In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. The following is part four. Read parts one, two, and three.

Nick Valentine considers Dun It At Dawn or “Dan” his once-in-a-lifetime horse. The most memorable rides occurred on the Quarter Horse stallion. For Valentine, Dan was incredibly easy to work alongside; he had a big heart and never sidestepped work. That commitment led to a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Intermediate Open World Championship title in 2005. It is a partnership that Valentine will always keep close to his heart. 

“He was an amazing athlete. If I had the money I would have bought him for sentimental reasons,” joked Valentine. “I did not have to train him much. He knew his job, loved his job, and it kept him fit and happy. He was a solider, and he stepped up every time.”

Now, Valentine will aim for another memorable ride when he competes for the United States at the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships with Shane Brown, Troy Heikes, and Kari Klingenberg. However, Valentine will not have Dan. He will look to Haiden De Jane’s A Smokin Whiz, a 2008 Quarter Horse gelding, to step up for him and the U.S. team for a chance for team and individual world titles. 

“He [A Smokin Whiz] has all the talent to do well over [in Switzerland]. He has ton of turn, a ton of stop, and is really stylish. I’m excited because I know he is up for this, all I have to do is prepare him. At this point in their [horses] lives, they know their jobs,” said Valentine.

It should come as no surprise that Valentine earned a spot on the U.S. team. Horses have been a part of his life since he was kid. He started riding when he was five and was introduced to reining when he was nine. As a child captivated by cowboy nostalgia, he became immediately enthralled with the discipline. Growing up, Valentine was fortunate enough to learn from Canadian reining greats Francois Gauthier and Vernon Sapergia, who gave clinics through Valentine’s local reining club. Valentine became hooked on reining after riding with them. After high school, he got the privilege of working under Gauthier. It was during this time that he got a complete education of the reining, training, and breeding business. From getting the mare, foaling it out, breaking a young horse, training, and coaching, they did it all.

“He [Gauthier] did everything. I got to see everything from the time we got the mare to when we foaled it out, to the time that we took it to a horse show, coached a non-pro on it, and sold it. Being there seven years was a big plus because I really got to learn the business and see all aspects,” said Valentine.

Following his time with Gauthier, Valentine went to work for million-dollar-rider Dell Hendricks, who helped get Valentine into the breeding business. Valentine enjoys the breeding process and watching young horses develop. In Valentine’s mind, the horse is the sole focus. 

“It’s amazing to take two-year-olds and see the change in four to five months. Some of them become superstars and go on to have great careers. Others are just good solid horses. To train one up and then make it valuable to someone who can go out and have a long career, that’s my reward. You spend a lot of time with them; you want to make sure they have a good career, but also a nice place where people will take care of them. If you can get them prepped for that, that is awesome,” said Valentine.

Even in the midst of operating his own business, Valentine Reining Horses, where he coaches non-pros and youth, gives clinics, trains, sells, and breeds horses, he has not lost sight of his own goals. It has always been his dream to compete for a spot at the World Reining Championships. “Secretly, it is something every reiner wants to accomplish,” said Valentine. However, it was not something he mapped out at the beginning of the competition year. It simply fell into place. He competed at the National Reining Breeders Classic and qualifying competition for the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships in Katy, Texas, and placed fourth to round out the U.S. team.

“I can’t say enough about Jeff Petska, Shane [Brown], Troy [Heikes], Kari [Klingenberg], and my wife Alison. None of this would have happened without her [Alison]. Everybody has put a lot into this, and everyone’s behind each other 100 percent,” said a thankful Valentine.

Valentine may be a newcomer to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships but for someone who has made the finals in every major reining competition, he knows how to handle the pressure. 

“It’s a big stage; I’m trying not to think about it too much. I think the biggest adversary is the mental aspect. We just have to treat it like every other horse show. It’s going to be amazing to be a part of the U.S. team,” said Valentine. “It is surreal, and it probably will not hit me until we get to Switzerland. To be a part of a team and represent the U.S., it does not get any better than that.’” 

The 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships take place August 11-13 in Givrins, Switzerland.