The Zippo Can Do story is one of charity, chance and amazing returns. In July of 1992 at the Tom Powers futurity, Don and Karen Lawrence purchased a breeding to Zippo Pine Bar, donated by Bob and Ann Perry for the benefit of Rodney Miller's family.

Rodney was killed in a tragic vehicle accident in February of the same year, leaving behind a wife and three small children. He had been a good friend to both Don and Karen for a long time. Karen said " Don bought the Zippo Pine Bar stud fee, and at the time we didn't own a broodmare." Donny knew of a mare owned by another friend, Mark Carne. 'A Girl Named Jones' was seventeen years old and had been primarily bred to halter stallions but always produced foals that were above-average movers and could perform as well. They bought the mare and sold her to Don's father, Paul Lawrence, after she was in foal to Zippo Pine Bar, making him the actual owner of Zippo Can Do.

Paul Lawrence had been in the breeding business for 40 years (mainly working with cutters and ropers) and was 77 when Zippo Can Do became his first World Champion, this is also the first stud he has chosen to keep. and Can Do brings him a lot of happiness.

Zippo Can Do was foaled on May 31, 1994. Complications from foaling resulted in this being the last foal for A Girl Named Jones. She was euthanized when Zippo Can Do was weaned. Karen and Don thought that Can Do was something special from the beginning. "His unique beginnings, and mannerisms... he was always the last one to the feed bunk. I've never seen him in a hurry about anything," Karen said.

Cleve Wells and Don Lawrence had developed a friendship over the years. So as a two year old Zippo Can Do was taken to Cleve for his evaluation. Cleve was instructed to treat Can Do as his own. It was in the capable hands of Cleve Wells that Zippo Can Do's career began. A late baby, he was still growing, so it was not until 1997 that Can Do made his debut in the show pen at Tulsa Oklahoma. Almost 5 years from the date that the Rodney Miller benefit stud fee had been bought. Zippo Can Do won the Tulsa Futurity and the Jr. Western Pleasure Circuit Award and finished the 1997-show season as NSBA Res. Champion 3 Yr. Old Western Pleasure falling short of the top position by only one-half of a point (Shown only six times)! He also accumulated 21.5 AQHA Jr. Western Pleasure Points in only 14 times out.

Zippo Can Do began his 1998 campaign in Florida and Arizona where he was Circuit Champion Jr. Western Pleasure Horse and had qualified for the 1998 World Show. By January 29, 1998 Zippo Can Do had completed his Superior Pleasure award and qualified for the World Show. He then returned home in Minnesota to breed 48 mares his first season at stud. After which he returned to Cleve Wells Quarter Horses in late summer in preparation for the Congress and World Show. He won Reserve Champion in Jr. Pleasure at the Congress.

Karen said, "It was our first time (to have an Open Division entry at the World Show), and we did not know what to expect. We did love our horse and we were very excited for him. We just wanted him to have a good ride and we had all the confidence in world in Cleve. People were so nice and so good to us about him. Other stallion owners were saying, 'Go get 'em' and 'He should be right up there.' Just hearing that was exciting! But we didn't want to get our expectations too high. Then he went out there and he always looks so good, he just loves to show. He's ears are up and he acts like 'this is my job, watch me do it.' He is a show off at heart. He is just fun."

Karen and Don could not say they really had expectations of winning, only hopes and dreams that this might be Can Do's time. Karen sent Can Do in the pen with a big ol' lipstick smooch on his face (and wondered if anyone else noticed). They were pleased with his go around's and the way he enjoyed his work. "He is just happy doing it, he just loves it" she said.

Before the finals Can Do was second by two points. In the finals it seemed he took it all on his shoulders. It was like he said, "Just watch me do it". He just went out there and mesmerized you. "There was no doubt he was a winner, he won by 100 points. Karen stated that she did not see anyone else's ride her eyes were constantly on Zippo Can Do the 1998 World Champion Jr. Western Pleasure Horse. She was very thankful, and hopes that everyone can experience the feeling of winning the World.

It was brought to their attention later, that Rodney Miller had won the 25th Annual Quarter Horse Congress, and Zippo Can Do, bought in his honor, was winner of the 25th Annual World Horse Show. They felt it was notable that good things could come from a bad situation. Many kind people made way for the Rodney Miller story to continue through Zippo Can Do and they felt very fortunate to be a part of it.

Zippo Can Do is now enjoying a new career as a sire of pleasure horses. He will be standing the 2005 season at Lawrence Quarter Horses in their brand new remodeled breeding facilities under the guidance of breeding manager, Shellie Sanders. Direct inquiries to Karen Lawrence at 13279 Hwy 61 Blvd. Welch, Minnesota 55089 or call 651-388-5401 Cell 651-503-8502 for more information.

NOTES: Don Lawrence is a general contractor and real estate broker. His wife Karen is a nurse they have a young son named Chad. They both grew up in horse families. Karen's father is Bernard Fairchild who owns Dandy Seeker. Karen grew up showing all-around pleasure horses while Don's background was in rodeo. They look forward to building a small band of good mares to breed to Zippo Can Do. Chad is involved in all of the activities and sure to follow in the families' footsteps.