Niki & Sonny

Niki Auckerman is originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, where her mother was a show jumper at Westfield Riding Stables. At age 9, Niki began English riding lessons under her mother's guidance. From there she moved to London, England, where she would periodically go on horsback excursions in the English country side and take hours of agonizing lessons followed by wild gallops across the Moors. It was not until 1998, however, when she moved to Hollywood, CA at 19 years old that she really found her place in the equine world. It was Sunset Ranch where she was exposed to "Western Style," and once she started she knew she could never stop. Her horse Sonny is a 10 year old thoroughbred. He came to the Ranch last August with the intention of introduction into the rental string. He was a little "hot" for Sunset's mainly beginner riders, however, and Niki fell in love with him as a guide horse. After months of saving, Sonny was purchased and placed in his private stall for Valentine's day of 2003. He will always be her Sonny Valentine!