Nacon "Niki" Wilde is a mother, wife, and avid horsemanship student in Utah. Niki didn't start her life with horses until she was an adult. So she understands the difficulties that arise from learning new things in that stage of your life. She takes great care to help others understand the process of learning horsemanship, no matter where or when they decide to start. After graduating the Parelli program and riding on the Savvy Team in 2005, she went on to study with many amazing horseman and woman such as; Jack Brainard, Craig Johnson (World Champion in Reining), Karen Rohlf (Founder of Dressage, Naturally), and recently studied in Portugal with the world-renowned Senor Luis Valenca and his super talented family. 

 

It was at a Jack Brainard clinic in 2004 where Jack told Niki; "You and your horse are the reason we need Cowboy Dressage." At which point Niki started a more in-depth study of Classical Dressage, while also studying Reining. She was fortunate to start working with Craig Johnson and Karen Rohlf that same year. As she was expanding her knowledge outside of her comfort zone, she learned first-hand about different aspects of training and showing horses that were not congruent with the principles she had set for her own personal horsemanship. So she went back to work, gaining more experience with horses by handling hundreds of foals and young horses, working with hundreds of problem horses, and helping people with difficulties they may be having with their own horses. During this time she wrote a book; "Me and Mr. B; Using Natural Horsemanship Techniques to Raise A Child With Autism" It details the beginning of her horsemanship journey as her and her husband, Kim were raising their two sons. (The oldest of which has Autism) 

 

After waiting over a decade for Cowboy Dressage to develop, she finally met and rode with Eitan Beth-Halachmy and found something she had been waiting, and preparing her horsemanship knowledge for. A sport that is for every horse and every person. A sport that puts the relationship and 'soft feel' first. A sport that is inspiring and fun for the horse and their people.  

 

"Dressage equals Massage" is something she says often, as she teaches others how to use the Cowboy Dressage patterns to deepen the partnership between horse and rider. Thus creating the life-long bond with their horses that they dream of. Niki remembers the frustration she sometimes felt during her horsemanship journey, and hopes to help others by creating an environment where everyone can learn to ride and train, judgement free, with the care and instruction they need in order to excel. Her focus, like Cowboy Dressage, is on the relationship between horse and rider and this helps her students find the love, peace and joy that comes from creating partnerships with their horses. 

 

Niki is currently an Endorsed Level 2 Cowboy Dressage Clinician and Judge. Niki continues to study closely with Karen Rohlf and all of the Cowboy Dressage Partners. Niki believes that the more she studies, the more she has to share with others. 

 

 

 

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