This episode of The Ride Podcast where we talk to Holly & Lee Francois is brought to you by Farnam.
Lee and Holly Francois have built more than a successful cutting horse program—they’ve built a life rooted in resilience, faith and an unwavering commitment to each other. Over decades in the cutting horse industry, the couple has weathered devastating setbacks, celebrated major milestones and developed some of the sport’s most memorable horses, all while growing a program known for consistency, horsemanship and heart.
In this episode of The Ride, Lee and Holly join host Emily Carey to reflect on the journey that shaped both their family and their career in the cutting pen. From Lee’s early days learning from legendary horsemen to Holly’s transition from the cattle industry into the horse world, the pair shares how they built their business from the ground up and learned to navigate the pressures of training, showing and running a competitive operation together.
The Francoises also open up about the personal challenges that tested them most, including Lee’s 2019 brain lesion diagnosis and the devastating house fire that destroyed their home just a few years later. Through each hardship, they explain how faith, family and the cutting horse community helped carry them forward.