NTDT Students
"To be able to enjoy one’s work in life, is to be blessed."
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I am indeed blessed to work with many wonderful people, some of whom are competitive and ambitious, and some of whom are not ambitious for the competition arena, but still devoted to their horses and committed to being better horsewomen (and horsemen) and riders.
To each and all, thank you for instilling the trust in me to guide you on your journeys. Bring on the year!
KRISTEN MCAUSLAN
Profession: Coach/trainer
Horses: Bellissimo (Hanoverian by Benito) Dec.
Siriano (Oldenburg by Sir Donnerhall) Leased
Crystalbrook Platinum (Warmblood/Arabian X by Prestige VDL)
Nicole’s long time student, Kristen, began lessons on her OTT, Cookie, at a State Young Rider Squad clinic in 2008, and they have been working together ever since.
Together they trained Bellissimo (Benito) from a just broken youngster through to Grand Prix, with multiple selections on State Squads; and Siriano (Sir Donnerhall) from breaking-in to FEI with multiple State Championship titles and Squad selections to their credit.
Kristen now has Crystalbrook Platinum (aka Ardie), a Hanoverian whom she has trained from a 4 year old. 2024 was a successful year with Kristen winning Small Tour Championship titles at Park Ridge, Brenda Wittman, QDRSC and Toowoomba and another selection of the Qld State Squad. 2025 was busy with Kristen setting up her own Equestrian training facility in Tamborine Village. We hope to push on to Medium Tour in 2026.
MARIAN HUTCHINGS
Horses: North Carlos (Australian Warmblood) Dec.
Jaybee Angelina (Australian Warmblood by Aachimedes) Sold
Bianko (German Riding Pony by Best of Gold)
Long time student, Marian is an inspirational lady, who manages a myriad of health issues to stay in the saddle and chase her dreams. Nicole has helped Marian to achieve 3 Dressage Qld Masters medals on horses, North Carlos, Jaybee Angelina and in ’22 and ’23 on her German Riding Pony, Bianko.
In 2022 Marian ticked an item off her bucket list, to compete interstate at Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea, where they won AAOR Medium Pony Champion.
Through ’23 and ’24, Marian and Bianko continued to train and travel; and in 2025 they made 2 x interstate trips back to Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea and to Tamworth for the NSW State Championships, where they earnt top 3 placings.
With knee replacement surgery in November ’25, Marian is keen to see what is possible in 2026.
Profession: Retired
ZALI YOUNG
Horses: Alta Ego (Australian Warmblood) sold
Cardi B (Warmblood/Welch X by CastleBrook Brenin Jude)
KS Gemissimo (Warmblood by Massimo Quality/Its Jealousy)
Nicole started working with Zali as a 12 year old show jumper wanting to improve her flatwork. Zali made excellent progress and turned her showjumper into an all rounder, winning many State Inter-School Combined Training and Dressage championships and winning the Dressage Qld Pat Dale Memorial Award for elementary newcomers in 2021.
This led to the purchase of 4 year old dressage specific, Cardi B, and together they won 2021 Dressage Qld’s Newcomer Horse of the Year and Preliminary/Novice Young Rider of the Year, and were selected on the 2022 QLD State YR Squad. 2022 saw another triumphant year, with Zali and Cardi B winning Qld State Young Rider Novice and Elementary Championship titles, Dressage Qld Elementary Young Rider of the Year, and have been re-selected on the 2023 and 2024 QLD State Young Rider Squad.
2024 was spent consolidating the changes, with a highlight demonstrating for Brett Parbery at Outback Spectacular’s Mastery of the Horse event. 2025 was a big personal year, and Zali made the difficult decision to concentrate on showjumping, purchasing 4 year old KS Gemissimo, by Massimo Quality.
Profession: Trainee Coach/trainer
KARIN GORDON
Profession: Interior Design and mum
Horses: Willow (Austalian Warmblood) retired
Fidelia (Hanoverian by Fidertanz) part-leased
Showgirl (Australian Warmblood by Kings Classic) leased
Diamond Dancer (Danish Warmblood by Diamond Hit)
Fontaine (Hanoverian Fursten Look/Fidelia)
Karin started her equestrian journey in 2013. Having always loved horses and riding as a child, it was her dream to return to the saddle; and this she did! Starting with 13 year old Hanoverian mare, Willow for 3 years; then onto an 8 year old Advanced mare from Germany, Fidelia. Karin picked up Showgirl along the way, keeping her in the saddle while Fidelia was out of action in 2021. Karin bred Fidelia to Fursten Look, who is now 2 years old.
Karin now rides Diamond Dancer, an FEI schoolmaster purchased from Charlotte Pederson. Karin juggles her dressage dreams with the demands of being a mum to professional basketballer, Ella Gordon, and a working wife to Tim Gordon.
Karin also owns 10 year old, 18 hand, Leopold, trained by Nicole up to advanced level and now in training with Jayden Brown.
FIONA BASSINGTHWAITE
Profession: Mum and retailer ‘Janine Edwards Boutique’
Horse: Fiadora (Warmblood by Fidertanz) Retired
Federation (Westphalian by Foundation)
Fiona started lessons in late 2023 with 7 year old Fiadora, making the commute between a busy outback life in Roma and life on the Gold Coast. After 6 months of frustratingly little progress, investigations showed multiple and significant kissing spines, and the decision to retire Fiadora was made.
With the wonderful addition of schoolmaster, Federation, Fiona made a giant leap in confidence, and made her competition debut at the Pan Pacific Masters Games in November ‘24, winning a silver medal in her age brackett.
A busy working mum of three, Fiona managed the juggle and had a fantastic debut competition year, winning Dressage Qld’s Newcomer Rider of the Year and the prestigious Pat Dale Memorial Award for riders new to elementary level.
2026 will hopefully be another year of learning, and incorporating this into the competition arena with plans to make a few more interstate trips.
GENIE WALKER
Horses:
Hiku (Friesian Stallion)
Hinae (Irish Sporthorse)
Genie started her dressage journey in May 2025 with her 2 horses, Hinae and Hiku a 4 year old Fresian stallion. Every session with Genie is a delight. Although both horses are young and at a similar level, Genie has improved greatly in confidence and knowledge, achieving great milestones through 2025, including an Online competition at Preliminary level and achieving 1st place.
Genie hopes to put her foot in the actual competition arena in 2026 with her prized Hiku.
Profession: Mum
JAMES KELLY
Profession: Super Groom
Horse: Fidelia (Hanoverian by Fidertanz) leased from Karin Gordon
CC Bloom (Warmblood by Chemistry/Riverside)
Coco Chanel (Warmblood by Chemistry/Riverside)
James is the Horse and Stable Manager here at NTD and re-introducing James to the saddle after 25+ years out of it, has been a vicarious joy for Nicole.
From a childhood of showing to the modern dressage arena, James has been thoroughly enjoying the challenges and learning journeys on leased horses, Davrol Mowgli and now on Fidelia, owned by Karin Gordon.
James and Fidelia made their dressage debut in 2024, and after 3 attempts, achieved their first error free test winning a Silver Medal at the Pan Pacific Masters Games in his age bracket.
In 2024 James purchased his own horse, CC Bloom, filly foal by Chemistry, out of a Riverside mare, and now 2 years old. James followed this up with the purchase of full sister, Coco Chanel (aka Coco Pop) in 2025.
ALLI REINKE
Horse: Da Vito (Welsh/Riding Pony X)
Alli and the mighty DaVito are a delight to coach. Alli is a National Show Horse Champion rider with a dream to pursue dressage. Starting with Nicole in late 2023, and making their dressage debut at the Equestrian Gold Coast Interschool event, winning the Secondary School Preliminary Championship and the Highest Scoring Pony of the Day was a great start. Not long after this, Alli and Da Vito won Grand National 12-15 year Reserve Champion Rider, along with many Show Horse and Rider titles along the way. Alli hopes to do more dressage in 2026, and we have set some big goals.
Profession: Student
RYDER WILKIE
Profession: Student
Horses:
Absolut Allure (Arabian Warmblood by Dicavalli Decadence) sold
Kings Showgirl (Australian Warmblood by Kings Classic) leased from Karin Gordon
16 year old Ryder started dressage lessons through 2022 on her pony, Prince. Soon outgrowing him, the hunt for that special 2nd horse took longer than they wanted. But all good things come to those who wait… and Ryder and Ally were a team from 2023-2025, winning the EGCC’s Highest Point Junior Preliminary award in 2024.
Starting 2026 with Ryder in Year 11 and leasing the wonderful Showgirl from Karin Gordon, we look forward to a season of EGCC and Interschool Dressage, and a lot of fun and learning along the way.
EMMA WRIGHT
Horses:
Mintsje of Twin River, aka Mitsje, 6 year old Friesian mare
Weanling filly: Eclipse
Emma started training with Nicole July 2025, with Mintsje on a 3 week ‘boot camp’ and her introduction to dressage training. Emma is a busy mum of 4 children, started her own equestrian fashion boutique in 2025 and loves her equestrian hobby.
Emma looks forward to improving and developing Mintsje in the sport of dressage and hopes to compete in 2026.
Profession: Mum and retailer ‘The Bespoke Rider’
TANYA PAVEY-LOYD
Profession: Director GYST Consulting
​Horse:
Kinnordy Gyron (aka Mr Gee, leased from Carol Small and now retired)
Flensburg Per Sempre (Dutch warmblood, Prestige/Charmeur)
A previous student of Nicole’s, Tanya returned to the saddle April 2025 after a 14 year hiatus. Leasing the wonderful 23 year old Mr Gee from Carol Chapman, and agisted at Nicole’s, Tanya is loved every minute of being back in the saddle on this wonderful FEI schoolmaster.
Upon Mr Gee’s retirement by end of 2025, Tanya began the hunt for a horse of her own, and found 6 year old mare, Flensburg Pre Sempre (aka Pippa). Looking forward to helping Tanya bond with her new horse through 2026.
KAITLYN DIDLICK
Horse: Cheltra Shakespeare (Welsh X by Cheltra Talyessen)
Katelyn started lessons in early 2024 to help improve her dressage scores on her sassy pony, ‘Romeo’. A year 7 student, Kaitlyn regularly represents Nerang Pony Club, competing around South East Qld, in various equestrian disciplines, combined training, eventing, dressage and showing!
Performance highlights through 2024 included PCAQ Runner up 12 years and under State Combined Training Champion and Supreme Ridden Dilute Canungra Show.
2025 was a big year for Katelyn with her first year doing Interschool Equestrian and qualifying for the National Championships. Katelyn and Romeo also won the EGCC Hi Point Junior Preliminary award.
Katelyn starts at Tamborine Mountain College in 2026, and it is her goal to again qualify for National Interschool and start competing EA Official.
SKYE SMALL
​Horse: Hollands Bend Finery (Franziskus/Hotline)
Profession: Mum and owner/operator VantaBlack Media Agency
Returning to the saddle in 2025, after 16 years away from horses has been momentous for Skye. A busy working mum of 3 boys, Skye started with the purchase of Finery from Keystone Performance Horses.
The year was a roller coaster of emotions, from euphoria to disappointment, with Skye battling confidence with her deep desire to keep improving. With unwavering determination, Skye finished 2025 in a strong position and an ever growing passion for the sport, horses and everything about it.
Skye has set her sights on the Pan Pacific Masters Games, and given her determination, I have no doubt she will be there.
Kym Barclay
Profession: Creative Director Gallery Group
​Horse: Lauritz L’iswed (Friesian/Stockhorse)
Kym started here at NTD In November 2025 with a 3 week ‘Boot Camp’ entailing lessons 5 days a week. Making huge progress, Kym and Ritz officially ‘moved in’. Kym’s horse, Ritz, has been here before and is resolved to working harder as she improves. A successful attempt at their first Preliminary test in early 2026, set Kym up for her goals, to improve both hers and Ritz’s position, suppleness and strength.
Kym hopes to compete at local Equestrian Gold Coast Club events and the Pan Pacific Masters Games.
Karen Dunnett
​Horse: Silver Bullet (OTT)
Karen started training here at NTD mid 2025 with her OTT, Bullet; her first horse after a 16 year hiatus.
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Together Karen and Bullet won Equestrian Gold Coast Club’s Hi Point Preliminary Rider of the Year.
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Big 2026 goals include moving up to Novice level and competing at the Pan Pacific Masters Games.
Caroline Goüt
Profession: Vet
​Horse: Oakmark Blue (Pinto)
Caroline is a busy small animal Vet and a keen dressage student (who also dabbles in showing and eventing!)
Caroline enjoys the transformation that can happen with dressage training, and is thrilled with the continuing development of her pinto cross stockhorse, Oakmark Blue, and achieved 67% in their very first dressage test in 2024.
