Nicole's horse riding hobby began at the age of 13 when she joined the Mudgeeraba Pony Club and competed on an ex-racehorse called Rex Reebo, and an Anglo-Arab called Shar. With these horses Nicole did it all, Hacking, Gymkhanas, Showjumping, Combined Training, Eventing and Dressage. At the age of 15, with very supportive parents, Nicole won the National 15-17 year age group PCAQ Dressage Championship.

In 1990 (with help from her grandad and the sale of her 2 horses) Nicole purchased her first Warmblood, an unbroken Holsteiner mare called Landerlee, at the conclusion of her year 12 studies.

After a 3 year break from competition, whereby Nicole completed 2 university degrees, got married to Colin and had their son Mitchell, Nicole and Landerlee started their competition career in 1992.

Over the years, Nicole has trained with many great trainers - Jocelyn Park, Leonie Galbraith, Geraldine VanMontfrans, Clemens Dierks, Edgar Liedwark, Di Jenkyn, Thomas Muelenbeck and for the last 3 years; Traci Manca. Nicole has enjoyed clinics with Ulla Salzgeber, Martina Hannover, Joern Kubelke, Christoph Hess and Leonie Brammal, and leaps at the chance to watch, visit and work with International trainers.

2008 was a major turning point in Nicole's equine life. Through the incredible generosity of Linda and Beau Dowsett, Nicole went to Germany - a life ambition! Nicole says "Beau and Linda have given me the opportunity to ride, train and campaign an imported horse - something my husband Colin and I would NEVER have been able to do by ourselves". Nicole sold most of her own horses to committ herself to training the Dowsett's 3 imported horses - Dante, Flavio and Furst Tyme.

Nicole's Dressage performance Highlights include winning 8 tests and 4 State Championship titles at the QLD State Dressage Championships 2004 and 6 top 5 finishes at the 2009 Australian National Championships.

Nicole Tough's career Highlight has been her selection on the 2005 National Dressage Squad. Her goals for the coming years are to keep learning and be the best trainer she can be; and to always realise every Horse's potential. Nicole would also like to become an International Candidate Judge and Judge Educator.

Nicole lives by the advice that life is too short and regret is a terrible thing. She tries to live life to its fullest and avoid regret and always remembers that "identity lies in accomplishment, not in the mirror".

Nicole is proudly sponsored by:
Mitavite, Horseland Gold Coast, Equitec Performance Products & Equessential.