Biography

Nicola Wilson

British Olympic rider and current European Champion Nicola Wilson (45), who is based near Northallerton in North Yorkshire, last competed at Badminton in 2019. In 2021 with Badminton entry JL Dublin Nicola won individual and team European gold medals in Avenches, Switzerland. Nicola is currently ranked 10^th in the FEI World Ranking.

Nicola who first competed at Badminton in 1999 is a long-standing member of British teams. She started competing with the Hurworth Pony Club and began eventing in her teens. In 1997 she was selected as an individual, for the British European Young Rider Squad on Mr Bumble, a horse that Nicola’s mother bought as a four-year-old when Nicola was 13. Nicola combined riding and competing with university studies gaining a degree in Sport and Business Management and was able to contest her first four-star at Burghley in 1998 coming 10th with Mr Bumble.

Nicola then enjoyed success to four-star level with Skiver with who she was selected as reserve for the 2005 Senior British team for the European Championships at Blenheim.

In 2009 Nicola gained her first British Senior team place, winning team gold at the European Championships with British-bred Opposition Buzz. The pair was pathfinder for the British team at four consecutive championships (2009-2012), helping Team GBR to win two golds, one silver and one bronze medal – including the team silver medal at the London Olympic Games. In 2014 she ran as an individual at the WEG in Caen (Annie Clover) and in 2015, with One Two Many she was a member of the team that won silver at the European Championships at Blair Castle. In 2017 with Bulana she led the British team to European gold in Strzegom and won the individual bronze medal.

Nicola has always enjoyed hunting and has been a keen member of the Bedale Hunt, along with her husband Alastair, brother, sister and Mother Mary who was a Master for eight seasons. Nicola trains with Christopher Bartle, Ian Woodhead and Peter Murphy.

JL Dublin owned by Mr and James Lambert and Mrs Deirdre Johnston is a German-bred, Holstein registered, 11-year-old gelding. He is by the leading sire Diarado sire of many jumping horses and eventers including Dacapo (Laura Collett) and Diachello (Jesse Campbell). He was purchased by his current owners at the Holsteiner sales as a 4-year-old and Nicola has produced him since. In 2021 he was the winner of the 4* classes at Bicton and Hartpury and went onto win the European Championships in Avenches.

Erano M owned by Nicola’s long-standing owner Lady Milnes-Coates, is a Dutch-bred, KWPN registered 13-year-old gelding. He is by the Holstein sire Canturano out of a mare by Flemmingh. He was acquired as a 6-year-old from Mark Kyle who competed him as a 5-year-old. In 2021 he was 5^th in the CCI4* at Blair Castle. Badminton will be his first at the level.