Honestly, if you've been following the financial collapse of Steward Health Care over the last year, the name de la Torre probably makes you think of Senate subpoenas, private jets, and a very expensive yacht named Vibrant Curiosity. But while Ralph de la Torre was busy navigating one of the messiest hospital bankruptcies in American history, another name kept popping up in the social columns and equestrian circuits: Nicole Acosta. Or, as she is often formally noted in legal and high-society circles, Nicole Acosta de la Torre.
She isn't just a "wife of" figure in a corporate drama. Nicole is a competitive dressage rider who has carved out a distinct, high-stakes identity in the world of elite horse sports.
The gap between the gritty reality of shuttered community hospitals and the pristine, white-fenced world of Texas and Florida horse ranches is wide. It’s also where Nicole lives her life. While the headlines focus on the "healthcare oligarch" narrative surrounding her husband, people in the horse world know her for something entirely different—precision, discipline, and a palomino gelding named Cali.
Who is Nicole Acosta de la Torre?
First off, let's clear up some confusion. If you search the name "Nicole Acosta," you'll find a talented journalist at People Magazine and a brilliant Chicana artist in Milwaukee known for the HOOPS project. Those aren't the Nicole we're talking about. The Nicole Acosta de la Torre tied to the Steward Health saga is a 29-year-old equestrian based in Texas.
Originally from Costa Rica, she moved to the United States and eventually married Ralph de la Torre, the former CEO of Steward Health Care. While her husband's career was built on the high-octane (and ultimately controversial) world of private equity-backed healthcare, Nicole’s focus has remained firmly on the dressage ring.
Dressage is often called "horse ballet." It requires an insane amount of focus. You aren't just riding; you're communicating with a 1,200-pound animal through almost invisible shifts in weight and pressure. It’s an expensive hobby, to say the least, and Nicole has been competing at a level that most people only see on TV during the Olympics.
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The 2024 US Dressage Finals Victory
In November 2024, Nicole hit a major milestone. She and her horse, Cali (an American Warmblood with a coat that literally shimmers like gold), took home the victory in the AA Third Level at the US Dressage Finals.
The pair scored a 69.042%. In the world of dressage, that’s a solid, impressive number. But what’s more interesting is the story she tells about the win. She didn't grow up in the saddle like some "old money" riders. She actually started learning dressage alongside Cali about six years ago.
- Horse: Cali (a 15-year-old palomino gelding)
- Location: Trained at Black Star Sport Horses in Rockwall, Texas
- Coach: USDF gold medalist Lisa Blackmon
- Achievement: 2024 US Dressage Finals AA Third Level Champion
She’s described Cali as "obedient and always there for you," which is kinda the dream for any rider. They are currently aiming for the Prix St. Georges level, which is basically the gateway to the international "Big Tour."
The Contrast: Horses vs. Hospitals
It is impossible to talk about Nicole Acosta de la Torre without acknowledging the elephant in the room—the Steward Health Care bankruptcy. In 2025, as investigative reporters from the Boston Globe and other outlets tracked the de la Torre family's spending, Nicole’s equestrian lifestyle became a flashpoint.
While hospitals in Massachusetts were struggling to buy basic medical supplies, the de la Torres were reportedly spending millions on horse-related expenses.
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The Waxahachie Connection
The family's primary training ground is a facility down the road from their ranch in Waxahachie, Texas. They’ve also been spotted at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. If you aren’t familiar with Wellington, think of it as the Hamptons for people who own horses that cost more than most people's houses.
Reports from mid-2025 described Ralph de la Torre watching Nicole compete from the sidelines, often sporting dark shades and a cigar, a stark contrast to the grim proceedings happening in bankruptcy courts back in Houston. This "lifestyle of the rich and famous" imagery has made Nicole a figure of intense public curiosity, whether she likes it or not.
What Most People Get Wrong
The internet tends to paint everyone with the same brush. In the case of Nicole Acosta de la Torre, it’s easy to assume she’s just a passive participant in a luxury lifestyle. But anyone who has spent five minutes in a barn knows that winning a national title in dressage isn't something you can buy.
You can buy the horse. You can buy the trainer. You can buy the $5,000 saddle. But you can't buy the 6:00 AM training sessions in the Texas heat or the core strength required to keep a horse in a perfect frame.
There’s a real discipline there. Honestly, it’s a bit of a paradox. You have the messy, chaotic, and legally fraught world of Steward Health on one side, and this ultra-controlled, disciplined pursuit of athletic perfection on the other.
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Why This Matters in 2026
As we move through 2026, the legal fallout from the Steward collapse is still settling. Ralph de la Torre has stepped down and faces ongoing scrutiny. However, Nicole’s equestrian career hasn't stopped. For her, the "next step" is clearly defined by the dressage levels she still wants to conquer.
While the public focus remains on the "healthcare oligarch" narrative, Nicole represents the human—and highly gilded—side of that story. She is a reminder of how private wealth, regardless of its source, often flows into niche, high-prestige worlds like professional horse sports.
What to Watch For Next:
- Prix St. Georges Debut: Keep an eye on the 2026 competition schedules in Texas and Florida. If Nicole and Cali move up to this level, it’s a sign they are serious about reaching the top tier of the sport.
- Asset Disclosures: As bankruptcy proceedings continue, the valuation of the family's "equestrian assets"—including the horses and the Waxahachie ranch—will likely stay in the news.
- The Costa Rican Connection: Nicole has often mentioned her roots; it will be interesting to see if she eventually represents her home country in international competitions.
If you’re interested in following her athletic progress, the best place to look isn’t the business section—it’s the US Dressage Federation (USDF) results database. Just don’t expect to see much about the hospital business there; in the ring, it’s just the rider, the horse, and the score.
To get a better sense of the world she moves in, you can look up the competition highlights from the Global Dressage Festival or check out the training philosophies at Black Star Sport Horses. These provide the context for her daily life that the financial headlines often miss.