Nadeem Noon Memorial

Publication
edited by Katherine Rosback

We would like to thank Jennifer Boggs, Christine Duke, Phillip Dutton, and Azam Hayat Noon for
taking the time to write the more extensive stories captured in this publication. Thank you, Linda
Kimbell, for taking the time to nd some of the old IEA article submissions.Thank you to all who
submitted photos and special thanks to Jennifer Boggs, Stephanie Davis, Azam Noon, Christine
Duke, and Anne Varns for your efforts in providing and/or scanning some of the earlier photos (precell phone!). Our sincere thanks to Annie Gray for the use of her incredible photographic portraits of
Nad.

Photo and Story Contributions Submitted By:

Carol Nowike
Sally Holman
Lura Forcum
Rachael Skirvin
Stephanie Davis
Andrea Baker
Azam Hayat Noon
Kasim Noon
Shannon Risner
Emily Copel
Emma Stockram
Stacy & Bridget Hardamon
Laura Ettinger
Laura Himes
Phillip Dutton
Shannon Risner
Evelyn Quigly
Shannon Prichard
Nora Endzel
Lee Ann Zobbe
Mary Harste
Kelly Peine
Deirdre Stanton
Simon Spencer
Kristin Mongonia
Ivan Dixon

His Passion

I live in the UK and went to school with Nad there. I stayed with Nad and his family in
Pakistan for a vacation in 1979. I still remember my time in Pakistan very well and with great
fondness, even though it was 35 years ago. He had an old Jeep, it looked like a Willis Jeep, and
we used to go night hunting, windscreen lowered, shot guns ready to pick a rabbit up in the
lights as he drove across the countryside. The rabbits had nothing to worry about.
Simon Spencer
Once we went lamping (using a hand held light at night on a jeep to locate boar) by our
favorite spot next to a marsh. Our farm manager as a boy used to graze cattle there and knew
every hole and such and was the best guide to the driver and the best spotter for the hunters.
We spotted a big boar who, as soon as we got near, took off. We knew they always head for
the swamp and our task was to cut them off before they got to it .
Nadeem was driving our jeep and also had a loaded shotgun in his right hand. Excited,
he gave full gas to the jeep and told the other guns that this big one was his. Nad chased full
speed driving with his left hand, trying to avoid water holes and ditches, while shooting with
the right hand with the boar dodging. Nadeem would re as soon as we got in range, wounding
the boar every time. After a 15 minute chase (which seemed like an hour with hair-raising turns
and narrow escapes from man deep water holes), Nadeem got him down.
We vowed never to sit with him if he were going to risk our lives for a boar.
Azam Hayat Noon

Nadeem used to be the

main character at the hunt,
giving us younger cousins
courage to chase wild boar on
horseback on river beds and
through wheat and sugarcane
elds.
Adnan Hayat Noon

The famous horse in his boar hunting

stories. Brave, fast, tireless, and agile-as
if he knew boars were his enemies.
Azam Hayat

Once we were hunting on the island in the middle of the river which was quite a
big island. It was a few kilometers long but only one km wide. It was all elephant grass
with some clearings. We started at one end with about 15 horses and riders. Only two
were armed with shotguns and only Nadeem with a spear. Towards the other end the
island had no brush and was ideal for chasing boars. We started the drive and when
we got to the end of the brush, ve boars broke the cover and ran straight, aiming to
cross the water and swim to the next island. The horsemen started the chase.
I went after one and saw Nadeem go after a big female. After losing my wounded
one in the water (which was 20 feet deep), I galloped back to see how Nadeem had
fared with his chase. From a distance I saw him race up to the boar with his brave
horse and, at full speed, drive the spear into the boar. As he overtook the boar the
spear came out. The boar then was chasing the horse and cut the horse in its hind legs.
I told Nadeem let me shoot it or it will cut the horses as it was a vicious one. He said
no, and got off the horse and went towards the boar. This was madness as the boar
could have cut him badly. But, to save his horse, he risked his life and drove the spear
into the charging boar. He fell backwards with the boars momentum but the boar was
done by then.
Azam Hayat Noon

One of the naughty things we

did which I remember is making
a chariot with three donkeys. It
was very hot at the farm during
our summer holidays and every
one took a siesta in the afternoon.
That is when Nadeem and I used
to sneak out for our adventures.
Our friends, farm hands sons, were
waiting for us, lurking around the
house.
On this one day Nadeem had
one of his great ideas of making
a chariot with three donkeys (the
idea had come from the movie Ben
Hur).
The donkey cart (which usually had only one donkey in it)
was brought up with our donkey.
One of the boys said he had seen
many donkeys grazing so we all
went and caught two of the wildest donkeys. They tried their best
to run but these boys would tame
any thing wild in minutes. So one
donkey was inside the bars and two
were on either side tied with ropes.
The cart that used to bring fodder
for the horses became our chariot.
Nadeem, standing on the cart (being Ben Hur), made them go as fast
as possible around the garden.
It was great fun and exciting....
until the donkeys said they had had
enough: they headed straight for
the shut gate of the house. The
big wooden gate in the archway
also had a small door in it and that
became the target of the older
donkey. He saw that as the escape

door and he went for it to save his life, trying to jump through the door, not realizing
there are two other donkeys. The other two
smashed head on into the door and he was
hanging half inside and half outside the
door. We ran to untangle the poor beasts,
glad to see they were okay..
Then we decided we needed to go out
of the farm yard for the full potential of our
chariot. There is a big drain running through
the farm. The donkeys got scared and ran
out of control and we were too close to the
edge of the road and went tumbling into the
drainall three of the donkeys, with us on
the cart, ying up in the air and falling into
the drain. Luckily no one was hurt.
Right at that time the young man, Rama,
who was our nanny came from the village,
helped us release the donkeys from this
ordeal. He said he was going to report this to
our father and we had to beg for hours and
promise we would not catch those donkeys
again before he said he would keep our
secret.
Azam Hayat Noon

Nad driving in his later years (much more under control).

He would yell, Look at me! Im Ben Hur! Yahoo!

Carol Nowicke

The 2002 Fair Hill event was amazing. Greystone and Nad strutted their stuf
they were in their element. They were prepared, t, hungry and ready. It was also
one of the last years that Fair Hill was held as a long format. Phillip was there with
several horses. This new guy, Will Faudree, was in the lead after XC. Someones
Jack Russell grabbed hold of Darren Chiacchias ankle and we all almost fell over
laughing at his reaction. Sherry was his groom for the weekend and Patty Grimm,
Greystones owner, was there with me and several others. Sherry and I drove to the
start box for Phase A. I was taken along so that if there were vehicle problems, I
could run to the check point before Steeplechase.
Anne Varns

IEA Vol 1, Issue 5

June 2005
Reprinted with permission.

eections On
The Value of
Humility
Nad Noon
On May 16th, 2005, I returned from
a very enlightening weekend at Jersey
Fresh, where I learned if you are an
event rider, vanity can be expensive.
How expensive, you ask? Well, I paid
with a broken nose, broken teeth, and
an arm that, temporarily, has a mind
of its own. Permit me to start at the
beginning.
I had been having a remarkable
season with big wins on both my
horses and I expected to do well again.
Phantom was rst after the rst days
10

of dressage and, watching the other

horses, I felt quite cocky going into the
endurance phase with my only reservation being Phantoms tness and speed
capabilities. Well, after he breezed
through the three minute steeplechase
with seven seconds and plenty of wind
to spare, I felt I had the makings of a
true four star horse.
There had been lots of discussion
at the barns about the difculty of the
cross-country course, but I paid no
heed to the chattering of a bunch of

whiners and sissies. After all, I was on Phantom! What could I have to worry about? All
I had to do was run around the course faster
than anyone and I would once again be in
rst place.
Phantom leapt out of the start box like a
race horse and we were off to thrill the many
spectators that had gathered to watch. Phantom was magnicent over the rst six fences,
jumping with such power and technique.
I was six seconds late at my rst minute
mark so I opened him up a little more as we
came into the main eld with throngs of
spectators. Phantom got ever more game.
We jumped the double corners leaving out
a stride and, jumping over the pot in the
middle of the corner, all I could think was
What a magnicent horse!
We were on time at our second minute.
He jumped the Grand Hedge really big and
then was extremely nimble over the Camels
Back. We had gained six or seven seconds
at our third marker. I could hear Phillip
Duttons voice in my head: If you can get
ahead of the clock a little, you can then take
more time at the combinations in the later
part of the course.
I saw peoples faces, their jaws dropping
in amazement as this magnicent horse
played with this hard course. I was on top
of the world! I did not even bother to take a
tug as we came down the hill to the bounce
into water. He just dealt with the bounce
and jumped in and pulled me to the Skinny
Duck on the way out. I raised my head to
see the spectators joy and delight. Phantom
was really motoring; he was going like a four
star horse, not a two star horse!
I pulled up a little for the next combination, but not much. After all, I had not
helped him at the water and he had done it
ne! Why be cautious and waste seconds? I
wanted to get way ahead of the clock. We
galloped through the tent, two strides up the
hill to the barrels, and then two short strides
to the narrow chevron set on the edge of
a drop with a hard right tun to follow. He

went through the tent without batting an eye

and jumped the barrels awlessly.
Now I was supposed to steady for the two
short strides to the skinny with the good drop
behind it. I was supposed to be cautious with
my position and sit still so he could t in two
short steps, jump cleanly, and nd his landing
gear after the four foot drop before I turned
sharply. But the crowd was watching and this
was Nad and Phantom! What worries could I
possibly have?
So, instead I threw caution to the wind and
kicked for speed, leaned forward at the skinny,
pulled the right rein even before the horse
took off, and leaned right to make a sharp
turn. (I wonder how many of my students are
shaking their heads in disbelief.)
Phantom hit the jump with the right knee
hard, catapulting me like a lawn dart head rst
into the ground--and justly so. As my horses
neck disappeared from my view, I remember
saying sorry to Phantom for cheating him out
of his balance but, at the same time, I begged
him not to land on me. Luckily, he did not
fall. As I spat out my broken teeth I remember calling myself an arrogant fool. Alas, the
realization came a few seconds late. On top of
this, as if to tell the spectators that he was not
a careless horse and that this blunder had not
been his fault, Phantom jumped six or seven
strings (used to keep spectators out of the galloping paths) awlessly to make his way back
to the start box in the hopes of nding a more
humble rider.
As I was being strapped down on the
stretcher, listening to how Phantom jumped all
those strings cleanly brought a sigh of pride
from me. After all, I had done some of his
training!
A costly weekend but a treasure of knowledge acquired. Arrogance and eventing dont
mix well.

11

The Stories
Nads story-telling art got him As in school when
he wrote essays on hunting and riding. That was
always his passion.
Rahat Noon
Nadeems mother

After a particularly bad dressage test with Dub

(after warming up so well), I sheepishly walk over
to Nad for feedback. He asks me if I ever go to
a drug store. I say yes. He said Well, you need
to go get some mean pills!
Sally Holman

When my daughters horse shot straight up in

the air over the skinny, Nad (through laughter )
said, She looked something like a rocket ship...
not sure how she stayed on.
Shannon Risner

12

I distinctly remember preparing a

horse for my lesson at Nads and I was
grooming for quite a while. Nad walked
by and said: If you dont stop working
on the aesthetics of that horse youre
never going to ride. and kept going
and walked into the indoor.
Another time I had just returned from
being home in NY for the summer and
had gotten a new trainer. Within the
rst ve minutes of my lesson, Nad
declared: You got a new trainer this
summer. I can tell because now youre
really riding. You should go back to the
old one and ask for your money back
because its like a defective product at
the store. You should be able to return
it for a refund.
Emily Copel

The last time I saw Nad was at Team Challenge 2015. He jokingly teased me about being
the only good rider on the team. The next day, I was riding XC warm up and he called me
over after I hopped over my last warm-up fence. He immediately adjusted my horses bridle
because a rein had twisted somehow on the bit over the fence. My trainer was riding the XC
course that I would soon partake in, and hadnt been there to notice that for me. Simply out
of kindness, Nad noticed that I wasnt able to see the kink and he saved me riding the course
with it! He waved me off with a Kick some ass! as I rode into the start box.
Emma Stockrahm

13

At one of my lessons, Nad had set up an impossible looking jump in the eld behind the barn. After my horse, Kitty,
and I had somehow mastered it, I asked how he knew that
we could clear that jump and all the other scary jumps he
put in front of us. He said something like I dont. I just put
stuff up and see if you are crazy enough to try it. I know he
knew we couldbut at that moment, before that realization
dawned on me, I was simultaneously somewhat horried and
proud.
Mary Harste
Nadeem Noon, you will be deeply missed in this world, but
your legacy will live on for many years to come. Your positivity was infectious, your laugh one of a kind, and your straight
forward advice was something missing in the world of
coaching.
Mathew OHaver
When working with a coach for a long time you build
bonds; they become family. Parents put the care of their
children in the hands of coaches. We do that because we trust
and love them and know that they will do the best for their
child. You share trials and tribulations, cries and celebrations. I do not believe that Nadeem Noon could ever know
the depth in which his life touched so many. He will always
remain a part of our lives. I can't thank his family enough for
sharing him with us.
Cindy Smith
What I remember most is the way he would set up a course
of jumps and tell you to pop over this one, that one, that
one, that one over there, and then that one, and only after
nishing (and hearing Nads whoop!) did you realize that
you had done something pretty awesome. He just made you
believe that you could succeed at whatever he asked-- what
a great feeling that was! Up-N-Over was my second home -leaving the barn the day we moved was the hardest goodbye
of all. Until now.
Laura Ettinger

14

Though I only had the opportunity

to ride with Nadeem Noon once, I
cant recall a horse show where he
didnt stop to ask about my ride, offer
advice, or let me know that Purdue
students arent allowed at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Laura Himes

Ill never forget what Nad said to me during our last lesson at his farm in Bloomington. We were
jumping some big, looky show jump fences, including an oddly constructed corner, and I remember my
condence demons threatening to make an appearance. As I picked up my canter to start the course, he
calmly but denitely stated from his golf cart, Ride the horse, not the history!
Hannah Bennet

15

16

When my daughter, Helen, moved up to prelim at Jump Start, I stood next to

Nad. Helen was ying around, taking a long spot at every jump. Nad kept saying,
Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit.... Helen won. And they spent the next year correcting her approach.

Martha Morris

At an Adult Riders clinic, the rst group of the day on Saturday jumped super challenging stuff.
Where do we go from here? we asked Nad (the peanut gallery was concerned about what
their group was going to be challenged with later). Why do you all look freaked out? Nad
asked. He later told Jim, a starter level rider, at the cofn: Jim, were skipping two levels and
doing Training now.
Shannon Risner

One of my favorite memories was when I got a huge

OHHH SHIT!! when I jumped into the water. Nad
said, Man, I really thought you were going for a
swim. Nice save. Now go do it right.
Kristen Mongonia

Once upon a horse trial, after ungracefully landing from an oxer in

front of my saddle, Nad suggested--without a hitch--that I might
have a career in Cossack dance.
Ivan Dixon

17

A story I wish to share is one that

illustrates Nads charismatic and
hilarious side. This event took place in
Aiken, SC a few years ago.
This particular year was the inaugural Aiken Event Horse Sale. Nad was
one of the headliners and was highly
involved in putting this together. He
was also showing a horse of mine in the
sale, as well as some others.
Nad graciously invited us to attend
the cocktail party at fellow organizer of
the sale, Craig Thompsons house. This
turned out to be a whos who of the
upper crust of eventing and Debi and
I were in awe. We were enjoying the
evening when Nad informed us that the
party was moving to the Hotel Aiken
for karaoke. Apparently, this karaoke is
a weekly Aiken event for many of the
wintering upper level eventers (well, the
younger ones at least).
Nad tired out fairly early and found
his way out to the lobby to lay on a
couch. The staff at Hotel Aiken didnt

exactly approve of Nad dozing on a couch in their lobby and

so he found his way back into the bar and asked us for cab
money to go home. We werent really ready to go home quite
yet but sending him in a cab didnt seem like the right thing
to do.
So, maybe it was the drinks, maybe it was the atmosphere
of watching our favorite eventers belting out karaoke or
maybe it was just being silly, but we made Nad a deal: we
would leave and take him home if he sang one song. So out
came the big book of songs. He could have picked anything in
there. He looked it over intently, went up to the DJ with his
selection, and we waited with the utmost suspense.
Finally Nads name was called. The music was cued and
low and behold, Nad starts singing Rick James Superfreak!! I
think I almost peed my pants laughing. He was commanding
that stage and he had the whole crowd cheering and loving
it. Next thing I knew, the crowd had started a train with Nad
at the helm. The train snaked its way throughout the packed
Hotel Aiken Bar and included several big name eventers,
owners, and supporters. It was hilarious! Nad fullled his
end of the bargain and so did we, so home it was, laughing
the whole car ride back . We thought that was the end of
that, but we were wrong!
The next morning was an early morning as we had to load
the horses, haul over to the sale and Nad had a couple horses
to ride. We arrived before 8am on the sale grounds and Nad
walks by his coach and friend Phillip Dutton and says good
morning to which Phillip replies Good morning, Superfreak. Nads jaw dropped and he was in complete shock.
How could Phillip know?! He wasnt there! But he didnt
have much time to contemplate it as then another eventer
walks by and say Hi, Superfreak. and then another, and
another! Everyone knew the story and Nad would never live it
down. (Apparently someone shot some video of this--allegedly as I never actually saw this video--and posted it to social
media.) Nad was a star, yet again, though maybe not in the
realm he was accustomed to. (He also had some explaining to
do as Sherry had heard about it back home running the farm
in Indiana!)
Several months after this, I was walking a cross-country
course with Nad and his phone rang. Can you guess what the
ring tone was? Yes, it was Superfreak. Nad enjoyed a good
laugh and every time we heard that phone ring, we couldnt
help but giggle.
I owe everything Ive been able to achieve in the sport of
eventing to Nad.
Christine Duke

18

I am a dressage rider rather than

an eventer. Nadeem Noon was my
rst dressage instructor, and he not
only started me well, but had a profound effect on my thinking and my
riding. From the beginning, he made
clear to me the importance of teaching my horse, for his well-being and
long-term soundness, to use his back
correctly. This, for me, became the
essence of dressage; I nd anything
lacking is insufcient. To this day, my
rst priority in schooling my horse is
to teach him to come through his top
line.
Ann Belth

19

IEA Vol 1, Issue 4

April 2005
Reprinted with permission.

he Trot to
Canter
Transition
Nad Noon
To ride a good canter transition
one must understand how a horse
uses its body to accomplish it, then
you must strengthen and supple the
horse appropriately and nally apply
the aids in a manner which enhances
the horses correct use of its body.
Simply put, a horse must bend
the outside hind leg and reach it
farther under its body so it can lever
the whole body upwards in order to
allow the inside hind leg to reach forward into the canter stride. To lower

the croup and reach under itself with

a bent hind leg requires strength and
suppleness of the hind quarters.
To reach into the stride with the inside
leg, the horse must be able to bend
laterally and pull the hind leg foreword. Visualizing these physical efforts
will lead us to nding the appropriate
strengthening and suppling exercises.
To lower the quarters and enhance
bending of the hind legs, we can use
a variety of exercises such as turns on
the forehand and quarters, shoulder
20

in and out, rein back and my personal

want to have is that your horses inside pair
favorite: shoulder in up and down a
of legs want to speed up. Then just ask
slight incline. The other crucial ingrethe horse to lower its quarters with a slight
dient is lateral bend achieved from a
closing of the outside hand and encourage
reaching and pushing inside hind leg;
the inside hind to reach into the canter by
leg yields, forward ridden
closing your leg and putting
shoulder in, turns around You will know your
your seat in an encouraging
the forehand and shoulder canter transitions are
position. You want to allow
getting good when you
in on circles. The variety
the horse to take you into the
feel the horse rise up
and combination of excanter rather than push him
from the ground to carry into it. If you nd yourself
ercises is only limited by
your imagination. You must you into the canter with- pushing, you did not have the
do these exercises with the out any change in rein
trot correctly prepared. The
goal of achieving a specif- contact or any stiffening pitfalls to avoid are: too weak
ic physical and gymnastic of its back.
a trot, a restricting inside rein,
improvement in the horse.
and rider leaning forward
Doing the exercises for
rather than waiting for the
the sake of the exercise is useless. You
horse to carry him forward. Use every tranmust keep a close eye on whether dosition to gather information and be better
ing the exercise is making your horse
prepared for the next one. If you see a
a better athlete in the specic area you
recurring pattern of weakness, formulate a
are targeting,
plan to improve things by coming up with
When you are happy with your
gymnastic exercises that address the probhorses ability to lower its croup, bend
lem rather than trying to apply your aids
laterally, and reach forward with its
more forcefully.
inside hind, you can focus on polishing
You will know your canter transitions
your transitions.
are getting better when you feel the horse
We have all read and heard our
rise up from the ground to carry you into
teachers recite the correct aids so I
the canter without any change in rein conwill not reiterate them here. The horse
tact or stiffening of its back. In a dressage
must be going forward in an active
test you can use the preceding movements
trot towards the outside rein. In other
to help your horse be in the ideal balance
words, he is pushing actively with the
and posture for the depart by emphasizinside hind and if your outside aids
ing the ingredients that you now underwere not there he would immediately
stand are part and parcel of a good canter
go into a leg yield. This would also
transition. Good luck.
result in correct lateral bend without a
restricting inside rein. The feeling you
21

At a clinic on my farm,
giving lessons to friends
and me on my Haingers,
Nad lamented: You all
think too much. Stop that.
Go out and have some fun.
Lifes too short to be so
serious all the time. We all
signed up for Leg Up 2014
on the Haingers and had
a blast.
Katherine Rosback

22

Nads 50th Birthday Celebration at the 2011 AEC Championships

The rst time I showed, I got up on the horse and I decided I wasnt
going to show since I wasnt ready. Nad smacked the horses rump to
make it walk into the arena and shouted Too late now!
Kristie Williams
Nad once showed up to the barn wearing Wrangler jeans, which
naturally caused me to tease him mercilessly about how next hell be
chewing tobacco and roping cattle. His only response was to say I
bought them because they make my butt look good.
Nora Endzel

23

IEA Vol 2, Issue 4

May 2006
Reprinted with permission.

n Riding
Water Jumps
Nad Noon

No matter what the level, the water

jump is one of the most inuential jumps
on the cross-country course. It tests the
horses previous training and condence
level, and it also tests the riders forethought and understanding of the difculties involved. It also tests the riders
ability to plan and execute the correct
ride.
To ride this correctly, the rider must
know the horse in order to decide on the
best plan. It is imperative that all water
schooling be designed to instill condence
in the horse with regards to the footing in
the water jump. Usually, if the horse has
been schooled in a few water jumps with
good reliable footing, things tend to go
24

very well. A crucial component to planning ones approach to the water jump is
the horses condence level.
On walking the course, one rst has
to identify all the questions being
asked before formulating a plan. The
higher the level, the more complicated
and numerous questions asked by the
course designer. I usually start by taking
note of the last jump before the water
and see if it had any inuence. What is
its proximity? Its complexity? Next, I
look at the general direction. Is it going
away from home or towards it? This is
especially important for the green horse.
The spectators and shadow can be an
inuence as well.
Once I have a good understanding of

the general site and any inuences it may have,

tory and land in the water without any
I look more specically at the approach.
forward momentum. You also dont want
For more simple water questions, I decide
to go so fast and at across the water as
on a speed and engagement level that I can
it is hard for a horse to jump cleanly up
maintain throughout my approach, entry, and
a bank for a at, long stride, especially if
exit from the jump. The surprise or averthe water is deep. My point is this: the
sion factor will exert a force pushing your
rider must identify all of the inuences
horse behind your leg. (Obviously, this varies
the horse will feel as it navigates the quesfrom horse to horse.) The
tion. With this, the
faster you are going, the
The rider must carefully under- rider can then formustronger this force is and,
late a plan that will
stand the cumulative effect of
consequentially, the harder
help the horse deal
the
questions
presented
and
deit is to keep your horse in
with the situation.
cide on an approach that allows
front of your leg.
Rider position
For example, given
is also an important
the horse to read the question.
similar circumstances, a
balancing tool and
careful, looky horse will
must be used to its
need to make a slower,
full advantage--even
more engaged approached with lots of impulif one is just cantering through the water!
sion as compared to a bold and experienced
The rider must stay further back in order
horse. The careful horse needs to have adto help the horse deal with the drag on its
equate time to read and process the question
forelegs, especially on jumping down into
without falling behind the leg.
water. Most horses need more leg than
The depth of water and rmness of the
usual to stay off their forehands in water.
footing must also be taken into consideration.
Riding the water jump successfully is
Deep water or soft footing can unbalance and
one of the most thrilling aspects of the
frighten a horse--especially if the horse has been
cross-country course and one must always
ridden too fast and on the forehand.
do it in a way that builds the horses trust
Things get more complicated if there are
in its rider.
multiple jumps, especially if one must jump
Good luck, and may your breeches be
into or out of the water. You want to fordry as you gallop across the nish line.
mulate a plan which allows you to overcome
the aversion factor and still keep your horse
is front of your leg. The rider must carefully
understand the cumulative effect of the questions presented and decide on an approach
that allows the horse to read the question while
allowing the rider to keep the horse in front of
his leg, in the correct balance, and at the right
speed. For instance, you want to jump the roll
top with enough speed and power that you
dont have a stop but not so fast and at that
your horse is surprised by the second element
and the water behind it. Conversely, you dont
want to ride the log into the water so slowly
that you enter the water at too steep a trajec25

I met Nad many years ago when he was starting out with the great Greystone. Nad travelled to our farm in Pennsylvania to train many times. Nad and I hit it off instantly. He had an
interesting blend of English boarding school etiquette and manners matched with a great sense
of humor and charisma that had people drawn to him (also because he was so darn tall!).
I was always enthralled by Nads stories, especially his growing up in Pakistan and journey
to the USA. His desire and commitment to set up a new life and career in a foreign country
is truly inspiring. Added to the difculty, Im sure, was being Pakistani and trying to start up a
business in the very traditional horse world must have added to the challenge.
As any of you know, Nad had a gift for story telling. On one of Nads trips to Pennsylvania
for coaching this caught him. A big group of us were at dinner. Wayne Roycroft, my Australian team coach at the time, was visiting to coach me and had joined us for dinner. Nad was
in total awe of Wayne (because of what Wayne had achieved in his eventing life). After a few
bottles of wine the conversation got onto saddle rubs/chafng that you get as a rider during the
summer months. Most people were contributing little cures and solutions. Not to be outdone,
Nad silenced the table and said he had worked out the perfect solution: he had the whole tables
attention. After a brief pause, Nad announced that he wore Sherrys silk underwear to stop the
chafng. I think the mental picture of Nad getting dressed ready to ride silenced everyone for a
few seconds...before the whole table erupted with laughter! Nad was so embarrassed, especially
from then on as word spread and everyone asked what underwear he had on that day!
I truly feel blessed to have called Nad my friend and cherish every minute that I was lucky to
spend with him.
Phillip Dutton

Nad training with Phillip Dutton.

26

Passion should guide your life, not fear. DEFINITELY. People ask
me So are you going to stop riding the young difcult ones to
make your life easier? My answer to them is Easier has never
been the dening quality in my life choices. Worthwhile, exciting, impassioned even crazy--but never easy. Easy just gets you
back to the couch and tv and there is nothing good on anyway.

Nad and Greystone winning 2005 Red Hills CCI**

Accidents happen because people shut down. Dont do anything

half-hearted. There is no shame in knowing where your limits are keeps you safe. Its my job to take you to the next level - expect the
unexpected, nd out where your holes are - and build so you can
deal with the unexpected.

27

While it is hard to pick a favorite

story that Nad told, Goldie rises to
the top for me. Every time
we went out to a group dinner, if
there was somebody new who hadnt
heard the Goldie story, I would
inform Nad that he was required to
relay the story, again. Every time I
heard it, I would laugh until I cried,
just as I had the rst time I heard it.
In typical Nad fashion, he would add
some extra are or description to
keep the story fresh. So, Ill attempt to relay the Goldie story in rst person. If you have heard
it, I hope you hear Nads storytelling voice (softened by a few drinks) and see his animated face
and expressive ailing arms.
Jennifer Boggs

When I was at boarding school in England, there was an upcoming jumper

show with a 4 speed class. I wanted to compete, but I didnt have a horse to
ride. So I asked the headmasters of the school if they had anything I could
ride. After some consideration, they said, I could ride Goldie. Who is Goldie? I asked and was told that Goldie was a retired Grand Prix horse that was
turned out in the far eld. I was excited to hear that they were going to let
me ride a retired Grand Prix horse! So off I go to retrieve Goldie out of the eld
and get him ready for the 4 speed class. I get to the eld and there is only one
horse that is gold and when I get close to him I think, there must be some mistake. The horse I found had a butt so wide that when you stood behind it, you
couldnt see his head or any other part of him. He was the original Baby Got
Back! He was all body with short legs and built very downhill. I bring him
back to the barn, fully expecting them to tell me this is not Goldie, but to my
dismay, it is indeed. I try to tack him up and I go through 5 girths before nding one to t around his huge belly. I had better balance back then or I surely
would have slid the saddle right off that round body.
I get out to the warm up, and the instructor tells me, Hes not very t, so
you dont need to do any warm up fences, just go in the ring. Dont worry,

28

Goldie will take you around. Now Im a little nervous, but I head into the show
ring. I feel Goldie start to perk up as we head in and then the bell sounds and
Goldie takes off. Oh s*** Goldie was ready, lets do this.
I point him at the rst fence and miraculously we clear it. Then the 2nd, and
Goldie sails over it. At this point, Im feeling pretty good. Goldie can jump! He
ies around the course like a fat little jumping machine, that bubble butt catapulting him over every fence. We come around to the nal line, a triple combination set right against the side wall. I see a good shot in and Goldie jumps
his heart out over the rst fence. As he lands, I feel him going down and down
and down until Goldie is laying on the ground leaning against the side wall. My
rst thought was Oh my god, Ive killed Goldie. Then I thought, well, maybe
hes not dead, maybe hes just tired. After all, he wasnt t, so maybe he was
just taking a little nap. In a last ditch effort, I give Goldie a kick in the gut and
he pops up, then jumps the 2nd and the 3rd fence in the triple combination.
As I leave the ring, I hear the announcer say A clear round for Nadeem
Noon and Goldie!

I was going to
Richland HT event
for the rst time and
Nad thought I was
nervous (and I was a
bit) so he texted me
as soon as XC was
done to ask how it
was going. After I
told him wed gone
clean and had fun,
he responded as only Nad can: See, Michigan wasnt so scary...now you might
have the guts to go to Bromont Canada and not get freaked out. And that
place is weird, they speak French..yikes!
Shannon Prichard

29

IEA Vol 1, Issue 6

August 15, 2005

re You Ready To
Jump To
The Next Level?
Nad Noon
Moving up a level on cross-country is a decision that should come rst from the rider and
then be endorsed by the coach. One should
not move up a level because one is bored or
one wants to get home earlier or some other
equally irrelevant reason but should be rmly
rooted in the skill level of the horse and rider.
Each successive level asks new and more
complex questions of the horse and rider
both and hence you must base your decision
to move up on how well prepared you and the
horse are in answering these new questions.
Novice to Training is not a big step if you
have a horse with enough stride and scope and
the rider is fairly athletic. But, just because you
have won every novice event you entered does
not mean you are ready for Training level. First,
30

you identify and then practice the additional

skills required and when you are procient in
these skills as a team, you enter the next level.
The horse will be required to show some
trust in the riders judgment and will need to
show that it can deal with questions that come
up more quickly than at Novice. The exact
jumps one will face are in the rule book but,
from a trainers point of view, I want my horse
to be condent over ditches, hidden landings,
jumping on inclines, and he must be obedient on holding a line--bending or straight--and
over looky jumps. He must also be starting
to read what is coming up by the way he is
presented to the jumps. Your horse must be
obedient and balanced so that you can present him to the jumps in a cofn canter or a

One should not move

up a level because one
is bored or one wants to
get home earlier or some
other equally irrelevant
reason but should be rmly rooted in the skill level
of the horse and rider.

If you did not get the

meaning of the previous
sentence, you need more
experience at practicing
difcult lines.

balanced gallop for a y jump or any canter that you choose

between the two extremes. He also must have the ability to take
off comfortably from a variety of distances and hopefully has
learned to be judicious in his efforts.
The rider must know what type of canter is appropriate for
the fence or fences in question. She should be starting to be able
to communicate to the horse the type of question coming up by
the way she rides to the fence. If you did not get the meaning
of the previous sentence, you need more experience at practicing difcult lines. The rider must also be able to the let the horse
have freedom to do its job at all times while effectively guiding it
on its line and keeping the correct energy level under all conditions. The hands, upper body, and legs must be able to function
independently at all times, especially during drops and landings.
The Training level is a crucial level in developing the upper level
event horse as it provides the environment in which you can
help the horse understand the language of cross-country riding.
The decision to move from Training to Prelim is based
somewhat on how procient you are in the skills you and your
horse have been practicing at the previous level. Prelim is not
that dissimilar to Training level in that the skills required are, for
the most part, the same, but the questions are slightly harder.
The difculty level is increased by the close proximity of the
questions being asked, the need for more accurate lines, better
stride control and a deeper understanding of how your horse
jumps and performs in combinations. The horse must have
trust in the rider, be obedient, and have the ability to think for
itself. The speed and scope are a factor but not as much as the
horses the brain and rideability. The rider has to display a bit
more athleticism and balance in the saddle so as to be able to
give the horse clear signals under all circumstances but, more
importantly, to present the questions to the horse in the most
appropriate way (engine, line, and balance). The rider must
also have the ability to form a plan according to the particular
circumstances (his horses ability and his own skills).
The ability to act quickly and calmly when things dont go
according to plan is a great asset to a cross-country rider. The
experience amassed at the Training level will be a great asset to
both the horse and rider entering the Prelim level. The time
spent at the Training level is well spent.
In summary, to successfully move up to the next level, nd
someone who understands the requirements of the next level
and then have them prepare you for the new challenges ahead.
Good luck!
31

IEA Vol 2, Issue 7

August/September 2006
Reprinted with permission

eecting on
Clinics
Nad Noon
I have come to realize that without someone
knowledgeable and positive that we trust on
the ground, we sell ourselves short in how we
train and ride our horses. Let me explain.
On a day-to-day basis we tend to be too
conservative in three areas. First, we dont
set a high enough standard for our selves in
our riding and we do so by practicing easy
things only and dont risk failure and damage to
our ego. Secondly, we dont really improve our
horses like we should because it is much easier
to practice the things that are easy and make
us feel good. We might not know what needs
improvement. Thirdly, even if we do know
what needs to be tackled, we lack the courage
to open up a can of worms that we might not
32

be able to x. We smooth over things that

should be addressed and xed. We take short
cuts because we can see the results quickly
even if the results are not lasting.
In clinics, I found my eyes being opened to
all that I could be doing better. It was not that
all this was new to me but, over time, I had
lowered my standards whenever I had been
confronted with a difculty.
The moral of the story is that most of us
want to set high standards for ourselves and
our horses. However, those standards mean
nothing unless they can stand up to scrutiny by someone who is truly knowledgeable
and who does not accept mediocrity. I got a
thorough bollocking away from the eyes and

Just because one

can win at Prelim
or above it is not a
license to ignore the
lack of correctness
in ones horse or
riding.

I think the
biggest stumbling
block in the path of
good horsemanship
is our ego.

ears of my students and I must admit I truly deserved it. Lip

service to the principals is just not good enough: you must
live and die by what you know to be correct.
A second observation is that one must keep a sharp eye
on what is truly important in this journey. Most of us get
caught up in what level we are competing at and when we
can move up. Horsemanship has nothing to do with levels.
All the classes at the clinic practiced and worked on the exact
same principles with the jumps set no more than a hole or
two higher. Some upper level horses lacked being correct in
the principles more so than some starter horses. Just because
one can win at Prelim or above it is not a license to ignore the
lack of correctness in ones horse or riding. Phillip Dutton
did not seem to see the level or end potential of a horse while
giving the clinic. He seemed to just focus on the moment and
whether it was doing its job correctly and the same for the
rider. Every rider, despite differences in level and experience,
was expected to be correct and classical; your experience
or reputation did not buy you any leeway. It is the correctness
of the riding or the training that is imperative, not the level.
There are just as many incompetent riders at Advanced as
there are at Beginner Novice.
Lastly, I have come to see that the priority in our training
objectives is generally wrong. We evaluate and formulate our
training objectives from what happens at the events. If we
are low down in dressage we take dressage lessons, if we had a
rail we practice showjumping. Using one particular moment in
time to dictate our training priorities is very short sighted and
always fails. We must not keep putting patches to x the
holes. We must build a correct and solid foundation by practicing the correct principles of riding and training and not get
seduced by quick xes. Most riders who do not have reliable
and knowledgeable input from an outside source eventually
let their emotions cloud their better judgement. If you let the
competitions control your training objectives you will always
be lacking some crucial ingredient for competitive success.
I think the biggest stumbling block in the path of good
horsemanship is our ego. An honest evaluation of yourself
will, I believe, give you some insights into becoming a better
horseman or woman, which I believe (and hope) is the prime
objective for all of us.

33

I attended a winter grid lesson at Up-n-Over. It was my

rst grid lesson and I was nervous. The lesson took place in
the very wet outdoor arena. As luck would have it, my mare
Gal jumped me right out of the saddle. I tried to land on
my feet but ended up butt planting in the mud. I was visibly
shaken and very embarrassed!
When I remounted and approached the group Nad said,
Are you a gymnast? You fall like a gymnast. Maybe you
should do vaulting. Now go do it again without dismounting
please. By making me laugh he made me forget my embarrassment. I remember smiling and riding the line correctly.
Evelyn Quigley

Nad said to me in the warm up at my ponys rst show,

who at the time had a mohawk mane, It isnt fair! You
get to ride a pony AND not braid a mane! He was a great
person--funny and honest--and will be missed.
Andrea Baker

34

What I will miss most is that honest, sometimes

difcult-to-hear feedback that he would offer without
hesitation. He taught me the importance of being true
to yourself, to constantly evaluate and push to be a little
bit better, to never settle for the status quo, whether that
means asking for more reach in the trot or in life.
It is this honesty that I will miss most of all, because
it came from a place of caring and belief that we could
all be better riders.
Jennifer Boggs

My best story is from the weekend of my rst one

star. Nad walked my steeplechase with me and we
wheeled it....later to see that his wheel wasnt working! I
didnt have time to walk it again and I asked him what to
do....he said, Just go as fast as you can!
AND....I did....later, he says Holy shit, you were going
fast!
Stephanie Davis

35

IEA Vol 1, Issue 8

October/November 2005
Reprinted with permission

he Winter Jumping
Session
Nad Noon
The thrill and the drama of the eventing season is over, despite your best efforts to prolong it.
The family nally put their foot down on the idea
of a Thanksgiving trip to the Pine Top Horse Trials. They just would not buy the fact that the truck
stop on the Tennessee border is a good place to
eat Thanksgiving dinner and, no, they did not
enjoy it that much the last year.
So now what do you do? Well, it is time to
recap and recount how you did (and I dont mean
how many ribbons and goodies you have coming
your way at the annual banquet) but to realistically
evaluate your performance.
Start by recounting the goals you had set for
your partnership at the beginning of the season
and then weigh your performance in that light. (It
would be ideal if you could do this in the company of your trusted and esteemed instructor.)
Personally, I keep a running count of what I want
to improve and keep a daily log of what I do with
36

my horses. This can be very helpful in eliminating the emotional factor from our evaluations.
Start by describing your horses jumping
and general way of going in the cross-country
phase. Then add in the stadium phase, rst at
the start of the season, and then at the end of
it. Do the same start and end for each of
the other two phases. The comparison should
give you a good idea of what you have accomplished and what still needs improvement in
regard to your riding and the horses training..
It is a good idea to confer with a knowledgable
observer to see if they agree with your observations.
Generally speaking, as an instructor I
usually focus on the competition-related issues during and immediately proceeding the
competition season. This includes things like
practicing appropriate speed over jumps, riding

courses and mentally preparing riders and horses for

bringing the horse back to work as that sets the
the competition. The off season is when the real
tone of the relationship between you and your
work of improving the quality of the performance
horse. Obviously, you want to design your prois the focus. That is the time to work on improving
gram to build up the physical challenges graduthe technique of horse and rider over fences and, if
ally, but you want to develop the best possible
habits must be broken, this is the time so that new
mental attitude as well. I dont recommend a lot
habits can be formed before the pressure of compeof school work in the early days of bringing
tition is a factor.
the horse back. You should pick and choose a
This is a good opportunity to improve the horse
variety of activities to build muscle, endurance,
and riders technique over the fences and also to
and a calm demeanor as your rst priority. Then
set out a program to use in the winter months to
gradually introduce concentrated gymnastics and
improve the mental capabilities of the partnership.
dressage work. I realize that this is hard to do in
Gymnastic exercises set with
the winter when the indoor is
specic goals in mind are a
such a haven (for those not in
I
cannot
emphasize
great way to spend time in the
Florida!) but, you must brave
enough that the quality
indoor arena. Grids can be
the elements, even if it is to
used very effectively to imlong hacks at a walk.
of your performances in go for
prove the horses performance
As you get into your
the next season depends program, be ready to modify
and the riders technique and
position. I cannot emphaaccording to what you and,
entirely on a comprehen- itmore
size enough that the quality
importantly, your horse
sive and well thought out needs. There must be a balof your performances in the
next season depend entirely
ance between improving the
off-season
program.
on a comprehensive and well
horses jumping technique and
thought out off-season prodressage skills and keeping it
gram.
happy and relaxed in its mind.
After a busy and intensive show season, the
If you over-do the technical aspect of your
horses deserve a rest. Ideally, after your last event,
training program, your horse will not be mentally
the horses work load should be reduced gradually
prepared to be outside and go cross-country.
over the next two weeks and should be low key and
Identifying your rst competition in the
pleasant. Then they should be roughed out (by
spring will help clearly delineate your program.
that I mean they should be allowed to be horses as
You should be able to project--on paper--the
much as possible). The ideal conditions would be
number of lessons, cross-country schools, jump
a large eld, other horses for company, and a runschool, and tness workouts you will need to
in shed for shelter. If the footing is good and the
be absolutely ready. Work backwards from the
feet can stand it, the shoes should be pulled as well.
rst event and give yourself some extra time for
(Consult with your vet and farrier to see if there are
the unexpected delays and problems. I refrain
any special issues that can be addressed during this
from setting out a normal or average set of
rest period.)
exercises and programs as each horse and rider
If your horse was worked very hard and did a
has their particular requirements. The program
three day, then it would probably need a longer rest
must be tailored repeatedly to the situation as
period but, a month of rest is usually adequate and
you make progress.
the horses dont lose a lot of muscle tone and tness
Luck will take you so far. Hard work will take
during this period. It is a good idea to put shoes
you further. But hard work and a well thoughtback on before the ground becomes frozen and jagout plan will take you as far as you are capable of
ged in January if the horse has sensitive feet.
going.
Some considerable thought should be given to
37

The Quotes

38

Keep that Unicorns horn pointed where you want him to go.
Nad: Oh shit...I need to quit saying Oh shit.
Jayne (over a jump): Oh shit.
Nad: Oh no, now I have Jayne saying Oh shit
Shannon: No worries this is Adult Riders. We can cuss.
Put your foot on the gas pedal and keep your hands on the steering wheel.
If the gas not on, the stearing wheel does not work!
Consistency! Steady rhythm. Always keep lines of communication open.
NEVER become disconnected!
You cannot ride scared, if you ride scared that is when something goes wrong. If you are
worried about jumping something let me know and we can talk about it - that does not
mean you are not going to have to jump it.
Ride the horse, not the history!
Ride like you stole the horse!
Did you cluck? Dont do that.
Riders on Sunday at a two-day clinic: Wheres our warmup?
Nad: You warmed up yesterday.
I am ready to be impressed.
Stop looking down! Are you looking for a place to land?

and (of course)

OHHH S***!
39

One time at Flying Cross Farm, Nad sent my horse and I to jump a decent-sized pair
of houses on a wooded path (In my memory they are at least prelim fences, but memory
and time tend to inate fence sizes). I cantered off without realizing exactly how large
those houses were until we were a few strides out. Im not sure who refused rst, but my
horse and I were in total agreement that we absolutely were not jumping those fences.
I rode back to Nad and said I didnt think my horse could jump those fences even if
I wanted to, which I did not. Nad responded, You can always tell me that you dont feel
comfortable jumping a fence or that you dont want to do something ... [I vividly remember that half second feeling of surprise and relief. He wasnt going to make me do
it! I was going to get away with not doing those jumps!] But of course I wasnt getting
away with anything. He continued, ...but you presented those fences, so now you have
to jump them. Even if you dont jump them both, you at least have to do the rst one.
I steeled my nerves, suppressed a strong urge to vomit, andAMAZINGLYwe
cleared not just one but both of those fences! To this day, that may be one of my proudest moments on horseback. This is not just a funny story to me (although so many Nad
stories are funny ones), it is a story about how Nad got me to do the things that I didnt
think I could do. And that is what makes a trainer a great trainer. And the willingness to
do what we think or fear we cannot is what makes eventers eventers.
Lura Forcum

Nadeem and PowerPack

40

He was the guy that smiled, waved and said, Hey guys! as he galloped by,
waving with his bum arm that was in a sling. He was the guy that would set up a
grid that made you want to grab mane and close your eyes. He was the guy that
would be a peer to Olympic level riders one weekend, then come ride and coach at
a local schooling show the next. I will miss seeing him buzz around at all the shows,
smile while some gigantic green baby horse was bouncing sideways underneath
him and listening to him with a beer in my hand as he told stories of chariot racing
donkeys and riding wild horses. I hope he found a functioning scooter and herd of
nice horses up there.
Rachael Skirvin

41