Tracey suggested his name, and with Norma's help, started training NIKOMA. He had a lot of wins in the first years, but it was not until NIKOMA was three that he won his first championship, at the 1983 Goulburn Valley Championships. And that was the beginning.

 

There is not too much this horse has not won. At halter he achieved the rare honour of double Australian Champion, two Arabian Classic Supremes, plus 4 championships and 2 reserves and he had won every age class from yearling to veteran. There was also National Stud Show Grand Champion Gelding, East Coast Champion Gelding and many, many champions and Supremes at Victoria's many A class shows.

Paul Walker photos

Paul Walker photos

1988 East Coast Champion Senior Gelding

As an English saddle horse, at limited outings, he was Champion and Reserve, and in the Western Pleasure and Trail, again he was very successful, with his last awards being, 1997 Classic 1st Western Pleasure and 1997 Australian National Top 5 Western Pleasure horse at 16 years of age.

NIKOMA gave countless halter lessons and has been a true ambassador for the Arabian horse. There are not too many people, children and adults, that could walk past without giving this gentle 15.1h giant, with the 6 foot long tail, a pat and a cuddle, "and that included me!" says Tracey.

"I sometimes thought that the day NIKOMA died would be the worst day of my life. But I found out that it wasn't."

 

"On February 21st 2002, NIKOMA was found in his stable in terrible discomfort and his stable showed signs of distress. After the initial check from our local vet, NIKOMA was taken to the Werribee Veterinary Hospital where they did exploratory surgery, to find that there was absolutely nothing that could be done for him. Mum and I were in the surgery when this was found. We said our goodbyes and then I stood and gently stroked my best friend as he was put to sleep. When I woke the next morning, I realised this was the worst day of my life......... as it was the first day I had to live without NIKOMA !"

 

"I thank my parents so much for giving me the opportunity to own such a fabulous horse, in and out of the show ring. All I have now are memories, but some very, very precious ones at that !!"

His many awards include:

 

1984 Australian National Arabian Champion Gelding

Judge: Dr Ibrahim Zlagoul {EAO}

 

1985 Australian National Arabian Champion Futurity Gelding

 

1997 Australian National Arabian Championships

Top 5 Western Pleasure

1997 Arabian Classic

1st Veteran Gelding 15 years and over

1st Western Pleasure

Judge: Ray Newman {Aus}

1996 Yarra Valley Arabian Championships

1st Western Pleasure

Judge: Linda Jacobs {Aus}

1994 Yarra Valley Arabian Championships

1st Open Western Pleasure

Champion Western Pleasure

Judge: Sheila Jones {Aus}

1994 South Coast Championships

1st Trail

Judge:Geoff Griffin {Aus}

1993 Arabian Classic

Senior Champion Gelding

Supreme Purebred Gelding

1992 Yarra Valley Arabian Championships

Senior Champion Gelding

Judge: Wayne Houghston {USA}

1992 Lilydale Agricultural Show

Champion Ridden Arabian

Judge: Viki Read {Aus}

1992 Dandenong Agricultural Show

Reserve Champion Ridden Purebred Arabian

Judge: David Kemp {Aus}

1992 Yarra Glen Agricultural Show

Champion Ridden Purebred Arabian

Judge: David Kemp {Aus}

1992 Arabian Feature Show

1st Novice Ridden Purebred Arabian

Judge: Margaret Bohm {Aus}

1992 Arabian Classic

Senior Champion Gelding

1989 Arabian Classic

Reserve Champion Gelding

Judge: Val Males {Aus}

1989 Yarra Valley Arabian Championships

Senior Champion Gelding

Supreme Gelding

1988 Arabian Classic

Champion Gelding

1988 East Coast Championships

Senior Champion Gelding

Judge: Shawn Crews {USA}

1986 National Arabian Stud Show

Senior Champion Gelding

Grand Champion Gelding

Judge: Alby Glassford {Aus}

1986 Arabian Classic

Reserve Champion Gelding

Judge: Ian Rettalck {Aus}

1985 Goulburn Valley Arabian Championships

Champion Purebred Gelding

Supreme Gelding

1985 Riverina Arabian Show

Champion Purebred Gelding

Judge: Peter Pond {Aus}

1985 Arabian Classic

Champion Purebred Gelding

Supreme Gelding Exhibit

Judge: Anita Simons {Aus}

1985 South Coast Arabian Championships

Champion Purebred Gelding

Judge: Ron Males {Aus}

1984 Goulburn Valley Arabian Championships

Champion Purebred Gelding

Judge: Hilary Nichols {Aus}

1984 Versatile Arabian Show

Champion Purebred Gelding

Judge: Louis Thring {Aus}

1983 Goulburn Valley Arabian Championships

Champion Purebred Gelding

Judge: Peter Pond {Aus}

1982 Arabian Classic

1st Yearling Gelding

1st Yearling Gelding Futurity

 

NIKOMA doing what he did best........... socialising!

1985 Arabian Classic

Champion Gelding