In 2025, Lee Francois, a $4 million rider, demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level despite facing significant challenges. He participated in the NCHA Open World Championship with Preachersdrinknagain, finishing as the Reserve World Champion, and also rode Sistersonthewagon to a tie for co-reserve champion at the NCHA Futurity. However, these achievements do not immediately reveal the difficult journey that led him there.
In 2019, Francois experienced a brain lesion near his brain stem, which forced him to relearn the physical mechanics of horse training, restructure his business, and slowly rebuild his program to compete in limited-age events. This setback required him to regain strength and rebuild the mind-muscle connection necessary for training cutting horses.
Francois and his wife, Holly, had to reevaluate their training program and cut it nearly in half, reducing the number of horses in training from 50 to 25. Despite these changes, their clients remained loyal, and friends like Jeremy Barwick provided support during uncertain times.
The challenges continued when their home was destroyed in a fire in 2022, but the Francioses maintained a positive outlook. As Francois’ health stabilized and the program slowly rebuilt, Leslyn Wallace purchased Preachersdrinknagain and became a partner in the rebuilding process. Wallace, a first-generation cutting horse owner, not only bought the horse but also wanted to learn the cutting horse business from the ground up, becoming an integral part of the Francois’ journey.
With her involvement, Francois was able to focus on hauling for the NCHA open world standings, a priority he had rarely pursued in his career.
Wallace’s arrival also led to the Francois family repurchasing the broodmare Reys Desire, who they had previously sold to Bobby Patton after the passing of her owner, Woody Bartlett.
In a twist of fate, Reys Desire is the dam of both Preachersdrinknagain and Sistersonthewagon.
“You never really know where these relationships are going to lead,” Holly said. “Sometimes you think something has ended, and it actually opens another door.”
A Season of Proving Ground
As Francois regained strength, he embarked on a journey to test himself in the show pen once again.
Usually focused on limited-age events, he committed to hauling Preachersdrinknagain throughout the 2025 season in pursuit of the NCHA Open World Championship, while also preparing Sistersonthewagon for the NCHA Futurity.
For a full year, Francois embraced the demanding schedule of weekend cuttings.
He and his team worked diligently to ensure Preachersdrinknagain’s soundness with the help of veterinarian Todd Laughrey and farrier Jordan Skeith, keeping the gelding healthy throughout the season.
The hard work paid off.
Francois ended the season as the reserve world champion, narrowly missing the title by less than $1,000 at the World Finals in Fort Worth.
While the result was bittersweet, the season served as a way to rebuild Francois’ physical and competitive instincts.
The efforts also bore fruit in other ways.
At the 2025 NCHA Futurity, Francois rode Sistersonthewagon to a 220.5-point run, tying for co-reserve champion and earning $229,670 for the Francois-Barwick partnership.
Back in the Limited-Age Lane
By the end of 2025, the Francois program was showing signs of a comeback—not due to a single horse or result, but because of the entire season.
“Being reserve on full siblings at the World Finals and the Futurity is pretty incredible and speaks to the Metallic Cat and Reys Desire cross, as well as Lee’s dedication to every horse in the barn,” Holly commented.
Francois acknowledges the value of the year spent hauling, but he is clear about his future direction.
“We’re transitioning back to the aged events,” Francois stated. “It just goes to show that with determination, you can achieve your goals. And if you put in the effort, people will come into your life to help you progress—if you do things right and treat others well.”
In a sport where success is often measured by wins and titles, Francois’ recent years tell a different story—one of rebuilding a program, trusting the process, and relying on the relationships that make success possible.
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