The Life and Times of Zippos Sensation

Click here to read the complete article
34 – November/December, 2016

By Susan Winslow
Photos by Cappy Jackson

The long list of champions to come out of Simons Show Horses in Pilot Point, Texas is a testimonial to the late Lynn Simons’ ethos: produce quality horses with style, substance, and good minds. Lynn’s wife, Andrea, is a respected trainer, clinician, and APHA, AQHA, NRHA, NSBA, and NRCHA accredited judge. Daughters Sara and Jana, both multiple World Champions, teamed with Andrea to carry on Lynn’s vision following the loss of their father in a car accident in 2005. Lynn was one of the most respected professionals in the industry, and these talented, hard
working horsewomen each brought a special gift and talent to the family to help continue their success, producing consistent winners at the elite level. While Simons Show Horses has produced many exceptional horses, the magnificent overo stallion, Zippos Sensation, is their crown jewel. This prolific, 1993 APHA stallion made a huge impact on the Paint world. When he passed earlier this year at the age of 23, he left a legacy that would have made Lynn proud.

Zippo is the only APHA Stallion to be inducted into the NSBA Hall of Fame and his offspring have exceeded the $1,000,000 mark in NSBA earnings. He was the APHA’s leading Breeder’s Trust sire for 15 consecutive years.

Zippo’s Career Highlights Include:

• 1994 APHA World Show Yearling Longe Line Sweepstakes Champion
• Sire of get that have won 170 APHA World Champion titles
• Sire of get that have won 162 Reserve World Championships
• Get have earned 183,970 APHA points (Open, Youth, Amateur, Novice and SPB divisions)
• APHA Breeders’ Trust Leading Sire since 2001
• No. 1 APHA Lifetime Leading Sire of Performance Point Earners
• No. 1 APHA Lifetime Leading Sire of Performance Points Earned
• No. 2 APHA Lifetime Leading Sire of Halter Point Earners

Jessica Hein, American Paint Horse Association Director of Member Care & Publications, describes his impact on the industry. She says, “Zippos Sensation has left an indelible mark on the Paint Horse breed. A beautiful, kindhearted stallion, Zippo was an ambassador for the entire Paint Horse breed, setting new standards of excellence in a number of different venues and categories throughout the horse industry. Zippo’s record as a sire speaks for itself, and his impact will continue long after his passing through the legacy of his get.”

Andrea Simons recalls the buying trip that brought the young colt into their life back in 1993. “Lynn was down in Alabama looking at horses at Joe Bachmuth’s place when he saw Zippos Sensation out in the field. We were just two horse trainers trying to make a go of our business, and we didn’t have a lot to spend on a horse. At the time, a colt of his caliber was out of our price range, but Joe was getting out of the business and he was willing to work with us. Lynn saw something in this colt and bought him even though he was just a baby. We knew he came from good bloodlines. His sire, Zippo Pine Bar, was in the Hall of Fame and his dam, Satin N Lace, was a multiple World Champion in Halter before becoming a Honor Roll Champion in Western Pleasure as a three-year-old. I will always be grateful that Joe let us take Zippos Sensation on payments, because that’s the only way we could afford a horse of his caliber at that time. We moved things around to pay him off quickly, and it was one of the best decisions we ever made.”

The Simons bought the young colt as an investment, fully planning to sell him at some point in the future, but this special colt had other plans. He captivated the young family with his charisma, athleticism, and sweet nature. He also hit the ground running in his short but exceptional show career, winning a World Championship his first time out. An injury cut short his promising show career, but by then Lynn and Andrea Simons knew they had something special and decided to keep Zippos Sensation as a breeding stallion.

Jana Simons, who’s currently a law student, says, “My Dad took a leap of faith when he bought Zippo. I just wish he was here to see just how great Zippo’s impact has been. This horse changed our life, and he changed so many perceptions about Paint horses, in such a good way. He gave legitimacy to the color breeds because people saw that Zippo’s offspring could compete and win anywhere, against any breed.”

Click here to read the complete article
34 – November/December, 2016