Reining in the business

Creston Community School graduate Josie Travis knows plenty about horsepower and

it has nothing to do with her car’s engine.

The 2022 graduate on her way to Southwestern Community College is one of those people who was surrounded by horses growing up so it was fitting for her to say she knew how to ride a horse before a bicycle.

“There are pictures of me on a horse, younger than 1. I was 4 or 5 when I learned how to ride a bike,” she chuckled. Now, she’s teaching similar aged kids everything about a horse.

For the past three years, Travis,18, has offered horse riding lessons as she continued the project from another family member.

“My aunt Mallory (Lents) gave lessons. My friends took lessons from her,” Travis said. “My sophomore year I was in FFA looking for something to do; something to keep records for FFA.”

Travis said Mallory was at a point where her family’s needs were taking up more of her time and something had to go.

“I don’t want to do the lessons,” Travis said Mallory told her. “Why don’t you take the business?” Travis said it wasn’t a business in the traditional sense as her customers were people she personally knew.

But Travis didn’t flinch at the offer.

“Mallory showed me the things she did with the horses,” Travis said. One of her first decisions was to name the lessons Rocking T using the family’s brand. She is the daughter of Adam and Kelsey Travis.

“I posted it on Facebook and not even a few hours later, everyone was messaging me,” she said. “My family shared the post.” Travis said she also explained the business to others.

“Lots of people found out,” she said.

Travis’ early horse riding skills were used for the family’s farming operation moving herds of cattle from one field to another. Then came some fun.

“When I was 6 I was in barrel racing. It was the pee wee league, the one for little kids. Dad lead me through it,” she said about the timed event riding a horse around three barrels set in a triangle pattern.

Before high school, Travis gave mounted shooting a try. Riding on a horse, the rider is to shoot balloons using a revolver. Ammunition used is ideal for the distance between the rider and balloons which is about 15 feet. Contestants compete in the timed event using two .45 caliber single-action revolvers loaded with five rounds. The course includes 10 balloons. Scores are based on time and number of balloons hit.

“It’s so fun. I love it,” she said.

As she got more involved, she started participating in horse shows at the Union County Fairgrounds.

Travis said quarterhorses are used for the lessons. They are the ideal horse considering students may have never been on a horse before or have some level of experience. That breed is also common for horse owners.

“The first time riders, I teach them about the horse including safety,” she said. She also includes how to take care of a horse and accessories used from saddles to the reins. First-time riders use a seasoned horse named Charlie Travis said is gentle.

Travis said the actual riding part may sound a lot like learning how to drive a car, especially for those new to the horse.

“It’s the basic skills and knowledge from how to make them walk, turn and stop,” she said. “Then we eventually can get into going faster with the horse.”

Lessons can include barrel racing to know how to turn the horse at a faster speed.

She knows of one youth who started out walking through the barrel pattern. “Now, she can gallop. It’s fun to see their improvement.”

Travis takes advantages of her resources.

“As far as the riding, we have land,” she said about riding a horse over an extended period of time or through different terrains.

Addy Cox, 8, the daughter of Marissa Miller of Creston, is one of Travis’ students.

“We don’t have horses. She picked up an interest in horses,” Miller said about Addy. “We got a her a gift certificate for Christmas,” Miller said. Miller said the family was quite familiar with Travis’ horses as they regularly saw them in fields on the way to family’s houses. Miller said those views may have sparked Addy’s interest.

“I asked Josie what age (would be good for lessons.) She said ‘Any age, just understand they are gong to be riding the horse,’” Miller explained.

The first, weekly lesson was mid April. Miller said Addy was nervous. But as the lessons progressed, the hesitancy faded.

“She was really great with her,” Miller said about Travis. “It got to a point where Addy took the reins by herself and without Josie. Addy got to steer the horse. Charlie is the nicest horse.”

Addy is planned to ride weekly through August. Spring’s wet, windy weather has altered schedules. Lessons or rides are about an hour long.

“I really enjoy it. She has a nice area to watch,” Miller said.

Lessons are through most of the year. Travis initially had lessons only in the summer but as it grew, her schedule.

“March to May I can see 10 to 15 people a week. Once June hit, I am at 32 people,” she said. She regularly contacts students for lesson schedules. She has seen kids as young as 4 and people as old as 90.

“I’m geared more toward kids, but I do have a few of the parents.”

Travis said some rides may be a little special.

“We may have to ride to grandma’s for a Popsicle,” she laughed.