Riding Disciplines
Dressage
Coach(es)
Nicole Magoffin & John Thompson
Horses
Bello Ragazzo (Alfie), Swan Song (Banjo), Dark Ambition (Cooper), Freeling Heights Jupiter (JP), Pendower Paris (Paris)
Breed(s)
Warmblood, Thoroughbred, Riding Pony
Name the most influential person in your riding career and why:
I gain different knowledge from everyone I meet in the horse industry, but the most influential would have to be Frank Holmes as he was the first person to introduce me to ‘Bubbles’ the pony.
Describe your riding history:
I first started at the age of 7. This cemented my absolute love of riding which ultimately led me into wanting to know more about what made horses tick and why? Over the next 11 years I spent this time getting as many hours in the saddle as I could to gain more and more knowledge and confidence, I bought my first competition horse at the ae of 16 - Cooper and he took me through many competitions with success.
I travelled to England when I was 23 and spent 9 months working at Shade Oak Stud in Shrewsbury and then at River Hill Farm. This was a pure dressage establishment and I worked under the guidance of the owner Sarah Dwyer-Coles who was on the UK Olympic Squad.
Upon returning to Australia, I competed with Cooper and Bella and this is where I became more serious about Dressage. This led to completing my studies as a Level 1 General Coach and starting up my own equestrian business - Bluestone Equestrian Centre. In 2008 I purchased Alfie and have been training and competing successfully on him. In 2012 I purchased my first young horse Banjo and have been really enjoying that journey also.
What are your ambitions?
I thoroughly enjoy training my horses through the levels and sky is the limit. Still keen to keep participating in the bigger shows along with travelling interstate to compete.
I would like to continue growing my coaching methodologies and pass on my passion for horses to all of my students.
Have you trained or coached any riders who have had success?
I have several students who compete locally in dressage, eventing and showing competitions. I have taught these students from beginners to now being able to competently compete and place at shows.
Special care and management considerations of your horse(s):
Each horse has slightly different needs and sometimes you can be misled with information. Pryde's offers a vast range with uncomplicated effective ways to feed each individual horse, which makes horse management a lot easier.
Which Pryde's feeds do you use and why do you like them?
Easi Result - My favourite Pryde's product which all my horses love! It is an extruded grain based feed which provides cool energy.
Easi Response - Gives a balanced feed with soybean and cold pressed canola oil to maintain the best possible performance in my school horses.
Easi Feed Four Old Timer – Softened muesli blend for ease of chewing, making it ideal for aged horses.
Polished - Clearly the best hoof and coat conditioner I have used.
Special highlight(s) in your riding career
I regularly compete here in South Australia but finishing second in my first SA State Championship was one that I will always remember. I also have attended Show Horse Council and Horses in Action shows in hunter classes with success. However I find that every day that I train there is some form of highlight whether it is big or small I’m always smiling about something.
