Satisfied Owners. Happier Horses.
Alicia Langeway M.S., Animal Science w/ Artie
Salem, CT
I first met Nona about 14 years ago. She was judging at a local show and provided clear and positive feedback. I waited for her day to finish so that I could ask if she taught in my area. Fortunately for myself and my Mare, she was able to come to my barn! Over the years my appreciation for her support has grown. She and I have worked together with multiple horses, from various distances, and even more regularly thanks to her ability to teach virtually.
Nona has a gift for being able to feel, explain, and "ride" with you from the ground, something I've never seen another Instructor achieve. I joke that she doesn't ever miss a THING, even virtually when I hear her talk to me through ear buds, I feel as though she is right there riding along with me.
She has helped me to grow, not only as a rider, but as a human and a trainer to my horse. Not all upper level riders can teach upper level concepts, let alone explain simplistic basic skills. Nona has the ablility to build any concept from the ground up. She begins with basic theory and as the student/horse advances they progress to the next layer of the onion.
When the time came for me to consider a new horse, Nona had just ridden a gelding that she deemed to be "made for me." I had recently put my Mare down, and wasn't quite ready to entertain the idea. She told me to let her know if/when I changed my mind. In the meantime, she had put in some extra rides on him. Several months later I asked about him and she said that she had confirmed that he was the horse for me, and I was the rider for him. At that time I opened my mind to try him out. The rest is history! After having him for 2.5 years, I can now say that I can not imagine having any other horse. Nona possesses a remarkable talent for pairing people with the perfect horse, and the success stories of several other rider/horse pairs she has matched together further attest to her skill.
Nona has been right beside me through every up and down. All throughout this journey, I realized that Nona is truly my person. She understands me and always helps me to see the lesson or skill through my own eyes. No one that I have worked with before has been able to help me in this way. I am eternally grateful to have her support and guidance along this wild ride to Grand Prix! I can only strive to make her proud in what we have accomplished and what we will continue to accomplish together. ❤️
Sue Williams
Grand Prix Trainer
N. Venice, FL
www.essentiallydressage.com
Through Nona’s life-long dedication to study and learn, she has earned a strong and thorough understanding of the foundation in dressage. This knowledge gives each rider and horse combination, a great springboard towards maximizing their goals and potential. Because of her dedication and experience with learning in many endeavors as well as dressage, she is very empathetic to the various students struggles throughout their paths.
Nona has an incredible gift in articulating the many abstract concepts of dressage as well as the “why’s” seen through the biomechanics lens. She has a very engaging and delightful way of expressing herself and has worn so many hats in life (like her acting and singing experiences), that she brings a very appealing and artful element to each lesson. She is very entertaining!
Since her top priority is horsemanship, a strong forté of hers is her knowledge of the TRT Method. She has studied it extensively and continues to do so. Nona is very generous in sharing her knowledge in teaching each student, as warranted, how to help their horse be more confident and trusting with the various “scary” situations that life presents to them.
I highly recommend Nona for your individual needs, whether it be to understand how to bond more profoundly with your horse or to add competitive goals as well.
Lynn Dyson
Vet Tech
West Baldwin, ME
I have been riding with Nona for 14 years for training to 3rd level. Nona sets herself apart from others in many ways but the most to me is how much she cares. Nona goes above and beyond to help her students achieve their goals and is supportive both in and out of the saddle. Nona has real world experience and expectations, not everyone can afford the best horses but Nona has the unique ability to find the strengths in any horse and rider to bring them to their fullest potential and beyond. I have a horse that is build all wrong for dressage and should not to doing 3rd level but by building on his strengths the correct way he is doing it! Another of Nona’s exceptional abilities is her lunge work, she is able to train new work on the lunge without rider interference so the horse has a clear understanding and muscle memory. Anyone who would like to not just be a rider but a partner to your horse, and begin to achieve your dreams should consider Nona as your trainer/coach.
Jeannie Fernandez
Partnership of Choice Horse Communicator
Middleboro, MA
www.jeanniefernandez.com
I met Nona because she called me to come do a session on some of the horses in her care. She was concerned for their physical and mental health before she proceeded in their training. I found her to be curious and extremely open minded. She also deeply understands the need for connection between horse and rider and this has led her to encourage her mounts to have a voice. I liked the way she understands the basic Desire = success concept. As an instructor I find her to be an absolute pleasure to ride for ,She is super knowledgeable about biomechanics and also can read her students body language extremely well. She is like a fairy god mother and her wand is a lunge whip!!! If you want a great ride and a happy horse that understands what you are asking for I highly recommend Nona.
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.
Carolyn Hoffshire
Nona knows how to see in a horse and rider what connection they have physically and also spiritually. With these two things she helps you really connect with your horse, not just ride them. For over 20 years I have ridden with Nona, on my “heart horse” and on horses that were also my teachers. What I found the most inspiring was that Nona wanted me to succeed just as much as I did. Our life struggles can be seen through our riding and she sees it too. If you are looking for a compassionate trainer who will love your horse as much as you do, who will push the two of you in a way that makes you a better pair, in and out of the saddle, then Nona is the trainer for you. You may end up with a lifelong friend as well. ❤️
Mary Cole
I started riding with Nona a little over a year ago. She quickly keyed in on the difficulties we were having and helped rebuild us from the ground up. Nona’s systematic approach focuses first on correct rider mechanics to allow the horse to do its job without the rider getting in the way. She learns about each horse and applies specific techniques to help their performance. For us it was the addition of using music to establish tempo. She also applys things she learns from my horse’s brother to our rides. I feel like Nona is really on my team and is able to provide even more support through virtual lessons, enabling tune ups much more frequently! Nona has truly helped me to have better intention in my riding and has made my horse a happier equine.❤️
Natalie Lasala
It has been a privilege to ride with Nona. She’s extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic & constructive. My time with her has not only helped my riding but has improved my relationship with my horse. Nona has taught me the importance of building a strong foundation & how I could develop this via lunging. She has worked with me on my lunging technique, and it has helped my horse & I tremendously. My horse has become much more fit, confident & I now have valuable tools to use in and out of the saddle. Additionally, Nona has shown me the incredible importance of biomechanics – I am so much more aware of how my positioning affects my horse’s movement. And movement from a horse that never seemed to like to move – is an amazing thing! She’s consistently helping us build & progress; She’s shared music to help me understand the concept of tempo, articles to increase my knowledge of the sport & “game changing” recommendations for more effective tack. Overall, her approach has been different than any instructor I’ve ridden with before & it has truly made me enjoy riding again! Lastly, because Nona offers virtual lessons I am able to ride more frequently & it helps prevent me from falling back into my bad habits! Nona is such a genuine person that has a passion for this sport that is truly contagious! I am eager to learn more from her & continue to be challenged. I highly recommend riding with Nona!
- Natalie & Rebel
Kate Correia
Faculty Affairs Manager
Computer Science Department
Brown University
Swansea, MA
I called Nona looking for a trainer willing to come work with me at my home farm. She suggested that I come out and watch her teach a couple of her students at another small home farm local to me. I was so relieved to watch her students warm up by moving forward! This looked like it had potential to be a good fit! And it has been. Nona has a clear and fair approach in training horses and people. Not everyone has the gift of teaching, but Nona does. And because she so clearly thrives on learning herself, you know that her commitment to you and your horse is genuine. Each lesson with her is a gift that I can come back to while working independently.
Gwendolyn Braglia
Prelim Event Rider & Aspiring Dressage Rider
Owner/Barn Manager of High Horse Farm
Suffield, CT
This woman gifted me my confidence back. She teaches by the means of biomechanics, so everything makes sense. Changed my seat, leg, and hands. Helped me understand the why behind it. What she has taught me so far has helped me grow as a rider and use those tools in all the phases of Eventing. My horses have learned to trust me again, and I have learned to do the same. Nona has me reaching for my goals with love and support. She has earned the title of a WIZARD in my book! I’m so grateful she has come into my life. Thank you for gifting all your knowledge and not letting me give up these horses that I love so much!