Decorated AQHA show horse Zippos Tiger Bar was laid to rest today in Wisconsin at the age of 32.

Bred by Reynolds Inc. in Lexington, Nebraska, the 1989 gelding was sired by Zippos Mr Good Bar and out of Lori Tiger (by Tiger Leo).

Known in the industry simply as “Butch,” his legendary show career began under the guidance of Oklahoma trainer Troy Compton when his client, Ann Admonius, sent the youngster to Compton to start under saddle. Compton, who calls Butch “my defining horse” rode Zippos Tiger Bar to wins in the 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure at all three legs of the Tom Powers Triple Challenge Futurity as well as Congress and AQHA World Championship titles. Compton and and Admonius went on to earn AQHA Superior awards with Butch in Open and Amateur Western Pleasure.

Joetta (Meredith) Bell added a Youth Superior award in Western Pleasure to Zippo Tiger Bar’s resume. Together, they won the 12-14 Youth Western Pleasure at the Congress in 1994 and placed in the Top 10 at the AQHYA World Show several times.

In 2009 Ray Alderman purchased Zippos Tiger Bar for his daughter, Aubrey to show in youth classes.

“Butch turned out to be the wisest expense of my life,” Ray said. “He taught my daughter life lessons that I consider priceless.” 

Aubrey rode Butch to a Reserve Congress Championship in 11 & Under Youth Trail in 2011 and finished his show career by placing 12^th in Equitation at the 2014 AQHYA World Show. Butch was retired to Aubrey’s grandfather, Jim McKillips’ family farm in Beloit, Wisconsin.

In all, Zippos Tiger Bar earned 885 Open, Amateur and Youth Points in eight different events and logged $16,178 in NSBA earnings during his 23-year show career. He was honored by the NSBA with the association’s Legacy Award in 2019.

Click here to read our story on Zippo Tiger Bar: https://instrideedition.com/zippos-tiger-bar-a-show-horse-most-all-his-life-with-a-big-fan-club/