Really True | Sister Intervention Pays Off
Really True by Martec retired from racing after only five starts. From these five starts, Really True claimed two third placings to acquire $1,250 in lifetime earnings. Trained by Gary Burger, Really True retired into the care of Nikita Hillier.
While Nikita wasn’t particularly interested in purchasing a new horse, her sister insisted this was the horse for her.
“I didn’t actually like him! My sister insisted I go view him and it was the best decision ever.”
Having owned ‘Maverick’ since his retirement from racing, Nikita knows him very well! Moving up from ponies and looking for a kind horse to enjoy a bit of everything with, Maverick wasn’t what Nikita was looking for at all.
“I definitely wasn’t looking for a chestnut, and I had no intention of going to view this one, but my sister insisted. Thank goodness she did!”
It was truly love at first sight, with Nikita describing her introduction to Maverick like “meeting an old friend, someone I’d met before and the love of my entire life.”
Nikita and Maverick participated in show jumping, pony club events, dressage and general pleasure riding. They might not have been the most successful competition pair, with Nikita stating that they never won a single ribbon throughout their riding career together, Maverick did gift Nikita with the confidence she needed.
“He was patient when I was figuring things out, steady when I was nervous, and always exactly what I needed him to be, whenever I needed him.”
Living up to his name, Maverick has been ‘really true’ to his nature as a wonderful horse. After retiring from ridden work, Maverick lives his dream retirement in endless green paddocks, good company, swims in the dam and regular bodywork. He also still enjoys the occasional gentle trail ride. He plays an integral part in Nikita’s sisters business as a therapy horse for Pineridge Farm, helping people heal and connect.
Maverick is known as “The King” of the farm and is the inspiration behind Nikita’s business name, ‘Crown Equine Solutions’.
Maverick and Nikita’s story is one of love and adoration. The perfect story of how a retired racehorse can shape someone’s life into something beautiful and fulfilled.
