“My Paint Horse is literally the most amazing creature,” Addyson Travis of Brighton, Colorado, said.
Sure, Inspired By Real has won numerous world championships in the past. But overcoming a broken leg AND coming back to compete—and win—a few more at the APHA World Championship Show this year? That’s pretty special.
In early January 2022, “Louie” had an accident that caused multiple hairline fractures in his leg—a devastating diagnosis, especially for a horse that jumps. But Addyson wasn’t ready to give up on the 2006 sorrel overo gelding by Real Bonanza and out of Justinred.
Working with a dedicated team of vets and her White Harvest Farm trainers, Addyson and her mom painstakingly nursed Louie back to health for four months. That meant waking up at 4:30 a.m. daily to care for Louie before work and school, singing to him during stall rest and hand-walking him to help heal the injuries.
In late June 2022, Addyson’s faith paid off, and she rode into the John Justin Arena and rode out with several titles: a world championship in Youth Working Hunter and a reserve world championship in Novice Youth Working Hunter.
“I almost lost Louie in January. We were lucky to have amazing vets and a horse that loves me as much as I love him,” she said. “He is a fighter and just getting to put him on the trailer to come to the World Show was so special. I would do all of the early mornings and late nights in blizzards all over again because he deserves it and gives me his whole heart. I’m lucky to be his partner.”
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.