Nicholas Dello Joio was born in Bedford, NY and grew up in Wellington, Florida. Although Nick has two equestrian parents, it was not until the age of 14 that he decided to take up riding. Now as a grand prix rider at the age of 30, he has quickly climbed up the ladder to success, following in his father’s footsteps.

Nick’s father, Norman Dello Joio achieved incredible success at home and abroad over his three-decade riding career. Winner of virtually every major Grand Prix in the U.S., he is best known for two major international titles–the 1983 FEI World Cup Final in Vienna, Austria, which he won abroad the French stallion I Love You, and the individual Olympic Bronze medal which he won riding Irish at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

When Nick began riding, he trained with his parents, and his talent was proven right from the start when he was circuit champion in the Children’s Modified Jumpers at the prestigious FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. In 2009, Nick won his first grand prix, the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix at the Atlanta Fall Classic I, and just one week later scored another win in the $25,000 EMO Grand Prix at the Atlanta Fall Classic II. Both wins were aboard Malcolm, a horse he had taken over riding for his father. Following his solid competition performance and a recommendation by U.S. Chef d’Equipe, George Morris, Nick received the 2010 Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award . In 2011 he and Malcolm were selected for the USET Foundation’s European Young Riders Tour, in which he had a remarkable debut in Europe with a Nations Cup win at CSIOY Weirden (NED).

Nick has had a lot of great placings in the last years, and has consistently appeared in the top 30 on the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping ranking list. His biggest wins thus far came at the BonjourQuebec.com  $100,000World Cup Qualifier at the International Bromont (Quebec, CAN) in July, 2012  aboard Scarface, the $100,000 Angelstone Grand Prix, and the $100,000 Woodlea Grand Prix of Lake Placid. Along with a steady competition schedule and a growing list of students he helps, Nick has sold a number of horses  that have gone on to achieve excellent results.