26 SIDELINES DECEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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By Lisa Engel
R
ider, trainer, instructor, Olympian athlete, clinician
and horse show manager Nona Garson is one
of the most accomplished, experienced and
energetic horsewomen in the world. Nona’s impressive
resume includes the 1998 World Championships and the
2000 Olympics Games. She rode on the team that won the
Nations Cup Finals at Spruce Meadows and on the 1995
Pan American Games team that won a bronze. Nona won
the Jaguar $100,000 Gold Cup in 1998 and 1999 as well
as multiple leading lady rider titles at Aachen, Royan, Gijon
and Helsink.
The Mentor, the Horsewoman
Nona exudes energy and a positive nature and is always
supportive of her young, inexperienced students, teaching them
not only riding, but how to be good horsemen. She guides her
experienced riders through advanced riding techniques and not
only tells them how to do it, but shows them as well. “I realize
that students learn differently, both visually and verbally. It is so
important to be able to communicate to my students and I feel I
really accomplish this,” Nona said. “That’s why my clinics come in
so helpful for everyone. Sometimes it just takes a person hearing
it from someone else, said differently, in order for them to really
get it.”
Nona has an uncanny knack for knowing her mounts and riding
them to their full potential and often into the winner’s circle. Nona
also stands the world-renowned stallion Languster, who she co-
owns with Ryan Automotive. The stallion has shown great success
in the international grand prix ring in recent years and already
is a proven sire, with many successful offspring who have been
winners in the Young Jumper Championships. “I love knowing that
this horse will help continue the line of winning grand prix horses
in the country,” Nona said.
From Humble Beginnings
Nona’s roots are in New Jersey, where she was raised on the
family farm, the original The Ridge farm on the corner of Bissell
and Deer Hill Roads in Tewksbury Township. As her business
grew, so did her need for bigger, state-of-the-art facilities. In
addition to The Ridge at Tewksbury, she now owns and operates
The Ridge at Riverview in Asbury, New Jersey as well as The
Ridge in Wellington, in Wellington, Florida. The Ridge at Riverview
and The Ridge at Wellington are also home to a series of shows
produced by Nona and her business partner and fancé, George
D’Ambrosio. “It has always been a dream of ours to produce
quality shows that reinforce all that we do leading up to the show.
The training, the lessons and working with young horses. It all
comes together at our shows for everyone,” Nona said.
Home at Last
The Ridge at Riverview shows attract local as well as top
national talent and truly provide something for everyone. It is like
a microcosm of Nona; the international rider who brings it all back
to her home base. “We love it in Asbury. This is such a special
property to us and we
love to welcome the
equestrian community
to our home base,” she
said. “We are completely
prepared to produce
some serious hunter
derbies here,” Nona said.
The Ridge at Wellington
hosts weekly Equitation
Tuesdays as well as a
weekly Friday Mini-Prix.
“Our location makes this a
perfect spot for everyone.
It’s super convenient and
everyone loves coming
to show at our place. We
can’t wait to see everyone
this winter.”
For more information
on The Ridge, visit
www.theridgefarm.com.
About the writer: Lisa Engel
is from Ringoes, New Jersey
and has extensive experience
in the equine industry focusing
on sponsorship sales, marketing
and public relations for horse
show production companies,
businesses, riders and horses.
Lisa was raised in Lebanon, New
Jersey and Nona Garson was
one of her frst riding instructors.
Showing with Nona Garson
Nona and Languster fy
over the Animal Planet
jump.
Photo by Anne Gittins
Nona Garson
Photo by Lisa Engel