Lee and Holly Francois have not only created a successful cutting horse program but have also built a life filled with resilience, faith, and a deep commitment to each other. Throughout their years in the cutting horse industry, the couple has faced challenges, celebrated achievements, and developed some of the most remarkable horses in the sport. Their program is known for its consistency, horsemanship, and heart.
In this episode of The Ride, Lee and Holly sit down with host Emily Carey to reflect on their journey that has shaped both their family and their cutting horse career. They discuss Lee’s early days learning from esteemed horsemen and Holly’s transition from the cattle industry to the horse world. The couple shares insights on how they built their business from scratch, navigated the challenges of training, showing, and operating a competitive program together.
The Francoises also share personal struggles that tested them, including Lee’s 2019 brain lesion diagnosis and a devastating house fire that took their home a few years later. Through it all, they talk about how their faith, family, and the support of the cutting horse community helped them move forward.