In Loving Memory of Huntin My Zipper (2010-2017)

By: Brittany Bevis

We are deeply saddened that we must relay the news of the passing of another great horse in the Quarter Horse industry. Huntin My Zipper, the 2010, AQHA gelding by Hubba Hubba Huntin and out of Ima Zipper Snipper, has been laid to rest. Known for his considerable success in the show pen with numerous wins at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and a 2013 NSBA Horse of the Year title, “Bob” was beloved by all who had the opportunity to know and love him, especially his owner, Larisa Walker-Affeldt.

With a stellar beginning under the guidance of High Point Performance Horses, Bob and former owner, Rebekah Kazakevicius, had great success in the Hunter Under Saddle pen winning the 3-Year-Old Limited Non Pro and 3-Year-Old Open Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle at the Quarter Horse Congress.

In addition, Bob and Beth Case were named Reserve Champions in Green Hunter Under Saddle and Reserve in the Limited Open with Sue Ellen Vickery. Then, in 2013, Bob was named the NSBA Horse of the Year and won three NSBA Year-End High Point awards in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle, and 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. As a 4-year-old, Bob and Rebekah were named Reserve Champions in the Non Pro Maturity at the Congress and Jason Martin won Junior Western Riding with a big score of 226.5.

But despite all the success in the show pen, it was Bob’s easygoing and fun-loving personality that endeared him to all he came into contact with. “He was more or less like a human than a horse,” Rebekah says. “There were times when I would pull off his bridle and go change leads with him. That’s something I would’ve never been able to do with my other Hunter Under Saddle horses. We had a special bond from the beginning. Winning the NSBA Horse of the Year title with him was something I never dreamed of. It’s such an honor to hold a spot on that list with so many other horses.”

“When I met Larisa, she was looking for a new all-around horse. For me, what has been very special is to see them grow together and go on and have success in other areas.”

Larisa purchased Bob at the 2014 Quarter Horse Congress with the intention of expanding his repertoire of classes into the Western division, in addition to competing in Novice Amateur and Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. Their first big win came at the 2015 NSBA World Show in Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. Larisa was thrilled to win her first ever neck ribbon, but, more than that, she was quickly learning how easily Bob became a part of the family.

“Everyone who met him, loved him,” she says. “I think the reason why people loved him so much was because he loved people. He would always have to touch people with that big, ole face of his. My eight-year-old son thought he was the best horse ever, because he could rest his forehead on Bob’s forehead, and he wouldn’t move. He just loved people well. He was not only talented; he had a great spirit about him, and that’s something you cannot explain in words.”

The unexpected loss of Bob, so early in his young life, has been devastating for Larisa and her family, but she is thankful to everyone who has reached out with words of condolence and encouragement. “I think the thing that made him so special is that he was my own. When I rode him, he felt like he was built for me. He was a joy, and that’s what makes it fun, when you have a horse that you have that type of a connection with. We were a great team. We may not have won every major title, but we were making progress and moving forward. I felt that someday we were going to be this amazing, unstoppable team, and I grieve that will never come to pass. I think about what would’ve been, could’ve been, and should’ve been, because we left so many things undone.”

Larisa thoroughly enjoyed showing Bob in Hunter Under Saddle, but what she loved the most was his exciting transition into Western events. “He had such a great lead change for Western Riding and Horsemanship. It was so easy for him. He was so much fun to show in Western Riding. He loved his job. He’s actually the first horse my 4-year-old son learned how to lope on. He was afraid to get on this big, tall horse, but he totally won him over and gave him confidence on a horse.”

“I think part of why this has been so hard is that I knew I would never sell him. He would live with our family forever, so I let myself get so emotionally attached. It totally caught me off guard and took the air out of my lungs. I’ve had horses all my life, and I’ve sold horses I really cared about, but this is the first time I’ve had to make that difficult decision to put one down.

Our sincerest condolences go out to the Affeldt family and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing this gentle giant. He will forever be remembered for his excellence in the show pen and his loving heart.

Click on the links below to view more EC articles about Huntin My Zipper:

Huntin My Zipper Named 2013 NSBA Horse of the Year

Jason Martin and Huntin My Zipper Score 226.5 to Win Junior Western Riding at QH Congress

Thursday Morning Winners at 2015 NSBA World Include Galyean, Dempze, Affeldt, and King