BOLING, Texas – When Jan Hanson secretly purchased a Brahman as a Christmas gift for her husband, she wasn’t just wrapping up another present — she was helping fulfill a lifelong dream.
The former Miss California International 2008 and her husband David Hanson, a professional horse trainer, traveled to V8 Ranch in Boling, Texas, early January to pick up Pretzel, a Brahman cow that represents their next chapter in agriculture.
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For David Hanson, who grew up around Brahman cattle, the gift marks a return to his roots.
“I think it started years ago as a child. I had a Braham bull, I loved their demeanor and their character, his name was Macho. He was a very good companion when I was young,” David said.
In 2021, David surprised Jan for her birthday with Scooter, a Braham bull from V8 Ranch. With the addition of Pretzel at their California ranch, Lucky H Livestock, the couple plans to breed the iconic Texas cattle once again.
“I came up with Lucky H Livestock simply because I felt lucky for the situation that Jan and I had to share in the animals and to diversify the companions that we have here,” David said.
Their choice of V8 Ranch as their source for breeding stock is strategic — the family-owned ranch stands as one of the largest and most respected Brahman cattle operations in the world, with their branded cattle now found across six continents, and a significant presence at livestock shows such as the upcoming Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
“With Pretzel, she and all of the Hansons’ Braham cattle, have excellent pedigrees full of many famous ancestors,” said Catherine Neumayr from V8 Ranch. Pretzel is the granddaughter of the famous JDH Liberty bull.
The couple’s story bridges two distinct worlds: Jan’s background in competitive horse show jumping and beauty pageants with David’s experience in professional horse training and Brahman cattle. Their shared passion for animals has now evolved into a joint venture that connects California agriculture with Texas cattle country.
For the Hansons, acquiring Pretzel from V8 Ranch represents more than just a Christmas surprise — it’s the foundation for their dream of establishing a premier Brahman breeding program in California, bringing a piece of Texas cattle country to the West Coast.
“It’s a small operation right now, but it’s our home, it’s our passion, and so we’d love to have people out that we can share our passion with,” Jan said.