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Williamson's Winning Ways

Jul 24, 2017, 21:09 PM by Sally Harrison

Non-Pro Classic

At 63, Joe Howard Williamson has been the king of the weekend shows for Mz Savanah Ichi decades, winning three NCHA Non-Pro World Championships, and taking his place in the Non-Pro Hall of Fame with $1.2 million in earnings.

On Monday, July 24, he broke new ground with a half-point win in the NCHA Non-Pro Classic Challenge. It was his first major win in Will Rogers Coliseum, and his estimated paycheck of $16,567 is his biggest ever for a single run. He’s also the second oldest rider, after Bob Kingsley (65 in 2004) to win the Classic Challenge.
After setting the top cumulative score (218 / 218.5 / 436.5) in the go-rounds, Williamson marked 221.5 as the second rider in the second set of the finals. Kristen Galyean marked 221 on Button Down Supercat later in the set for the reserve honors.

Miz Savanah Ichi was bred by Jo Ellard’s EE Ranches, by Cat Ichi out of Snicker Roo, by SR Instant Choice. The 6-year-old mare’s sire and dam both go back to Ellard’s foundation mare, $1.4 million producer Laney Doc.

The 2017 NCHA Classic Challenge Open champion Ichis My Choice, is also by Cat Ichi.

Snicker Roo has produced earners of more than $400,000, including Rue Du Ichi ($177,000), winner of the Mercuria NCHA World Series at Calgary Stampede Non-Pro this month; and Ichi La Roo ($113,000).

Miz Savanah Ichi was a multiple novice and open finalist at the NCHA Eastern and Western National Championships under EE Ranches trainer Guy Woods before Williamson bought the mare.

Williamson, a rancher from Wichita Falls, Texas, was NCHA Non-Pro World Champion in 1999, 2004 and 2006 and Reserve World Champion in 2013.