Nicole Graf Ussher
Elite Equine Imports: Trainer - North
Born with a deep passion for horses, Nicky began riding at the age of 6 and started competing successfully on the local hunter/jumper circuit with her own “Fancy Pants” by age 10.
After high school, Nicky attended Johnson and Wales University, earning a A.S. in Equine Studies, and a B.S. in Equine Business Management. During that time Nicky was also a working student for grand prix dressage rider Diane Catanzaro, as well as a full-time veterinary technician at Warwick Animal Hospital.
During her senior year at J&W, she was given the opportunity to spend a trimester abroad in England at Waterstock House Training Centre, training with Lars Sederholm, then coach of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Event Team, and Swedish Olympic Event Team member Yogi Breisner, as well as 1992 British Event Team member Owen Moore.
Having fallen in love with the country, Nicky decided to move back to England after graduation and from 1992 – 2002 Nicky was based there full-time with British Team event rider Owen Moore. Nicky managed Owen’s competition stables and assisted in training horses, while also competing successfully on her own Irish Thoroughbred, “Nimbo” on the national Eventing circuit at Preliminary-level.
An avid entrepreneur, Nicky created and operated the highly successful online magazine “The Equestrian Times” in 1996 – one of only 25 equestrian web sites at the time. Nicky created the first-ever ‘Virtual Course Walk’ which enabled global viewers to tour the famous Badminton Horse Trials in England as well as the Kentucky Three-Day Event in the USA.
Nicky is also a nominated member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists, and has participated as a member of the press at the World Equestrian Games, European Championships, Hickstead, Badminton, Burghley, Blenheim, Bramham, Rolex Kentucky, Horse of the Year Show, and Olympia to name a few.
Since her return to the USA, Nicky has competed successfully in dressage and eventing. In addition, she has also been extremely successful on the Friesian circuit, claiming many top honors at the national level including: High Point Champion at the 2005 Friesian Grand National Championships, three High-Point Champions at the 2006 NEFHC East Coast Championships, trained the 2006 USEF Horse of the Year Friesian Jr. Exhibitor Champion & Reserve Champion; and has earned several USEF and USDF national breed titles at various levels with Friesian and Welsh Cob horses.
Nicky currently has 8 dressage horses in training from Training level up through Prix St. Georges as well as many students with their own horses.
