NCHA News

Julie Hansma: 1963-2022

Julie Elizabeth Hansma earned her wings on Sunday, February 6th, after a long battle with a debilitating injury from a horse accident in 2018.  

Julie was born in Santa Monica, California, on July 15, 1963, to Thomas and Rosemary Dvorak. Her childhood was filled with horses, horses, and more horses. She spent several years under the guidance of Frank and Cindy Craighead, who would become lifelong friends. Rosemary traveled to Southern California to horse shows in a station wagon and trailer with Julie and younger brother Tommy in tow, helping them follow their dreams.  

After graduating high school, Julie went to work for Jack and Judy Adams and wet her feet in the cutting horse world. She then moved to Oklahoma and spent several years with the legendary Terry and Sharon Riddle. 

In 1993, Julie married the love of her life, Paul Hansma, and they settled down to raise their family in Weatherford, Texas. Julie was a talented cutting horse rider and member of the National Cutting Horse Association NonPro Hall of Fame. Julie was widely credited as being the driving force behind her husband, Paul, as he forged a successful career in the cutting horse industry. In addition to her many achievements in the arena, she had an even greater joy in mentoring young men and women in her circle. 

Much like Rose, Julie spent several years traveling the country with her own daughters hauling them to cutting horse events where they excelled and shared some of her family’s most sacred memories. 

Julie loved animals of all kinds—horses, dogs and cats that came her way all found a forever home with her, and she was known by all four-legged creatures as “the treat lady.” Julie was a gifted gardener, and her home was filled with wonderful hand-picked furnishings from forays to Round Top and other special places. 

Though Julie spent the majority of her life in Texas, she had a special bond with Ojai, California, where her second family, the Carpers reside. 

Julie was a member of Greenwood Baptist Church in Weatherford. She is survived by her husband, Paul, daughter Alannah Chartier (Scott), daughter Cade Messenger (Jaco), daughter McCall Hansma, mother and father, Tom and Rosemary Dvorak, brother Thomas Dvorak Jr. and his daughters Madison and Alyssa. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on February 11th at Greenwood Baptist Church, 1504 Greenwood Cutoff Rd., Weatherford TX. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution be made to one of the following: 
Michelle Lynn Holsey Foundation, PO Box 652, Crockett, TX 75835 
Horsemen For Christ, PO Box 9524, Wichita Falls, TX 76308 
Cutting Edge Retirement Foundation, 630 J.E. Woody, Springtown, TX 76082 
Greenwood Baptist Church, 1504 Greenwood Cutoff Rd., Weatherford TX 76088