Nikki Bunch

Nikki Bunch started riding horses at age 5. Her first horse, Wendy, was purchased off a rent string and was a great, safe “packer”. About a year   later her mother caught her riding Wendy bareback, double with her friend going overjumps. Her mother decided it was time to let her ride another family horse, Scarlet. She rode Scarlet for over a year and developed a Velcro-butt, always riding bareback. After being caught riding full gallop through the neighborhood it was clear that it was time for fitness training and Nikki was given a show quality horse, Jo-Dee, and both were to begin training with well-known trainers, Mack and Maggie McHugh. Nikki rode in her first A Open show just after turning 9 years old and showing Jo-Dee they won ribbons in Western Pleasure, Equitation and Trail Horse, and it was in Trail Horse she truly excelled.

After riding Jo-Dee for a few more years the family purchased, Call My Name, a 3-year-old gelding from the local racetrack. Although a young and untrained horse seemed inappropriate for such a young person, the horse was irresistible and Nikki was in love. Nikki continued to train with Mack and Maggie and soon was on the top of all A Opens shows in Southern California.

The two showed regularly at the local EIT shows and winning repeatedly. Nikki and Call went on to win hundreds of trophies and ribbons even after exiting training. By the age of 14 her show saddle was becoming tight, but despite that she went on to win both the Western Pleasure Division and Reserve Champion at the Indio (now Thermal) Show, which was the most prestigious event in the nation at the time. After that win Nikki won this saddle here on display. Nikki loved her horse with all her heart, the two grew up together and were a bonded pair, each reading each other with a communication beyond words. Nikki was a vivacious young woman who lit up every room she entered with a bubbly personality and a smile that never faded.

Tragically Nikki passed away at the age of 16 in a car accident. Her memory lives on here at the museum with this display highlighting her short but bright life.

Donated by her mother, Dee-Dee Polzin