For Nancy Christensen, a sorrel gelding born 27 years ago on March 22, 1988 has always been “The One.” Hes Just To Sharp came into Nancy’s world at just six months-old. Affectionately known as Travis, little did anyone know that this pair would soon become not only world champions in the show arena, but a lifelong team as well.
By the stallion, Zippo Jack Bar and out of the great NSBA Hall of Fame mare, Paleface Doll, there was no doubt that the young colt had the bloodlines to become a successful show horse. As a baby, Nancy told us that Travis had trouble nursing, and that he was bottle-fed. He also wore a little sweatshirt (pictured below right) to keep him warm during a cold February in Michigan.
In Spring of 1988, Nancy’s son, Tim and his friend, Tom Papiernik went to BSB Quarter Horses in Sturgis, Michigan to look at some prospects. Papiernik ended up purchasing the young colt and moved him to Nancy’s farm when he was six months-old.
As he grew into a talented two year old, Travis began his training and was soon offered for sale. While multiple people passed on the offer to own Him, Nancy knew that there was something special about him. “He’s just not flashy enough,” said one of his potential buyers. Luckily for the gelding, Nancy could see the greatness and the flash that others could not. Soon after, it became a done deal. Nancy Christensen purchased him from Tom Papiernik for $4,000 and continued his training with her son, Tim Christensen.
Having success at an early age, Travis began his career with wins at multiple shows. It was at this point that Nancy decided that she would never sell him. Though Nancy and her son Tim were having success with the gelding, they sent him to Jon Barry to be finished. Continuing on to win many futurities, he seemed to excel in not only the Western Pleasure, but other events such as the Horsemanship and Hunter Under Saddle. “He could do everything,” Nancy says, though she points out that showing him in the Western Pleasure was always her favorite.
Seeing how it was her favorite class to show in, the duo went on to compete many times over the years and racked up an impressive record in the class. Twenty years ago, at the 1995 AQHA World Show, with 272 total entries, Nancy and Travis became Reserve World Champions in the Amateur Western Pleasure. This win added to the gelding’s already massive record, as he was also Top Ten at the AQHA World Show in the Junior Western Pleasure and also won the 1997 AQHA high-point award for Amateur Western Pleasure.
Throughout his show career, he has earned hundreds of AQHA points, multiple ROMs and Superiors, as well as being named the AQHA World Champion in Senior Western Pleasure in 1994. With wins at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, along with an impressive $61,251 earned in the AQHA Incentive Fund, he proved that he is a superstar.
“He has always been my best friend and he still is–he is always there for me,” says Nancy, who recently had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery that took five hours to repair the blockage. Though she faced setbacks with recovery, including a gathering of fluid in her lungs that would have to be removed three times, Nancy looked forward to getting back home to see her equine pal.
Nancy returned home to Michigan after surgery, and the first thing she did was go out and visit him. Like any best friend, he was there to comfort Nancy and she recalls that he could tell that she wasn’t feeling well. After the process of a long recovery, Nancy has recently been able to ride again (pictured left, August 2015). “I can’t help it, I just have to lope him. I can’t only walk and trot him,” Nancy says.
“It doesn’t get any better than this!” Tim Christensen exclaimed on Facebook when posting the picture of his mother riding him after her surgery.
While she admits that Travis is quite the character, he loves attention and loves to be brushed and pampered. “He even sticks his neck out when you brush him with the curry comb. He looks and acts the same as he always has,” reflects Nancy.
After her recovery, Nancy knew that she wanted to ride again and she was confident that he would be the horse to get back on. “Travis can’t buck me off, he has never spooked and I felt very safe,” she says, also including what a treat it was to get back in the saddle after her time off.
While Nancy still gets to enjoy the company of her past show partner, she also reflects back on some of the best times they have shared together. For example, years ago at Roberts Arena in Wilmington, Ohio, there happened to be a Bridleless Western Pleasure class at the Whistlestop Horse Show, where the crowd would bid on the winner of the class. The owner of the facility, Mrs. Roberts would end up bidding $5,200 on the duo to win the class. “At the end of the class while we were walking, he just loped off like he was supposed to with his head down and on the correct lead,” says Nancy with a laugh, adding that he is so smart.
Though life may move at a slower pace now, Nancy and the now 27 year-old gelding still share a bond that cannot be broken. “He has always been there for our family,” Nancy says as she recalls a time where the gelding would come up to them as they were having coffee on the porch. “We let him have the run of the farm, as he is so special to us. He is part human and part of our family,” she says.
Now going out to spend time with her best friend and ride, Nancy finishes with a special message. “God is good and we give all the glory to him. Travis is a gift from God and God is the only one who can take him away.”
Nancy looks forward to many more years spent with her beloved horse before he passes on to greener pastures.
