TESTIMONIALS
What Nicola's Clients Say
"Nicola has been teaching me and my team of horses at my base on the Isle of Wight for the past 15 years. Starting with my first pony, the aptly named Mischief Maker, I achieved many national riding club championship titles. Even though I was only ten, Nicola was able to get the best from me and my very cheeky pony. For many lessons, Nicola just had to convince me to keep riding and not be put off by my pony’s naughty antics!
Although my equestrian discipline is eventing, Nicola’s effective and supportive training methods have helped me to improve the flatwork of my horses and work my way up through the British Eventing levels. To date, I am the only rider on the Island who competes at three star level.
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My greatest personal achievement to date is riding for Great Britain at the European 2* Eventing Championships in Helvoirt, Holland. As a team, we achieved a silver medal in what was a very competitive event. Prior to me leaving for Holland, Nicola was totally committed to improving my riding and my horse’s (Lowhill Clover aka Will) way of going. I really could feel the difference in Will and the dressage scores were certainly influential in the medals.
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Nicola is hugely supportive of me and my horses and over the years has also become a valued and trusted friend. I feel a huge sense of satisfaction at the end of each of my lessons and have plenty of things to work on in between. Nicola is an integral part of my team and I am optimistic about what the future will bring for me".
Sarah Holmes - Event Rider European Team Silver
"I’ve been training with Nicola for a number of years now and she has hugely supported and encouraged me throughout my time training with her. From starting on ponies to now competing internationally representing Great Britain at Small Tour level and coming home with top 10 placings! I love training with Nicola and always come out with a big smile on my face, with every session we continue to learn and improve and work towards achieving our goals. Nicola's knowledge and experience is invaluable and I can’t thank Nicola enough for everything she has taught me and helped me to achieve! Long may it continue!"
Gemma Maddocks
"I started training with Nicola in 2011 when my long-term trainer Jane Gregory sadly passed away. Nicola was recommended by a friend who knew how tricky and nervous my young horse was and felt that Nicolas training methods would suit me. Since then Nicola has taken me from Novice to Inter I, and for someone who has never trained a horse beyond medium before that was no easy task! She is endlessly patient and enthusiastic and puts 110% into every lesson.
I have been fortunate enough to regularly qualify for both summer & winter championships and get top 10 placings, winning the highest placed amateur award on several occasions. In 2016 I decided to compete at the Pet Plan Area Festival at Oldencraig as I did not feel we were experienced enough at advanced to try for the Regionals. Much to my surprise & delight we won both the PSG & Inter I, qualifying for the finals with over 68% in both tests.
One of Nicolas great talents is getting the best out of both of us and finding training methods that suit both horse & rider, which comes very high on my list of requirements for a great trainer.
I am not a professional rider, just a one-horse amateur trying to achieve the best I can with an exceptional horse. Sometimes when things are not going to plan I wonder if I should give up and stick to the levels I am comfortable with, but Nicola won’t hear of it and her endless support and belief has kept me going".
Debbie Poynter