Niki Clarke: Adventures From Montana to the Dressage Ring
By Kimberly Gatto
Portraits by Melissa Fuller
Named for the creek that rippled through her family’s Montana cattle ranch, Nicholia “Niki” Clarke was born with an adventurous spirit—and a deep love of horses. “We always had horses on the ranch to run the cattle,” Niki said. “As a baby, I would scream and cry until my mother bundled me up and brought me out to see the horses. I think my very first word was ‘horse.’”
Decades later, Niki’s love for equines has only grown stronger, as has her sense of adventure. “Most of my early career was spent riding horses that were difficult or quirky,” she said. “I didn’t have the funds to purchase a made dressage horse, so I took on horses that were bolters, rearers or those that bucked people off. They were basically the horses that nobody else wanted to ride. And, to the best of my ability, I made them into very good horses.”
As owner and operator of Dressage Unlimited, a boutique training barn based in Hamilton, Montana, and Wellington, Florida, Niki has developed multiple horses to the Grand Prix level. She is also a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist and was the inaugural recipient of The Dressage Foundation’s Debbie McDonald Fund grant, which provides monies to train aspiring FEI riders. With luck on her side, Niki hopes to soon embark on her first European tour, with an ultimate goal of one day representing the U.S. in international competitions.
Born to Ride
Born into a family of ranchers, Niki became hooked on horses while still a toddler. “I was raised taking care of animals and all that it entails,” she said. “And the riding was in my blood, though I hadn’t had any formal training.” After her parents divorced when she was just 2 years old, Niki moved with her mother to Arizona. “When I was 8, my dad asked if I’d like to start taking English riding lessons,” she said. “Of course I wanted to. I began eventing when I was 10 and there was no turning back. It was all I wanted to do.”
One of Niki’s first mounts was a mixed-breed chestnut mare named Olympic Gold. “I called her Maybe because every day was different—maybe she would jump or maybe she wouldn’t,” Niki said. “But she was a good horse and taught me a lot, especially how to stay on!”
At age 11, Niki began riding a young Westphalian called Dominik, who had been bred by the family of her then-trainer, Shari Patterson. “At first, I was a little bit afraid of Dominik because he bolted with me in the ring, but I stuck with him,” Niki said. “I’m so glad that I did, because he ended up being the most incredible horse.”
Under the tutelage of famed event rider Amy Barrington, Niki and Dominik were frequent winners on the eventing circuit, even securing Horse of the Year honors for their division one season. “I did my first Intermediate course when I was 14,” Niki said. “I didn’t realize that I was technically underage at the time; Dominik gave me confidence well beyond my years.”
Niki’s years with Dominik taught her the value of having a deep partnership with a horse. “Our bond was absolutely incredible,” she said. “I sold Dominik when I was moving east to ride with David and Karen O’Connor; it was time for him to teach the next generation. Any time I would visit, he would scream loudly as soon as he heard me coming up to the barn.”
When he was ready to retire, the gelding came back to live with Niki. “I had him for the rest of his life,” she said. “I feel so grateful to have had such an amazing partnership with him. I credit that horse for instilling in me the value of hard work and teaching me to always put the horse first. I truly believe that Dominik made me into the horsewoman I am today.”
Dressage Unlimited
While she was in college, Niki took a short break from riding to focus on her studies. “I was thinking of becoming a nurse, following in the footsteps of my mother and grandmother. I loved school and learning,” Niki said. “But when I was away, I missed the horses terribly. Finally I had to make a choice between finishing school and becoming a professional rider. Obviously, the horses won out.”
It was around this time that Niki turned her focus solely to dressage. “In all my years of eventing, I had always loved the dressage phase. I was enamored with the precision and beauty of it all,” she said. “And I enjoyed teaching our event horses—usually average Thoroughbreds or crosses—to move with more expression in their gaits in order to improve their scores. My trainer at the time, Jules Anderson, helped me cultivate that love of dressage and encouraged me to go to Europe to further my education in the sport.”
In 2004, Niki traveled to Holland to train under international dressage rider—and former Dutch team member—Bert Rutten. “It was an incredible experience to be able to learn from Bert and to ride some really nice warmbloods over there,” Niki said. “And I learned how it’s supposed to feel when it all comes together.”
After four months in Europe, the young rider came home with more enthusiasm and passion for dressage than ever. She established Dressage Unlimited, a training barn with a focus on developing young horses for competition and sales. “I took on ‘problem’ horses and young greenies that others were struggling with,” Niki said. “Since I didn’t have the money to purchase a made Grand Prix horse, I figured I would do my best to create my own.”
The first of such horses was a 12-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood called Nimbus. “He had just started flying changes when I began working with him,” Niki said. “He was a ‘hot’ horse and had become too difficult for his owner. It took a lot of patience and hard work on my part, but he ended up really becoming something special.” Among other accomplishments, the once-challenging horse placed an impressive second in the 2007 USEF National Young Adult Brentina Cup Dressage Championship with Niki in the irons.
“The Brentina Cup was such an accomplishment for Nimbus,” Niki said. “I am forever grateful to his owner, Diane Morey, for entrusting me with him.” Unfortunately, part of Niki’s job involves finding new owners for the horses she trains. “With Nimbus, we had to sell him after he got to Grand Prix. It was sad for me to see him go, but I had to reconcile with the fact that my role is not only to develop these horses to the best of my ability, but also to prepare them for new owners.”
Three years after her success with Nimbus, Niki returned to the Brentina Cup aboard another project horse—Ramsgate G, a talented KWPN gelding with a penchant for bolting. Despite some difficulty with the pirouettes in their final test, the pair placed an impressive third overall. “Ramsgate was another tricky horse that was too much for his owner,” Niki said. “He was at Second Level when I began working with him. With time and patience, I was able to successfully bring him up to Grand Prix.” Like Nimbus before him, however, Ramsgate G was sold shortly afterwards.
“As tough as it is to sell a horse after building such a relationship, I find it fulfilling to see these horses thrive in their new homes. It’s important to me that each horse finds the right situation and can go on to be successful with their owners,” Niki said. “But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt to see them leave—that’s the most difficult part of my job.”
Building a Family
In 2010, Niki met and fell in love with Lyn Clarke, a successful farrier and a fifth-generation horseman. “Lyn has horses in his blood,” Niki said. “His parents were both farriers and his brother, Lane, is a successful Grand Prix show jumper.”
Niki and Lyn were married in 2011 and have not looked back since. “We got married and started a family right away—it was and still is the classic love story. I cannot say enough good things about my husband,” Niki said. “In addition to his unwavering support, he starts and breaks horses, rides beautifully and helps coach me. I’m so lucky to have such an incredible partnership with him and be able to share my love of horses with my husband and best friend.”
The couple welcomed their only child, son Colton, in 2012. And while Colton does not presently wish for a career with horses, his parents have ensured that he will be aptly prepared in the event he changes his mind. “Every morning, Colton gets up early and helps us with barn chores,” Niki said. “Our job is to teach him the basics, just in case he ever decides he wants to follow in the family business. If he decides not to, that’s fine with us—we will support him in whatever he chooses. I am incredibly grateful that we’re able to spend so much time together as a family.”
Big Dreams & Big Sky
In 2020, just before the pandemic hit, Niki found herself at a crossroads of sorts. “I was in a bit of a ‘funk’ and was becoming discouraged with my place in the horse industry. It can be so hard when you have big dreams but don’t have the financial means needed for success in this business,” Niki said. “I actually thought of closing up shop in California and moving back to my roots in Montana. I had plans in place to transfer my clients over to a friend’s business and move back into a quieter life.”
When Niki told her clients of her plan, however, they rallied behind her, with many opting to follow her to Montana. “I am so grateful to my longtime clients, the Miller family, for wanting to embark on the journey to Montana. They are clients, but more importantly, they’re our dear friends. We live like a big family—we call ourselves the Millarkes!—on the ranch they purchased so we could all live this dream. It’s very unique and incredibly special. As the universe would have it, the thought of backing down from the business didn’t work,” Niki said. “Instead of slowing down, we ended up ramping up, getting more sales horses in, and going to Wellington in the winters to compete. I now have the best of both worlds.”
As she works toward her goal of competing internationally, Niki considers herself fortunate to have several talented mounts in her barn. Among her favorites is the stunning chestnut Komsi Komsa, a 9-year-old KWPN gelding that she co-owns with the Komsi Komsa Syndicate. “We got Komsi Komsa from Amalie Kovak. He’s actually a half sibling to Gio,” Niki said. “I had always admired Amalie’s taste in horses, so I called her one day and asked if she could help me find a really great young horse. She said, ‘I have one right now—and he’s already imported.’”
Niki soon made an appointment to try out the horse. From the moment she swung her leg over the then-4-year-old gelding’s back, Niki knew Komsi Komsa was the horse for her. “He’s a spectacular horse in every way, and I could feel it from that first ride,” she said.
This past March, Niki and Komsi Komsa won the Lovsta Future Challenge series finale at the 2024 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Additionally, the horse was recently added to the USEF Developing Horse list. “He is an amazing horse to compete, as he loves being center stage,” Niki said. “He’s already a horse of a lifetime for me; I’m excited to see what the future holds for us.”
Another of Niki’s favorite mounts is Sir Amour, a 13-year-old bay Hanoverian owned by the Miller family. The pair are currently competing at the Grand Prix level. “In addition to being super talented, Sir Amour is the sweetest horse we have in the barn. He looks right into your soul,” Niki said.
Niki is also developing several other horses that she hopes will be successful at the FEI level. “I’d love to represent our country in some of the Nations Cup events and, who knows, maybe the Olympics someday,” she said. “I have big dreams.”
When she’s not chasing her dreams in the show ring, Niki may be found in the rolling hills and mountains of her home state, tending to the Miller family’s 200-acre ranch and enjoying all that nature has to offer. “When we’re in Montana, we hay the fields and spend most of our time outdoors, running the ranch. As a family, we also enjoy mountain biking, hiking and things like that,” Niki said. “Colton participates in soccer and jiu jitsu, which I would also like to try.”
With its wide-open spaces and stunning landscapes, there is something about the Big Sky state that makes Niki Clarke feel complete. “I know this may sound unusual coming from a serious, competitive dressage rider,” she said. “But when I’m in Montana, surrounded by nature, I feel most at home. My soul just feels better when I’m there.”
Follow Niki at www.dressage-unlimited.com and on Facebook and Instagram @ dressageunlimited
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com
