Clifton Nicklaus

Nicklaus earned his place in the Lifetime Ridden Performance Awards by gaining:-

Category 1 – a win in a Ridden class.

Category 2 – a win in WHP and a win show jumping

Category 3 – a win in RDA.

Nicklaus’s dam, Udine, was bred by Andre Matysiak, who imported several mares and youngstock in the early seventies.  Andre Matysiak also bred his sire Novara, out of Kandida, who descended from the Kalterer-Moid Line, an important line in the Tyrol in the early years.  The Devon stud is still one of the numerically highest breeding studs in Great Britain, although the last foals were born in the early eighties.

 

Nicklaus' Story

Clifton Nicklaus is proof, if proof were ever needed, that the Haflinger is the consummate all-rounder with no equal.  Nicklaus came to the Silvretta Stud in North Worcestershire as a seven year old to be brought on and sold.  In typical Haflinger fashion he was quick to make known his opinion and pointed out that he had no intention of leaving by repeatedly jumping out of a 4’ fenced paddock, from a standstill, and trotting up the drive after yard owner Helen Blair until she agreed he could stay. 

Nicklaus’s early years at Silvretta were pre-occupied with endurance, reaching Gold standard and qualifying for the Golden Horseshoe ride on Exmoor.  In 1996 “Lous” was partnered with Kate Hands Harvey, who has remained his competitive rider to this day. Always game to turn his hoof to any discipline, Nicklaus has enjoyed competitive success in a wide range of disciplines, including county level showing, veteran showing (qualifying twice for the regional finals, both times coming third in his class), show jumping, endurance, dressage, working hunter, breed show activity classes and RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) competitions.

What makes Nicklaus’s achievement all the more remarkable is that most of his competitive success has occurred in his spare time.  This is no cosseted show pony, but a hard working, full-time riding school horse.  Not many horses could work all day in a riding school on a Saturday, complete a 30 mile endurance ride on Sunday, returning home with a grade one (the highest accolade in a graded endurance ride), and be working with a riding for the disabled group on Monday.  Nicklaus has taught all ages and abilities to ride over the years, from tiny lead-rein tots to pony clubbers, teenagers, adults and disabled riders.  He can plod around obediently for the beginner, and be working on jumping, counter-canter and lateral movements in the next lesson.  He is without doubt one of the greatest confidence givers you could wish to meet and I have met countless people who have endless praise for this special horse and his calm approach to restoring their confidence to ride.      

As a testament to the Haflinger’s longevity and love of life Nicklaus successfully re-started his endurance career aged twenty, completed his first one day event aged twenty one, and hunted three times with the Albrighton Woodland Hunt during the 2008/2009 season aged twenty five.  Some horses just keep getting better with age!

 

Helen Blair and Kate Hands Harvey

PHOTOS

 

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