The Unstoppable Spirit of a Horsewoman
by Jennifer Cocoma Hustis
If you’ve ever crossed paths with a kindred spirit — the sort of woman who makes you think, “That’s who I want to be when I grow up” — then you’ve met someone like Nancy Litsch. Horses brought us together, but adventure defines her. She moves through life with a boldness and joy that makes others want to follow her lead.
At 3 years old, she rocked the legs off a silver wooden horse. By 4, she had a real one, a Shetland pony named Pet, who pulled a cart full of neighborhood kids and happily sampled cotton candy, peanut butter sandwiches and even Coca-Cola straight from the bottle.
Seventy-five years later, that same girl, now a seasoned horsewoman and global adventurer, still approaches life with the same curiosity, grit and joy she had as a child in the saddle.
“Horses were my first love,” she says. “Adventure came right behind them.”
A Life in the Saddle
For her, riding has never been about dominance or control. It’s about partnership, a quiet, intuitive conversation between horse and rider.
“My goal has always been oneness,” she explains. “If we listen, horses teach us patience, forgiveness and consistency. They’re honest in a way humans rarely are.”
She believes deeply in being a hands-on horse owner: feeding, grooming, mucking, saddling, riding. “Don’t be a Dressage Queen,” she laughs. “Do your own chores. That’s how you really know your horse.”
Her devotion has earned her many honors, but two stand above the rest: her Century Club rides in 2014 and 2024. To qualify, the combined age of horse and rider must reach 100, and together they must complete a dressage test under a licensed judge.
“You don’t have to win,” she says with a grin. “You just have to stay on the horse. It’s a beautiful way to honor senior riders and senior horses.”
Adventure Beyond the Barn
Her love of exploration is as strong as her love of horses. She has climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, floated in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia and ridden Icelandic ponies across the tundra. Some journeys involved horses or camels; others were simply quests to experience the world’s wild corners.
But Mongolia, with its sweeping steppes, ancient traditions and fierce devotion to horses, felt like coming home.
Mongolia: A Land That Lives Horseback
Drawn by the Naadam Festival and eagle festivals, she traveled with a small independent group, eager to witness the horsemanship and falconry that have shaped Mongolian culture for centuries.
“The people were extraordinary,” she recalls. “Gracious, generous, deeply connected to their land and animals. They opened their gers (traditional Mongolian yurts) to us and shared their food and customs. It was unforgettable.”
She rode while she was there, of course, because how could she not?
For those considering their own Mongolian adventure, she offers practical advice:
“Dress warmly. Wear layers. Long underwear is essential. And be open to the food — lots of root vegetables, lamb, chicken, rice, dumplings. It’s all part of the experience.”
Art as a Universal Language
Wherever she travels, she seeks out artists. Her home is filled with paintings, prints, sculptures and handmade objects collected from around the world, each one a memory, a story, a connection.
“Art is a major connector of all cultures,” she says. “I admire the devotion and talent it takes to create something meaningful. Be bold in your collecting. Choose something local, exotic, fascinating.”
Wisdom for the Next Generation of Horse-Loving Explorers
Her advice is simple, but it carries the weight of a life well lived: “Combine your passions whenever you can. Horses and travel are a perfect pairing. Live outside the box. Just do it. Follow your dreams.”
It’s the kind of wisdom that comes from someone who has spent a lifetime in the saddle and who still believes the next great adventure is just over the horizon.
“Say yes to the adventure. Follow your dreams. They’re waiting for you.”
