Nicole Kuklinski wasn’t even looking for a new show partner when Sketchie Details caught her eye at a horse show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin early in the summer of 2015.

But the Michigan native knew right then and there she had to have him.

“I remember looking at him in his stall and thinking ‘Wow, he’s tall, dorky and immature looking, but has such a kind eye.’ When I watched him cantering around outside later that afternoon I knew I wanted him as my next show partner,” Kuklinski said.

The funny thing is, Kuklinski was not actively looking for a new horse. She was enjoying a successful show career in Hunter Under Saddle events with Dancin In My Sleep. Sketchie Details, a 2012 bay gelding, by Hot N Blazing and out of Sentimental Detail, was owned at the time by Wayne and Judy Davis and in training with Nicole’s then trainers, Mark and Judy Zeitler.

Kuklinski says she remembers him being green at the time but he had this naturally soft, slow canter with a flat front leg and a big hock.

“He made it look so effortless,” she said. “He was striking and definitely had a show presence that caught my eye. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. I guess they do say, you find great things when you aren’t looking for them.”

Sketchie Details was purchased the third week in June and he made his debut at the Tom Powers Futurity, claiming a Reserve Championship in the Limited Division of the 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle with Judy Zeitler in the irons.

Kuklinski kept competing on Dancin In My Sleep that year but Sketchie Details won a National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Championship in 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle and a Reserve Southern Belle Championship in the 3-Year-Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle at the Quarter Horse Congress. He also was NSBA Reserve High-Point Champion in 3-Year-Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle and 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle in 2015.

After the 2015 show season was complete Dancin In My Sleep (Karl) was sold and Kuklinski began preparing for the 2016 show season.

“Karl is the one who really got me into loving the hunt seat classes,” Kuklinski said. “He taught me a lot, and we were very successful as a team. Even though he is out west with his new owner, he still has a special place in my heart and I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to own and show him.”

In 2016 Sketchie Details and Kuklinski were quick to connect. Together they won both the Limited and Open divisions of the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the Tom Powers Futurity. He was also the Tom Powers Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle Maturity Champion with Judy Zeitler in the irons and they were Reserve in the Open Division.

A little over a month later Kuklinski and Sketchie Details captured a Reserve at the NSBA Breeders Championship Futurity in the 4-6-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle and placed third in the Open Division of the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity.

In September of 2016 Kuklinski and Sketchie Details started working with North Carolina trainer Keith Miller.

“It really is a pleasure to work with him and his family, along with the barn staff and the rest of the Miller Quarter Horses team,” she said. “I very much like Keith’s training style, and I find it to be very effective for both horse and rider. We ride and ride.”

In November Kuklinski and Sketchie Details placed ninth in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the AQHA World Show. The 17-hand gelding also placed seventh in Junior Hunter Under Saddle with Dawn Baker in the irons.

In December Kuklinski rode Sketchie Details to a win in the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the NSBA Rider’s Cup and he won the Open Hunter Under Saddle Maturity with Miller.

By year’s end Sketchie Details had earned both Open and Amateur Superiors in Hunter Under Saddle and he and Kuklinski finished third in the Nation in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. Sketchie Details was also Reserve High-Point Champion in Junior Hunter Under Saddle.

“Nicole is determined,” Miller revealed. “She is always trying to improve her riding and showing abilities, making her a wonderful student. She loves her horse and cares for him impeccably. She is not only a competitive rider but a horseman.

Miller said he hopes to help Kuklinski build on her first year showing Sketchie Details.

“Nicole has lots of ring savvy. She is great about keeping herself out of trouble and really getting her horse shown,” he said. “We would love to see them continue to grow as a team and improve.”

Kuklinski has some challenging goals for the future.

“A goal of mine for this year is to win a NSBA High-Point award in Amateur, Open Non-Pro or Limited Open Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle,” she said. “I hope to win the Nation for the AQHA Amateur Hunter Under Saddle one of these years. Of course, like everyone does, I always have dreamed of winning a Congress and AQHA World Championship…hopefully someday it will come true.”

They got off to a great start in 2017 by unanimously winning the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the Fun In The Sun Futurity in Venice, Florida in January.

She said Sketchie Details’ size and soft flowing movement help them be competitive.

“He is big and pretty and catches your eye,” she said. “He also has a big, lofty trot and a soft cadenced canter which makes him stand out.”

Miller agrees.

“I think his greatest strengths are his impressive size, big ground covering trot, and canter,” he explained. “He can hold the ground well while remaining soft and fluid.”

Miller also said the gelding is cooperative and talented, which makes training him both rewarding and enjoyable.

“He has a sweet and kind personality and is just a big softy,” he said.

Kuklinski and Sketchie Details will compete at the Big A Circuit, NSBA World Show, the Quarter Horse Congress, AQHA World Show and the Florida winter circuits in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturities. Miller will show him in Junior and Open Maturities.

“It’s a dream come true to be where I am today,” Kuklinski said. “I must thank my parents for making my dreams a reality, my past trainers; Doreen Passuello, Gayle Lampinen, and Mark and Judy Zeitler for all of their knowledge and help, the vets, farriers, chiropractors, etc. for keeping my horses in tip-top shape, and lastly Keith, Sydney and Charlotte Miller.