For decades, Nikki and Roger have dedicated their lives to the care, training, and rehabilitation of Thoroughbred racehorses. Their business, Four Gait Training Services, is known for exceptional horsemanship, integrity, and the countless horses they’ve successfully started and prepared for the Ontario racing circuit, as well as numerous people they've helped through tough times.

But now, through no fault of their own, they are facing a devastating financial burden.

Between September 2023 and April 2024, Nikki and Roger cared for, boarded, fed, and trained four yearling horses, preparing them to move into Woodbine Racetrack. The bill for seven months of full care and professional training amounted to $55,000 — a fair and earned invoice for hard work and specialized expertise.

The client? A well-known jockey’s agent at Woodbine. Instead of paying what was owed, he refused to settle the bill. Nikki and Roger did the right thing:

-They took the case to the Woodbine Stewards.

-They placed a lien on the horses for unpaid board and training.

-But in an appalling twist, this client illegally sold all four horses out from under the lien, leaving Nikki and Roger with no horses and no payment.

Why We’re Asking for Help

This injustice has left Nikki and Roger carrying an exorbitant debt. They are fighting to pursue this claim in civil court, but the legal costs are overwhelming. At the same time, they are still trying to keep their farm running day-to-day — feeding and caring for the horses who depend on them, while training the next generation of racehorses.

They should not have to choose between survival and justice.

How You Can Help

We are raising funds to:

-Support legal action against the client who has refused to pay and illegally sold the horses.

-Ensure Nikki and Roger are not financially destroyed by someone else’s negligence and misconduct.

-Help cover immediate expenses so they can continue their extraordinary work in the Thoroughbred industry while this case is fought.

Why They Deserve Your Support

Nikki and Roger are among the hardest-working, most ethical horsepeople in the business. They’ve spent their lives doing right by the horses - and people- in their care — often putting the animals’ and others' well-being ahead of their own.

They never asked to be in this position. They did the right thing at every turn, and still, they were wronged.

Now, we're hoping our community can step in to make sure they aren’t crushed under the weight of someone else’s dishonesty.

Please contribute what you can and share this campaign.

Every donation — large or small — will help Nikki and Roger fight back, keep Four Gait Training Services running, and continue caring for the horses that make Ontario racing possible.