was in Nodaway, Iowa. Dad would say, 'I'll pay your entry fees, but I want the entry fees back from whatever you win, and we'll go to Pizza Hut in Corning with whatever money is leftover.' We'd usually make plenty to pay Dad back and for our meal on the way home."
While those times were great to remember, those times didn't always bring positive memories.
"There would be times where we'd pull in to the fun shows in that old junk truck & junk stock trailer, and as kids, we'd get discouraged. But Dad would always tell us, 'It's not what you pull in with, it's what you unload out of the back.'"
Even when they didn't have hardly two pennies to rub together, the Travis family still took pride in the horses they owned and rode who were worth their weight in gold. Although things did get better for the Travis family financially, that same humble pride in the horses they rode was instilled in the next generation of grandchildren, just as they were in the original three children Bruce Sr. raised.
Jamie remembers hooking up an old Dodge pickup to an old, red, rusty, Shelby trailer. They'd set up lawn chairs up in the back of the truck, and take off to the fun shows.
"The one I remember the most was in Nodaway, Iowa. Dad would say, 'I'll pay your entry fees, but I want the entry fees back from whatever you win, and we'll go to Pizza Hut in Corning with whatever money is leftover.' We'd usually make plenty to pay Dad back and for our meal on the way home."
While those times were great to remember, those times didn't always bring positive memories.
"There would be times where we'd pull in to the fun shows in that old junk truck & junk stock trailer, and as kids, we'd get discouraged. But Dad would always tell us, 'It's not what you pull in with, it's what you unload out of the back.'"
Even when they didn't have hardly two pennies to rub together, the Travis family still took pride in the horses they owned and rode who were worth their weight in gold. Although things did get better for the Travis family financially, that same humble pride in the horses they rode was instilled in the next generation of grandchildren, just as they were in the original three children Bruce Sr. raised.
It wasn't until Bruce Sr. died in 2009 that the family started thinking of a way to expand upon the quality horses they rode, all while honoring the man who started it all. While the Travis kids always had good horses to ride that they typically broke themselves, they couldn't take pride in knowing those horses were born and raised on their farm from their own breeding stock. While trail riding one day, Bruce Jr. and Jamie started talking about what it would look like to put something like this together. That’s when the dream of a breeding operation became a reality. With just three brood mares from the Arnold Ranch in Kansas - Senecas Smarty Mandy, Claytons Can Can, and JR Driftwood Ima - and one stallion - CJ Driftin Hancock - from Lee Jones of Randlett, Oklahoma, Travis Quarter Horses was born. Since then, Travis Quarter Horses has grown to 24 brood mares, 3 stallions, and too many colts to count. Not to mention the dozens of horses the Travis family rides regularly. In all, the Travis family owns approximately 70 horses, and rides about half of them - including all of the stallions they use in the breeding program.
Seeing how the program began to grow, the Travis family wanted to showcase the talent they produced. Bruce Jr. and his grandson, Tristan, began participating in Cowboy Mounted Shooting events in 2010. Once the rest of the family picked up one of the 45 revolvers used in the sport to shoot black powder at balloons, they were all hooked. Thirty-three of the 45 family members enjoy shooting together. So much so that the Travis family decided to host their own Cowboy Mounted Shooting event on their farm in Southwest Iowa. At the Travis Quarter Horses shoot, participants from all over the United States come to the rolling hills of rural America to compete for a valued Travis Quarter Horses buckle. The lucky few who have purchased a young colt from the Travis', or who have bred their stallion or mare to a Travis horse, have the opportunity to compete in the Travis Quarter Horses Futurity. This event is for shooting horses in their 4-year-old year born and/or raised on the Travis farm, who have not been entered in an official event until their 4-year-old year.
“My son, Clint, was the one who had the idea to start a futurity,” Bruce explained. “We knew about futurities and how they worked from the barrel racing circuit, and thought, ‘Why not reward the people who buy our colts by hosting a futurity ourselves?’”
The Travis Quarter Horses Futurity is an opportunity for the horses and their riders to shine, all while showcasing the exceptional bloodlines Travis Quarter Horses possess.
What started as one man and a few quality horses has become a growing family and large, incredible herd of horses. The Travis family all live within 5 miles of each other, and use their horses for both work and play. Any given Saturday – rain or shine – you can find the family shooting at a Cowboy Mounted Shooting event or working cattle in a pasture on the family farm. The 15 grandkids Bruce & Dee claim, and the 7 grandkids Dave & Jean claim, are constantly being taught the value of good work ethic and the importance of a family sticking together – in both good times and the bad. Ultimately, the Travis family credits the Lord for the blessings they have an continue to receive. Their close relationships and proximity can all be drawn back to the unshakeable faith Bruce Travis Sr. built his legacy upon. Keeping God first in everything they do, the Travis family has and continues to establish traditions rooted in their faith. As the family continues to grow, each generation will remember the lessons learned from generations past, and will continue to carry on the traditions of a solid faith and good horses – just as Bruce Sr. would have wanted.
Seeing how the program began to grow, the Travis family wanted to showcase the talent they produced. Bruce Jr. and his grandson, Tristan, began participating in Cowboy Mounted Shooting events in 2010. Once the rest of the family picked up one of the 45 revolvers used in the sport to shoot black powder at balloons, they were all hooked. Thirty-three of the 45 family members enjoy shooting together. So much so that the Travis family decided to host their own Cowboy Mounted Shooting event on their farm in Southwest Iowa. At the Travis Quarter Horses shoot, participants from all over the United States come to the rolling hills of rural America to compete for a valued Travis Quarter Horses buckle. The lucky few who have purchased a young colt from the Travis', or who have bred their stallion or mare to a Travis horse, have the opportunity to compete in the Travis Quarter Horses Futurity. This event is for shooting horses in their 4-year-old year born and/or raised on the Travis farm, who have not been entered in an official event until their 4-year-old year.
“My son, Clint, was the one who had the idea to start a futurity,” Bruce explained. “We knew about futurities and how they worked from the barrel racing circuit, and thought, ‘Why not reward the people who buy our colts by hosting a futurity ourselves?’”
The Travis Quarter Horses Futurity is an opportunity for the horses and their riders to shine, all while showcasing the exceptional bloodlines Travis Quarter Horses possess.
What started as one man and a few quality horses has become a growing family and large, incredible herd of horses. The Travis family all live within 5 miles of each other, and use their horses for both work and play. Any given Saturday – rain or shine – you can find the family shooting at a Cowboy Mounted Shooting event or working cattle in a pasture on the family farm. The 15 grandkids Bruce & Dee claim, and the 7 grandkids Dave & Jean claim, are constantly being taught the value of good work ethic and the importance of a family sticking together – in both good times and the bad. Ultimately, the Travis family credits the Lord for the blessings they have an continue to receive. Their close relationships and proximity can all be drawn back to the unshakeable faith Bruce Travis Sr. built his legacy upon. Keeping God first in everything they do, the Travis family has and continues to establish traditions rooted in their faith. As the family continues to grow, each generation will remember the lessons learned from generations past, and will continue to carry on the traditions of a solid faith and good horses – just as Bruce Sr. would have wanted.
Bruce & Dee's grandkids -
Back row from L to R: Tristan, Jake, Connor, Veronica, Dee, Bruce, Luke, Travis, and Lane.
Front row from L to R: Maddie, Caleb, Kristi, Grace, Josie, Kenny, Allyse, & Tyler.
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Dave & Jean's grandkids - Owen, Lana, Carter, Stella, Chanelle, Ivy, & Hope.
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Bruce and Dee have 4 kids with spouses of their own, plus 15 grandkids. Dave & Jean have 3 kids that they raised, and those 3 kids, along with their spouses, gave them 7 grandkids to enjoy - and the family just keeps growing. This keeps life busy and interesting on each of the Travis ranches. Almost everyone in the family rides, and some even are juggling two horses. With everyone being so involved in the family business, we'd like to introduce each family individually to give you an idea of who we are. We are so fortunate to live so close and work together.
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Bruce and Dee
Bruce and Dee have been married for 46 years. Bruce is constantly training a new horse that somehow - even when he swears he's "keeping this one" - is always given to a young grandkid in need of a horse. Dee rides every once in a while, but is always at the horse events supporting the kids, or helping when the group is moving cattle by driving in her vehicle behind the horses, just in case any little cowboys get tired. "Grandma and Grandpa" are their favorite titles, and they have made sure the tradition of a solid faith has stayed at the forefront of the family's focus. They have been so instrumental in establishing our family and we are so thankful for them! |
Dave and Jean
Dave and Jean got married on June 1st, 1979, and have been happily married for 43 years. Dave owns and operates a successful auto dealership - Travis Auto & Truck in Creston, Iowa. In his spare time, Dave enjoys participating in Cowboy Mounted Shooting events and supporting his daughters, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters at barrel races. Like Bruce and Dee, Dave and Jean love to chase their grandkids around to any event they're in, proudly wearing the titles of "Grandma and Grandpa." Together, these two couples are the backbone for our family, and we are so thankful for their influence in each of our lives. |
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Jamie's family
from L to R: Connor, Alison, Jamie, Megan, Tristan, Allivea, Maddie, & Gavin Jamie is the oldest of Bruce and Dee's kids, and has the oldest grandkids of the family. Tristan and Connor have started riding young horses, and Maddie is working on an up-and-coming 8-year-old. Hopefully, each of these horses will be well-suited for younger cousins someday. While Jamie's wife, Megan, doesn't ride much, she is very supportive of all the events her family participates in. Tristan proposed to his now wife, Allivea, in January 2021. She started riding and shooting with our family quickly after their engagement. Connor recently proposed to his girlfriend of 4 1/2 years, Alison Van Gelder. She enjoys traveling with her family and ours, and can often be found next to Connor in a tractor. Gavin Gillam - long time family friend - also proposed to Jamie's daughter - Maddie - in March of 2022. Gavin has always felt like a part of our family, and we are so excited for both him & Maddie. It's going to be a crazy year, but we can't wait to add Gavin, Allivea, & Alison to our family throughout this next year! |
Clint's family
from L to R: Clint, Luke, Grace, Caleb, Rachael, and Jake Clint is Bruce and Dee's second child, and his kids are in the middle of their grandkid bunch. Clint is known for having multiple colts to break at once, and has raised many of his own horses since he was young. Jake and Luke are also riding young horses at the moment. We're excited to get our kids on young horses to teach them what it takes to produce quality horses. Grace enjoys shooting, barrel racing, dancing, and being with friends. Their youngest son, Caleb, has Down Syndrome, but that doesn't stop him from riding his horse with his Dad and siblings. Clint's wife, Rachael, enjoys riding every now and again, but enjoys supporting her family by attending events the most. |
Adam's family
from L to R: Tyler, Kristi, Kelsey, Adam, Josie, and Lane Adam is Bruce and Dee's third child and youngest son. His kids, like Clint and Rachael's, fall in the middle of the pack. Josie and Kristi, Adam's oldest two, are riding young horses and learning valuable lessons while doing so. Josie even started her own very successful business a few summers ago - Rocking T Riding Lessons. She enjoys offering riding lessons to anyone interested in learning a little more about horses. His sons, Lane and Tyler, enjoy using their horses to move cattle and shoot with their cousins. Adam is a great shooter, and is the only one of our bunch that has won a saddle at an event. Like Megan and Rachael, Adam's wife, Kelsey, is her family's biggest cheerleader - supporting them at every event. Josie recently married long-time family friend, Kaden Bolton (pictured below). Kaden & the Bolton family have always been close with our family, and we are truly excited about Josie & Kaden's future together. 
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Mallory's family
from L to R: Kenny, Veronica, Kevin, Mallory, Allyse, and Travis Mallory is the youngest of Bruce and Dee's children, and her kids round out Bruce's group of 15 grandkids. Mallory married Kevin Lents in 2005, and their family owns a growing red angus business - Lents Farms Red Angus. Their four kids - Veronica, Allyse, Travis, and Kenny - enjoy mounted shooting, showing their cattle and sheep, and playing with their older cousins. Veronica has seen great success showing her cattle, and loves riding her horse, Sandy. Allyse would rather show sheep, and does a great job doing so. Travis and Kenny love to tag along with their older cousins - whether they're working cattle, hunting, fishing, or anything in between! One of our favorite things is to watch her kids grow, and they are doing it too quickly! All of her kids are great helpers with their livestock. |
Mandy's family
From L to R: Carter, Drew, Mandy, Hope, & Owen Mandy is Dave's oldest daughter. She married Drew Henderson and had three great kids together - twins, Owen & Carter, and their daughter, Hope. Each of them ride horses with their family, and truly enjoy doing so. Owen & Carter will be seniors in high school this year, and have both experienced great success in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting circuit as of late. Hope's joy for life shines through everything she does, which includes volleyball, barrel racing, and making TikToks with her cousins. Drew works at Hometown Insurance with Mandy's cousin, Jamie, and Mandy keeps busy coaching CrossFit, volunteering at Mayflower Christian School, and facilitating the Union County Saddle Club barrel racing series. Their family is constantly on the go, but they truly enjoy every part of their busy, full lives. |
Curt's family
From L to R: Chanelle, Curt holding Ivy, Chelsea, & Stella Curt is Dave's second-born and his only son. Together, Curt and Dave run multiple cattle in their feed lots. Curt married Chelsea and are raising three wonderful girls together - Chanelle, Stella, and Ivy. Their girls love to be on their horses and on their family farm. Whether it's turning barrels, shooting guns, or getting in cattle, Chanelle and Stella are the girls to call. Chelsea is a successful nurse who spends her free time home-schooling Chanelle & Stella, all while chasing Ivy around the house and farm. Curt enjoys training cattle dogs and even taking them to competitions. Curt & Chelsea's kids are some of the youngest in our family, and we truly enjoy watching them grow. |
Roxi's family
From L to R: Casey, Lana, & Roxi
Roxi is Dave's youngest, and married Casey Ward in 2011. They have one daughter, Lana. When Lana was born, she had many health complications. But, thanks to the strong family Roxi & Casey have behind them, Lana is thriving. Every now & again, Roxi & Casey will jump on horses with the family and ride in parades, through the trees on trail rides, or even barrel race with Mandy, Chelsea, and their girls. Their family loves to support Mandy & Curt's kids in everything they do, and keep busy doing so!
From L to R: Casey, Lana, & Roxi
Roxi is Dave's youngest, and married Casey Ward in 2011. They have one daughter, Lana. When Lana was born, she had many health complications. But, thanks to the strong family Roxi & Casey have behind them, Lana is thriving. Every now & again, Roxi & Casey will jump on horses with the family and ride in parades, through the trees on trail rides, or even barrel race with Mandy, Chelsea, and their girls. Their family loves to support Mandy & Curt's kids in everything they do, and keep busy doing so!