Having grown up in a family with strong ties to the thoroughbred racing industry who own the successful breeding and training operation Adena Springs, it was no surprise that horses would become an integral part of her life. (Her grandfather is Frank Stronach, her mother is Belinda Stronach, and her father is Don Walker, Magna’s CEO).
Over the last ten years, Nikki has ridden a variety of horses and spent countless hours in the saddle. The hard work, perseverance and dedication has more than paid off. She has developed an unmistakeable smooth and effortless riding style that has made her almost unbeatable in the equitation ring and one of the most competitive junior jumper riders on the Ontario circuit.
Nikki’s earliest riding memories were as a four-year-old going for pony rides at her family’s farm. It was love at first ride and she was instantly hooked. By the age of seven she was taking riding lessons at Cornerstone Farms, and by 11 she began her show career in the short stirrup division. She soon graduated to the regular pony rings where she found great success with her medium pony, Goldmine, and large pony, Hint of Blue.
Nikki inevitably graduated to horses and 2010 was a benchmark year in her junior show career. Partnered with her trusty equitation horse, SS San Remo, she swept the OHJA equitation circuit awards, won the Rider’s Habit Junior Medal Finals, and was second in the OHJA Medal Finals. At the Royal Winter Fair, she won the Jump Canada Medal Finals, was second in the CET Medal Finals and capped off her junior hunter career by being awarded the junior hunter championship on the fabulous bay, Hypnotiq. She also collected a number of championship ribbons in the junior jumpers with her grey mare Catania Van De Dwerse Hagen, the quick bay Diplomat and the unorthodox but careful Palvero de Carene.
Always quick to credit those around her for her accomplishments, she remarked, “I know that I could never have achieved what I did last year without my family (her grandfather is her biggest fan), a talented group of horses, great coaching (she rode with trainers Darcy Hayes and Chris Sorenson) and an outstanding staff who take care of my horses both at home and on the road. We hired show groom Jonathan Vanstone at the start of the 2010 season and he has made my job as a rider easy. His care for the horses is second to none, and he keeps everything organized and running smoothly so my only job on show days is to focus on my riding.”
This year, the show season started off with some new additions to Nikki’s team. She began training with Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill in January and added two new horses to her already strong string of jumpers, the feisty bay mare Virtual Dancer and the scopey seven-year old Celline 2.
Beth explained what is special about Nikki’s riding and her ability to adjust to so many different types of rides. “What makes Nikki such a great rider is that she is a very empathetic rider. This gives her a great advantage and I think it’s the key in her ability to adapt to each of the horses different styles. She is very accurate and is able to give her horses a lot of confidence, and in turn they trust and respond well to the way she rides. She is also a strong, competitive rider, has remarkable focus, and rides her best when the pressure is on, a quality that many riders find difficult.”
This year Nikki also has her sights set on the major equitation finals in the US. Currently, she is qualified for the Maclay regionals and USEF Medal Finals. A highlight of the season so far was competing at the prestigious Devon Horse Show in May. She met up with top equitation trainer Missy Clarke and, once again partnered with the reliable SS San Remo, posted impressive results including a second place in the Maclay Medal and second in the USET.
“Devon is such a great horse show with so much history,” Nikki commented. “I was really happy with my results and Leal was perfect. He is such a great equitation horse. As long as I’m riding well I know he will always deliver. He will jump anything you put in front of him, no matter how spooky or complicated. I couldn’t have asked for a better equitation horse.”
Missy had this to add about Nikki’s medal final chances. “I’d have to say that Nikki is one of the most focused riders I’ve had the pleasure of working with. She’s always on time, prepared, and is willing to work hard. She is a wonderful student, and she has consistently been successful all year. I’m looking forward to the year-end finals … I think she has a great shot!”
In September, Nikki will be off to Laurier University where she is going to study environmental studies and business, and will continue to ride as much as possible. In October and November she will make trips to compete in the medal finals in Pennsylvania and at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.
With the 2012 season around the corner and her junior years coming to an end in December, what’s next in this talented young rider’s equestrian career? Next year Nikki’s attention will be geared strictly toward the jumper ring with the goal of qualifying and competing as part of Canada’s Young Riders team. In the long term, Nikki is not exactly sure how horses will fit into her life. “I definitely have to finish school first, so that will be a main priority over the next few years. I do know horses will always be a part of my life in some way. I just love being around them and caring for them and couldn’t imagine not having them in my life.”
