Its All BhindThe Zipr Retires at the 2023 APHA World Championship Show

“…for there is no other feeling in the world to compare with it if one loves a great horse. It gives a thrill that nothing else ever can. It cannot be put into words because words cannot express it.”– Samuel Riddle, requested as the quote to describe “Theo” by Talyn Smith.

By Delores Kuhlwein

If you’ve spent any time in the APHA show industry, you’ll know the name Its All BhindThe Zipr.  The 2004 Chestnut Overo gelding by All Time Fancy and out of ZipBy The Invester boasted a distinguished show career over his 17 years in the show ring, with almost 4,600 lifetime points, 8 world championships, APHA national show titles, and many more accolades.

His show companions who stood in the show ring while “Theo” was adorned with a World Champion neck ribbon included Brett Sanders, Cara Christensen, Talyn Smith, and our own Brittany Bevis-Vermeer, our former online editor of 13 years.

Theo took his last competitive steps in the John Justin Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, July 2^nd, at the 2023 APHA World Championship with Talyn Smith in the Amateur Western Horsemanship.  APHA paused to pay tribute to a lifetime of achievements, with many of Theo’s former riders and trainers present during the brief ceremony to show respect and admiration.

His retirement brought about plenty of memories and gratitude, including the athlete who started it all with him, Brittany Bevis-Vermeer.

“I remember when we first brought Theo home as a fluffy, little, potbelly yearling turning 2-year-old. He quickly grew up to look more like his father and inherited his height, good looks, and quirky personality,” she explains.

Brittany says that Theo was always an incredibly intelligent horse and he loved a challenge. She reveals, “He was  the best Showmanship horse I ever taught and his extra charm and sharp reflexes made him stand out. He wasn’t without his peculiar tendencies and never quite got used to being alone in the center of the arena, but I learned a long time ago that the truly great ones have that little bit of something extra and that’s what makes them special.”

Talyn Smith picked up the reins as the final exhibitor in his career and she says Theo had much to teach her.  “As a walk trotter in 2010, Brett Sanders and It’s All Bhindthe Zipr (Theo) were my favorite team and who I looked up to. I always told my mom Theo was my dream horse. After losing my own horse in 2016, I begged my mom to buy Theo.”

They bought the legendary Theo without even riding him, she explains, and that’s where their career together began. “He taught me so many things—patience, perseverance, belief, determination, appreciation, and most of all, how to be humble and to enjoy the journey. It was a

career of ups and downs, many long practices doing silly things like reversing on the rail, standing at the cone, or loping over a western riding pole 100 times…but I wouldn’t have changed a thing about it. Theo is forever hero—the horse that gave me a purpose and made me the rider I am today.”

Talyn says she’s extremely grateful all who have helped her over the years: “Brett Sanders, Tim & Shannon Gillespie, Tyler Schultz, The Christensen’s, Cindy Sundgren, and of course my parents, who gave me the opportunity to own my very own unicorn that I always dreamed of.”

Brittany adds, “I’m not sure how he’s going to enjoy retirement, but hopefully he finds some mares to pester for entertainment and can enjoy just being a horse after a long and admirable career!”

Theo has been part of our lives here at the Equine Chronicle, too, when he was featured in blogs, articles, and of course, in winning results.  Here are a few links to our coverage of him from over the years:

 

New APHA Youth Team Alert- Talyn Smith and Its All Bhindthe Zipr

 

Afternoon Champions at NSBA World Include Jones, Smith, Zuidema, Wilson, Sargent, Lennon

 

Back In The Saddle Again…

APHA Youth World Champions Include Christensen, Hanson, Clennon, Holyoak, Woulds