Meet Nona

      Nona Maiorano is an instructor that has been labeled a Unicorn, Fairy Godmother, and was given the moniker:” Champion in a World of Timidity and Folly.”  Nona teaches and lives by her philosophy and her life’s mission (her Telos) which is to be an instrument for growth and development in a positive embrace of the long and tedious process in learning dressage.  Self-Carriage is not taught just to the horse but is first taught to the student in physical preparation, mental focus and positive increments for the development and responsibility to learn to not be just a rider but a trainer; one who influences the horse at every stride.  

      Her approach to teaching is that she looks for both the strengths in the horse and in the rider, and from that starting place, builds upon the goals that the student has proclaimed as their desire.   She has a profound knowledge of the biomechanics of both horse and rider as well as a comprehensive knowledge of the foundation needed to produce a dressage horse for whatever level the horse’s conformation will permit.  Through the art of lunging and the in depth understanding of developing the riding position, Nona guides the student to achieve their desired partnership with horsemanship being the core priority to attain the flow of freedom and movement that enhances the horse to not only be the dancer that is desired, but to be healthy and happy in doing it.  The agenda is never the goal, but the journey to the agenda that has the horse’s best interest at its center is the path to not only finding harmony with the horse but also the deepest navigation of a life of peace which nature and interaction with nature will groom.  It is crucial to Nona that interaction with her for however long desired brings out a lasting impression that leaves the rider with confidence, understanding and compassion to the horse and oneself. 

      Nona has a BA degree both in English, Psychology and in Philosophy and she is a leader in the promotion of Stoical teaching and practice.  She comes to the arena with her ego left behind in order to not corrupt the process and is open to the seeing the student/horse combination for their personal best, assess their next steps and to encourage as well as support the process because when we know better, we do better. 

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                                                      Listen to Nona talk about Human Self-Carriage by clicking HERE