| Ansata El Shahwan | ||
| Currawong Kopoola | ||
| Khandy | ||
| Nikita Bint Kopoola | ||
| Arabian Park Nureyev | ||
| Chipala Brigida | ||
| Bathos |
Nikita Bint Kopoola is a grey Arabian mare foaled in Oct 86.
Nikita started her endurance career in late 1991 with two short training rides. She handled these with ease, travelling with a long, floating trot. In 1992 she qualified as an endurance horse with four completions including a tough ride of 118 km at Hill End in Gippsland.
The first three years of Nikita’s endurance career set the foundation for two very successful and consistent years of competition.
1995 was a great year for Nikita. Highlights include 1st Heavyweight at the 160 km VERA State Championship at Myrtleford and the 160 km Gippsland Zone Championship at Toora, and completions at the 250 km Jog-A-Long Marathon and 240 km Mt Cole Challenge. From eleven starts in 1995 she had four 1st places and four 2nd places, she completed 1386 km and won the Gippsland Zone and Victorian Champion Heavyweight Horse awards for points and distance. Nikita achieved her Australian Arabian Roll Of Merit Champion status in the Working Section and her 1600 km Distance Scroll. Nikita achieved fourth place in the National Heavyweight Section awards.
In 1996, Nikita again won the Victorian Heavyweight Horse points and distance awards, more than doubling the scores of her nearest competitors. She has achieved her 3000 km distance award (now up to 4430 successful kilometres) and placed seven times in thirteen rides. Nikita completed her second 250 km Jog-A-Long Marathon, earned her Quilty buckle, completed the State Championship, and gained her second completion at the 240 km Mt Cole Challenge.
Nikita has won the National Heavyweight Horse hi-points and distance titles. She clocked up a massive 1614 competitive kilometres in the 1996 season alone! Despite the great distance she trotted during the year in competition, she still looked great and won at two Arabian shows in December, immediately after her long endurance campaign. She went to stud in January 1997 and was bred to the arabian stallion Arabian Park Saiyid (Mustafa x Ellenna). Hopefully, she will produce a champion.
Conservative riding has seen Nikita complete ride after ride, more often than not placing in her section. Even after all the competition, Nikita is keen and fresh. She would probably be the most scrutinised horse in Victoria. Since the beginning of 1995 she has been checked by a veterinarian and passed as sound over 100 times! This game little mare carries 95 kg of rider and gear and never quits. She has earned a special place in her partner's heart with a bond formed through many thousands of kilometres and hours in partnership.
Future goals for Nikita include her 5000 km and greater distance awards and a completion in the 400 km Shahzada Memorial Test, when she resumes competition after producing her treasure.
PS: 29 December 1997. Nikita produced a bay filly foal. Zaraband really looks the goods, and hopefully will be as successful as her mother.
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