Nicola started riding at the age of four on her lead rein pony ‘Rosie’ and she quickly developed a passion for horses and for competing. Her early days were spent in the show ring where she frequently won county shows and championships with her second pony Gunnerby Marksway.

Hard work, persistence and a strong partnership between Nicola and Marksway resulted in Nicola being a member of the winning British Dressage Team in 1993 against Ireland. They were also the reserve for the European Championships. The following year the pair were selected for the European Pony Championships.

After a hugely successful stint with ponies, age restrictions prompted the move up to horses. In 1996, Nicola was selected in Juniors with her horse Gouverneur to represent Great Britain in Barcelona where the team won and the combination was placed fourth individually.

From the age of twelve Nicola was trained by Michel Assouline, a graduate of the French National Equestrian School, home of the Cadre Noir in Saumur who has gained a vast international experience in the USA, France, Germany and the United Kingdom as an international dressage rider and trainer. He has been the UK Paralympic Dressage Team Coach since 2005. She then went on to be trained by Darryl Thickitt who trained the British Dressage Pony Team.

Nicola has competed successfully up to Prix St Georges Level and over the years has qualified various horses for regional and national championships. She is a British Dressage listed trainer and runs a private yard in North Yorkshire where she lives with her husband Mark and their son William.