Robin Anderson, M.Ed
Owner of Broad Places LLC.
Grampian Labradors, reg.
AKC Silver Breeder of Merit
Rehoboth, MA
www.grampianlabs.com
My husband and I both own an equestrian barn full of lovely horses and even lovelier horse people. I have my own dream pony and competed with him for the first time in the summer of 2022 in the Pleasure Driving Class at the 75th anniversary of The Marion Horse Show. I’ve discovered that training a horse is similar to training a dog only in a larger space and with a larger village. As a child I dreamed of having my own pony. I was that kid who waited to be invited to ride the neighborhood ponies owned by other families. As I matured into adulthood and spent my life with kids and dogs, I lost the desire for a pony of my own until we bought Broad Places Farm in Rehoboth MA. To create a beautiful environment to raise grandchildren, the farm blossomed into a haven for many others. We added horses who board and horses I own to allow my grandchildren and other children to love, learn from, and enjoy.
The first time I sat in on one of Nona’s lessons, I knew she was the one I needed to make my life with horses complete. My learning curve in equines was steep and fast, but I knew I needed to learn more. Nona was and continues to be just the ticket! She’s fun, funny, encouraging, knowledgeable, and is willing to freely share what she’s learned in a lifetime with horses, making herself always available to others who want to soak in what they need to learn for themselves. I watched lessons with other trainers both in my barn and in other barns. I took lessons with other trainers along the way. In my mind and in my experience, Nona is the best for new students through to the most advanced students. I have yet to witness the depth of knowledge and the ability to transfer the needed information as clearly and concisely as Nona can do. She gives each student exactly what is needed without information overload. And she’s available outside of each lesson to help with clarity if a student needs it. An added plus is that Nona is still willing to be A STUDENT in her craft and art of riding and horsemanship. She still studies under one of the best instructors in the world and passes on all her new information to her students. As a teacher and student, myself, I can understand why this desire to keep learning will maintain and enhance an instructor’s skills to teach.
~ Robin Anderson
Mikaela Slocum w/ Charlie
Broad Places Young Rider
Apprentice in Teaching
Rehoboth, MA
I took my first lesson with Nona just after the start of 2022. I had been in the hunter jumper world my whole life occasionally doing some dressage, but at that point my horse Charlie and I desired a change in our riding. Nona approached me about taking some lessons with her and I accepted not knowing what I was truly going to get out of it. After taking lessons with Nona for about a year I can confidently say that it was one of the most beneficial experiences for both me and Charlie. Nona has not only taught me the basics of dressage she has taught me how to learn. She has encouraged me to ask questions and take a different perspective when learning new things. She has taught me how to breakdown complex concepts for not only my own benefit but for Charlies too. I have not only become a better rider but I have become a better student. Nona not only completely explains topics but ensures that you as the rider knows exactly why you are doing certain things. Throughout this past year Nona has not only been an amazing trainer, she has also been a true friend. She has the kindest heart and amazing compassion for not only people but the horses as well. This summer I am going to start working towards my Massachusetts trainers license. I couldn’t ask for a better person to do my apprenticeship with. I am excited to learn from Nona's teaching. Her ability to see things from the ground and pick up things before they even happen is something I am looking forward to learning. A year ago I had no idea where dressage was going to take me, but now I know that it has gifted me a wonderful person and trainer. I am a better rider for Charlie and a better person to myself. I cannot thank Nona enough for what she has done for me and I can’t wait to see how her training continues to transform my life.
~ Michaela Slocum w/ Charlie
Nona Maiorano
Resident Instructor
Rehoboth, MA
NONA's BIOMECHANICAL CHALLENGES:
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This horse was 15 years old and came never having learned to canter and here he is : confident and strong!
Below is a client's horse, a 10 year old Andalusian (non PRE), that came with the inability to step under because of a hurt sacrum and had no idea of walk, trot, or canter. In 3 months, with proper biomechanical training and use of dressage physics, this horse developed muscle, self-carriage and the beginnings of throughness to have the counter canter, simple change, shoulder in, travers and renvers in all three gaits.
Nona's own personal horse of 18 years, Chocolat, a Warmblood at age 24 who came with a right leg two inches longer than his left, right shoulder injury, and scar tissue as well as a collapsed left front hoof...Nona trained him to Grand Prix
All these horses are only some of the major success stories of what the ability to combine the knowledge of BioMechanics of Horse and Rider along with the physics of dressage. By knowing how and when to incorporate the movements, brings out the best in every horse regardless of their conformation and can be brought along to the best that their body can offer.