Savanah Hunziker Gets a Whirlwind Win in the 2023 Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes

By Jessica Hein, PHJ News 

 

Life’s been a whirlwind lately for Savanah Hunziker … literally.

Just a few weeks ago, Savanah and her horses survived the Tulsa tornado that ravaged the Pinto World Show—you might have seen photos of her yearling on Facebook in the flurry of aftermath posting.

“He went a little viral on Facebook because he was so cut up,” Savanah said. “Thankfully, he’s going to be OK.”

With plans upheaved like the trees and metal roofing that scattered the Oklahoma fairgrounds, Savanah had to quickly adjust her plans, finding a place to lay over with eight horses before heading to the APHA World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas.

Once settled into Cowtown, however, Savanah’s luck began to change—early in the show, on June 25, the young trainer scored a huge win, taking home the overall and Limited champion titles in the Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes class with Ill Wow Ya. The 2020 bay overo gelding, who is by The Wow Factor and out of A Big Affair, scored total payouts in excess of $12,700.

“It doesn’t even feel real. It’s been a long journey, especially with what happened in Tulsa,” Savanah said. “I’m new, out on my own, so this is a huge goal to reach so young. I can’t be any more thankful for the people who I have in my life, and the opportunities that have been presented and the horse. He’s been a dreamboat—he’s so easy and so much fun; I’m so thankful to have him in my program. I ‘ve always loved Paints. I had them growing up, and [winning] this is a dream come true.”

Ill Wow Ya is owned by Pamela Buckles of Paradise Valley, Arizona, and was bred by Paris Hughes of Burleson, Texas.

Huge Payouts in the 2023 Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes

The 2023 Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes classes paid out $105,500 across its four classes, making it a lucrative addition to the lineup for a number of exhibitors. Congratulations to the champions:

• Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes—$38,550 total purse

  • Overall & Limited Champion: ($9,830 open; $2,891 limited)
    • Savanah Hunziker & Ill Wow Ya, a 2020 bay overo gelding. By The Wow Factor x A Big Affair, the horse is owned/leased by Pamela Buckles of Paradise Valley, Arizona
  • Maiden Champion: $2,891
    • Alyse Roberts & O Soul Fancy, a 2020 bay overo mare. By All Time Fancy x Soul To Soul (QH), the horse is owned/leased by Janet Bruxer of Yukon, Oklahoma

• Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Stakes—$47,700 total purse

  • Overall Champion: $11,448
    • Laura Spell & Shesgotdaddyissues, a 2020 sorrel overo mare. By The Sugar Daddy x My Investments R Good, the horse is owned/leased by Heidi Kokemiller of Madrid, Iowa
  • Limited Champion: $2,385
    • Calli Rouse & Best Ingredient, a 2020 bay overo mare. By Lopin My Best (QH) x Special Ingredient, the horse is owned/leased by Joyce Sue Conklin of Hallsville, Missouri
  • Maiden Champion: $2,683
    • Karen Qualls & Make Mine Chilled, a 2020 chestnut overo gelding. By Make Me Shine x Just Chillin It, the horse is owned/leased by Jennifer Barbee of Sanger, California

• Breeders’ Trust Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes: $9,790 total purse 

  • Champion: $3,916
    • Stephanie Mohindra & How Bout A Goodride, a 2020 blue roan overo gelding. By VS Goodride (QH) x Ms Silver Sensation, the horse is owned/leased by Stephanie Mohindra of Pilot Point, Texas

• Breeders’ Trust Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Stakes: $9,620 total purse

  • Champion: $3,848
    • Taylor Kokemiller & Shesgotdaddyissues, a 2020 sorrel overo mare. By The Sugar Daddy x My Investments R Good, the horse is owned/leased by Heidi Kokemiller of Madrid, Iowa