Nicole Tough

Nicole has successfully trained 10 horses up to FEI level, secured 9 Australian championships, garnered over 30 State Championship titles, and has been named to 35 State and National Squads since 1994. Her contributions to equestrian sports have earned her the titles of Equestrian QLD Coach of the Year, Sports Star of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year. Many of Nicole's students have progressed from the initial breaking in phase to FEI level under her guidance, achieving positions on State and National Squads and even reaching International levels. Coaching and making a positive impact on the lives of riders and their horses is what Nicole cherishes most.

After completing her secondary education in 1989, Nicole pursued higher education, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Education. Despite her academic achievements, she followed her passion for the Equine industry, focusing her career on Dressage coaching and training. From 1999 to 2009, Nicole also dedicated time to teaching Equine Studies at Somerset College.

Nicole resides in the Gold Coast hinterland, providing a range of services including full livery agistment, private dressage coaching, dressage training, and specialized "boot camps."

Nicole is driven by a continuous desire to learn from the horses and trainers she encounters, aiming to develop each horse into the best athlete possible, and to further promote the discipline of dressage through her social media platforms. She is working towards completing her Level 3 High Performance Coaching Accreditation and harbors aspirations to author a book.

Her advice to fellow riders is simple yet profound: "Love your horse and your sport, find a coach who will support your ambitions, and practice until perfection is second nature."