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Home About Nicki

About Nicki

Nichole Charbonneau,
Instructor		 Nicky & Trendy - Summer 08

Hi, my name is Nicki and I have been riding since I was four. In fact, I was one of the youngest 4-H members to receive Nicki riding Trendyspecial permission to compete before my 6th birthday. While involved in 4-H, I joined Pony Club when I was eight years old and have been active ever since. My three-day eventing experience has taken me through Preliminary Level. I began taking Dressage lessons with Kari McClain in 1991. While Dressage became my passion, Pony Club kept me involved in three-day eventing for many years.  I have continued my involvement in both 4-H and Pony Club: giving clinics, being a rating examiner, judging for 4-H Fair qualifications, and judging schooling shows. In addition to my commitment to 4-H and Pony Club, I continue to teach riding lessons to both adults and children at Miari Stables.  I try to balance all of this with my  daily life as a First Grade teacher.  I believe that having my Masters Degree in Teaching and being a teacher compliments my experience as a riding instructor.


Nicki riding HowieIn 1996, I purchased Howie, a Thoroughbred gelding that was being ridden Training Level.  I then schooled Howie through Grand Prix.  Trendsetter, a young Swedish mare, is my current riding horse.  "Trendy" and I are now showing as I train her up the levels.

I have shown locally, regionally, and internationally. I have received my Bronze and Silver Medal Rider Awards from the United States Dressage Federation. My most remarkable accomplishment includes competing in the Dressage division at the North American Young Riders Championships. Currently, I am working on receiving scores for my Gold Medal. I strive to better my riding and teaching skills by taking weekly lessons and participating in additional riding clinics with instructors from abroad. Below you will find my competition resume.

Equestrian Sport – Dressage

2009

  • Certificate of Performance- 3rd Level
  • USDF Swedish WB Association: 3rd Level Open Division - 2nd place

2008

  • Certificate of Performance- 2nd Level (Trendsetter)
  • Schooling Grand Prix with my horse of 12 years.
  • USDF All-Breed Award -First Place Thoroughbred Horses for Sport-Intermediate 1

2001-2006:

  • Schooling Intermediate 1 with my horse of ten years.

1999-2001

  • Selected as one of the top eight equestrian riders in Region 6 (WA, MT, ID, and OR) to participate in a Dressage Clinic with European Olympic Medalist and Trainer, Conrad Schumaucher (March and October of each year).

2001

  • International Award - Competed in the 2001 North American Young Rider’s Championships in Chicago, IL - 13th place riding Cabare' owned by Lyn and Beth Anderson
  • National Award – United States Dressage Federation Prix St. George Young Rider Award - 2nd place.
  • National Award – United States Dressage Federation Silver Medal Rider Award.

2000

  • National Award - First alternate for the North American Young Rider’s Championships August 2000.

1998

  • National Certification - Passed the “H-A” United States Pony Club National Ratings & Standards Test.
  • National Award - United States Dressage Federation Bronze Medal Rider Award.
  • National Award – Cosequin National Junior/Young Rider Championships, October 1998. 1st alternate in U.S.

1997

  • High Point Thoroughbred Award – 2nd Level
  • Nominated the Best Classical Seat & Hands at Spokane Sport Horse Spring Show
  • 1st Place – 2nd Level Musical Freestyle
  • High Point Team – Combined Tests
  • 1st Place – 3rd Level, Test 1
  • Regional Award – ABIG/USDF Region 6 Championships – 2nd Place – Second Level
  • National Award – USDF Junior Young Rider Championships – 5th Place – Second Level

1996

  • National Certification-Passed the “B” United States Pony Club National Ratings & Standards Test

1995

  • Regional Certification-Passed “C3” United States Pony Club Regional Ratings & Standards Test
  • Regional Award – ABIG/USDF Regional 6 Championships – 2nd Place – First Level
  • Regional Award – ABIG/USDF Region 6 Championships – 2nd Place – Second Level
  • Regional Award – ABIG/USDF Region 6 Championships – 3rd Place – Musical Freestyle
  • Regional Award – ABIG/USDF Region 6 Championships – 2nd Place – Yr/Yr – First Level
  • National Award –- USDF, All-Breeds, Appaloosa Sport Horse Assn. – 1st Place – First Level
  • National Award – USDF, All-Breeds, Appaloosa Sport Horse Assn. – 1st Place – Second Level
  • National Award – USDF, All-Breeds, Appaloosa Sport Horse Assn. – 1st Place – Musical FS

1994

  • High Point – Open – Training Level
  • High Point – Jr/Yr – Training Level
  • High Point Average – Open – First Level
  • Qualified for National Pony Club Championships – Bronze Medal
  • National Award – ABIG/USDF Championships – 2nd Place – Training Level
  • National Award – ABIG/USDF Championships – 2nd Place – First Level
  • National Award – USDF All Breeds Awards – 2nd Place – First Level
  • National Award – USDF, All-Breeds, Appaloosa Sport Horse Assn. – 2nd Place – Training Level
  • Regional Award – ABIG/USDF Jr/Yr Region 6 Championship – 2nd Place – Jr/Yr – Training Level
  • Regional Award - ABIG/USDF Open Championship Div. – 2nd Place – Musical FS
Nichole