In the Saddle with Adult Rider, Nikki Webb

This story is from the August 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

Nikki, introduce yourself to our readers, how would you describe yourself? My name is Nikki Webb, I’m 50 years old and I live in the upper Yarra Valley with my youngest daughter, our two dogs, three retired horses, and our chickens. I’m lucky enough to work full time at Horseland in Lilydale. I’d describe myself as a fairly outgoing person… maybe even a little bit quirky. 

Why do you have horses? How do you justify the money, time, and dedication they require? I’ve always been interested in horses at a young age. I think once you have the bug it never really leaves you. Now that my children are older and not so dependent anymore I feel it’s really important to have an interest and doing something like this is good for my mind, body and soul. How do I justify the money... I try to ignore that part as much as I can.

When did you discover your passion for horses and what was your early equestrian life like? I was lucky enough to grow up in Warrandyte when it was still quite rural. My older sisters both had ponies so of course, I wanted to be just like them. My parents bought me a Shetland pony called Onyx when I was very young. Unfortunately, he probably wasn’t the best kids pony but somehow we survived. I then moved onto my eldest sisters pony Sasha who was fantastic. I think he is the reason I still ride horses. I went through pony club with him, did some small competitions and basically spent my childhood and teenage years with him. I then moved onto a part-bred Quarter Horse called JD also a cracker of a horse. We also did some adult riders and a few small competitions but again mainly just rode out and had a ball. 

How did your equestrian pursuits change when you became pregnant at 21? When I became pregnant with my first daughter I did not want to stop riding. Unfortunately, the fear of hurting the baby combined with where we were living at the time made continuing nearly impossible. I still had JD at this point and I leased him out for a while but practicality got the better of me and I ended up selling him on and deciding at the time that my riding days were over. 

Do you currently have a partner, if so what do they think of your passion for horses? I’m currently single so I have no one to answer to which I love. 

When did you return to horses after children and what was the process of returning? When my eldest daughter was seven I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a property with 40 acres in Warburton. Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was yay, I can get back into riding. I (too hastily) went and bought myself a 16.3hh Thoroughbred who was entirely unsuitable. I’d not ridden for over seven years, my skills had disappeared and I had a new nervousness which I think every parent has. Then I became pregnant for the second time. Another year off for the Thoroughbred plus me with another new baby is not a good combination. I ended up moving him on and concentrating on being a mum again. 

Had your outlook on riding changed? Definitely. I, for one, was a lot more nervous. I think that a lot of people, after they have children, become more aware that if anything happens to them then how will they cope. I’d also lost my skills and definitely did not have the same body as I did beforehand. 

What did your loss of confidence mean for your riding? When my youngest daughter was five I bought a Quarter Horse called Charlie. He was a big solid young horse and unfortunately not the best behaved. I was frustrated with myself and told myself I’d keep trying with him. He went off to a few trainers but even so he was inconsistent and in my opinion dangerous. He would be cool calm and collected one day and the next broncing like a pro. I had a lot of falls off him before I decided my life was probably more important than persisting. He is living out a happy retirement in my paddock at home. 

How did you approach looking for a safer horse? I was still on the hunt for a suitable horse but this time the wisdom that comes with age took over. I wasn’t going to just buy the first horse I liked the look of or was a pretty colour. One of the girls I worked with had a great Quarter Horse which I’d always admired and she suggested I go and see Trish Wettenhall at Triandibo Quarterhorse Stud. Trish knew some of my history and made a suggestion which even now probably sounds a bit crazy. I bought an unbroken Quarter Horse filly, Triandibo Naturallynx (Alaska).
Trish’s reasoning was that she would break and educate her for me and in the meantime, I can ride any of her gorgeous horses and at the same time play a part in Alaska’s education. Definitely an out of the box option and not something I’d recommend unless you have the guarantee of a great trainer and a LOT of patience. But it’s really working for me. In the past two years, my confidence and knowledge have grown incredibly. I’m surrounded by a great group of ladies at Triandibo who give constant support and encouragement. Alaska is a quirky horse but I think we suit each other perfectly. There have been times when I’m so frustrated I wonder if I’ve done the wrong thing but I think we all have those times. Trish is great at pushing you just enough to make you do something but never to the point where you feel uncomfortable and all her horses and riders are an absolute credit to her as a trainer. 

Is competition something you are interested in? The girls at the paddock will kill me but I’m probably not as interested in competition as I should be. In saying that I have a beautiful horse and it would be a shame not to get her out and about. I think she and her breeder/trainer deserve it. Who knows, I may catch the competing bug. 

How do your equestrian achievements improve your everyday life? I’ve always been fairly outgoing but now I have a newfound confidence which comes with knowledge and being brave. 

What are your aims now? Right now I’m really happy with just learning as much as I can. I will definitely do some shows with Alaska in the near future. Ultimately, I just want a nice, quiet, educated horse that I can go from the show ring to a ride down the trail on. I’m certain that finally, I’m on the right track.

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