Weatherford, Texas—The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) welcomes Travelin Jonez (Smart Chic Olena x Travelin With Sass x Travalena) to the NRCHA Million Dollar Sire list. The 2008 bay stallion was shown to great success with NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider Chris Dawson in the saddle, winning the Open division of the 2013 Celebration of Champions Derby, the NRCHA Stallion Stakes, and the NRCHA Derby. Dawson owns the horse with Linda Mars.
“This horse really put me on the map,” Dawson shared. “He was such a big springboard for my career. Now to watch his babies come on and be successful has been a rewarding part of the industry that I never really had any designs on. Partnering with the entire Tres Osos clan is what made this happen.”
Notably, Travelin Jonez’s top five earners that led the effort to make him an NRCHA Million Dollar Sire are all mares. The top three are (as of November 24, 2025):
- Juliette Jonez (2018 mare out of Shine Smarter): $163,577.31; 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open fourth place.
- Travelin Miss Jonez (2013 mare out of Playin With Rubies): $156,871.86; 2018 NRCHA Stallion Stakes second place.
- Me And Mrs Jonez (2017 mare out of Shine Smarter): $113,407.04;2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Hackamore Champion.
Dawson noted that one very consistent trait Travelin Jonez passes to his babies is one that’s exceptionally important going down the fence and roping: a sensible mind when the pace gets fast. It’s a valuable characteristic in the cow horse and also in the roping, where many of his babies have found success.
“They all seem real sound-minded once you get going fast,” Dawson said. “When you get to a certain speed, some horses lose their cool and can panic under that pressure. With his babies, it doesn’t matter how fast things get going, which makes them phenomenal fence horses.”
“Travelin Jonez and Chris Dawson made a mark on NRCHA competition, especially in 2013 winning three derbies,” said NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel. “We’re proud to see his legacy continue and congratulate his owners and connections on achieving this milestone.”
Travelin Jonez is part of an elite group of NRCHA Million Dollar Sires. Learn about all these influential stallions at nrcha.com/nrcha-million-dollar-sires/.
