Europe’s Most Successful Paint Show Horse Dies at Age 12

Europe’s most successful show horse, Shes Doolins Nikita, died shortly after foaling on May 24, 2013. By Doolins Hotrodder and out of Miss Conchita Bar (QH), “Niki” was bred by Ute Hoppe of Bad Munstereifel, Germany, and owned by Alena Helmcke of Appel, Germany, since she was a weanling.

Niki, a 2001 black tobiano mare, holds the record of the most medals earned at the European Paint Horse Championships—32 gold, silver and bronze medals in Youth, Amateur and Open competition with Alena, who did nearly all the training and all the exhibiting herself. In addition, the duo has laid claim to both the EPHC All-Around Youth and Amateur titles at the show.

The Helmckes already owned Doolins Cascarita when her breeder called them and invited them to take a look at the filly, her full sister. “She was the reason why we bought Niki,” Alena recalled. “She already was a good one. When I saw Niki, I knew I wanted to have that one. I just had that feeling. I had to have her. I was in love right away.” Twelve-year-old Alena convinced her father to sell his Quarter Horse and purchase the filly.

When it came time to start Niki under saddle, Alena’s trainer had a knee injury and wasn’t able to ride, so Alena stepped up to the plate. “She was a great one,” Alena said. “She never bucked or spooked when she was a young horse. She was a very easy one to ride.”

In eight years of competition, the pair have amassed points and titles in seven events: color class, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, showmanship, trail, western horsemanship and western pleasure.

Alena and Niki’s first gold medal in 2005 came as a complete surprise. “Actually, I didn’t want to go in the Youth pleasure with her,” said Alena. “I wanted to go into the class with her older sister. But before the class, I thought maybe we should give her the chance because she’s a little bit better already.”

In the Youth division, Alena and Niki have earned 340 points, six Registers of Merit, four Superiors, a Youth Performance Versatility award, six gold medals, two silvers and two bronze medals. Alena was the No. 1 Youth 14-18 in Zone 12 in 2006 and 2007.

In the Amateur division, they’ve won 690 Amateur points, six ROMS, six Superiors, an Amateur Performance Versatility, seven golds, five silvers and three bronze medals. From 2008 to 2012, Alena was the No. 1 Classic Amateur in Zone 12.

Finally in Open competition, they’ve accumulated 363 Open points, four ROMs, two Superiors, one gold, three silvers and three bronze medals. In 2008, Niki was the No. 1 Open Horse in Zone 12.

“She was a great one,” said Alena, “She tried very hard. She’s not pleasure-bred but she won some pleasure titles, and she’s not very tall, but she won some hunter titles. It’s not a very famous bloodline. I’m very proud of her.”

One of Alena’s proudest achievements came last fall when they finally won the gold medal in amateur showmanship, after winning the bronze in 2009 and 2010 and the silver in 2011.

“She always had fun doing her job,” Alena said. “She loved it. She always had her ears forward, waiting for her next job. She seemed to say, ‘What are we going to do now? I don’t want to stay around in my stall or go out in the pasture. Let me do something.’ She  was always a fighter, giving her best.”

Niki is survived by her only offspring, a solid bay filly by One Hot Krymsum (QH). Although initially rejected by a nurse mare, the filly is healthy and thriving.

“I’m 24,” Alena said. “She was 12. It’s half of my life. She was not only a horse, but a friend, a part of me, my inspiration and my drive. The countless beautiful memories remain unforgotten.”