It's Challenge time...
New Challenge
15-29 November 2023
Join us for five days over two weeks! You will learn how to become (or develop your skills as) a Thinking Rider.
The Thinking Rider…
A thinking rider is someone who analyzes a situation in order to find out the reason why something isn't working or why the horse is making a certain mistake. Then she applies her theoretical knowledge, experience, and intuition together to come up with a solution that addresses the root cause of the problem.
🌟 Embraces training problems with a curious attitude
🌟 Knows what to look for and how to gather the most important information in order to make as accurate of an analysis as possible.
🌟 Considers the influence of their seat, aids, and attitude on the horse, and is willing to adjust their own approach in order to help the horse better.
🌟 Pauses when things aren’t working well to reflect and gather more information, rather than continuing to repeat what is not working.
🌟 Seeks to communicate with the horse in a way that simplifies for the horse so they can better understand what we are trying to do
🌟 Reflects on their rides afterwards to identify what went well, what didn’t go well, what needs to be modified or abandoned, and what can be continued and built upon.
🌟 Chooses to view the horse as a teacher in the process, rather than an order-taker who must submit to the will of the rider.
🌟 Understands that learning to ride is often about much more than just learning to ride. They see there are deeper lessons that can be learned along the way.
Sign up! (for FREE or VIP!)New and Upcoming Courses
The What, Why, How Online Course
A 4-level Program that takes you from “banging your head against the wall” frustrated to confidently understanding how to use biomechanics-based exercises and the What, Why, How Method to train your horse.
We have been teaching the What, Why, How Course for six years. In this time we have helped many, many riders realize their dreams to learn to ride in a way that aligns with their values of respect, harmony, classical principles, well-being of the horse, and relationship/connection.
This course gets results AND for 2024 it will be even better! We are remodelling the course and updating much of the teaching content.
This comprehensive online course which addresses both the horse and rider includes support, online coaching, feedback, community and has a certification process at the end.
This isn't a quick fix - the level 1 programme alone is 9-months so you can work at a sensible pace with your horse to achieve sustainable results. And as with all our courses, you'll get lifetime access to the course materials because we know that horses don't follow a timeline!
The Dressage Biomechanics Framework
Biomechanics made Practical and Actionable
A simpler, smarter, friendlier, biomechanics-based way to approach the training of your horse and FIX (for once and for all) the most pervasive problems all riders encounter in their training (without the overwhelm and frustration that eats away at your confidence and love for Dressage).
It is essential to learn NOT just the theoretical concepts, but also:
- What it means in terms of riding and training
- How (and Why) to look at the Dressage movements and requirements in terms of Biomechanics
- How to use it to accurately diagnose the origin of the problems (so you are not just chasing symptoms)
- And especially how to use it to FIX those nagging problems that keep coming back (again and again and again and again...)
Dressage Principles Based on Biomechanics - Masterclass Series
Study the core biomechanical principles behind the correct training of dressage.
Thomas and Shana Ritter have identified 12 basic training principles which have proven to be fundamental in their own riding. These principles bring dynamic life to the way they approach the training with their horses.
This NEW Masterclass Series shares with YOU these Dressage Principles.
✔ 12 month programme, with 12 monthly masterclasses
✔ Implement and experience with practical activities and exercises
✔ Discover for yourself how to apply the principles in practice
✔ Supported by the Ritter Team through an exclusive Community of like-minded riders
The Masterclass Series starts October 4th, 2023
The Ritterize Membership
The Ritterize Membership
(previously EOTM)
Infuse your Training with Ritterize - your monthly infusion of Ritter Learning. Click on the button to learn more.
December 2023:
How do I flex the hind legs?
This month's theme is How do I flex the hind legs?
Just as we like to begin the new year (next month we begin 2024, can you believe it?!?!) by setting new goals and a plan for the year ahead, it is also important to bring closure to the year by looking back on the year behind us, assessing what worked well and what didn’t, and gathering the data we will find useful for next month’s goal setting exercise.
In that light, we will be holding our annual Goal Assessments Training this month in Ritterize. We will share with you our process for evaluating all that happened in the training over the past year, assessing how we did with our goals, and making sense of all of that.
Because it is completely normal that our goals may change throughout the year. As we are confronted with new information and experiences, this can completely shift our focus. Sometimes this is a bad thing - sometimes it means we got distracted and pulled out of alignment with our values. Other times, it is a good thing - it means we stayed flexible and receptive to the changing circumstances. But how do you determine this? And how do you make peace with unachieved goals? This will be the topic of our focus this month in Ritterize.
We also will be holding a Masterclass on “How do you Flex the Hind Legs?”. Increasing the ability of the hind legs to flex and carry the weight is a central element of Dressage Training. We talk a lot about the fact that we “should” do it, but that brings up the next question: How?
We will, in our typical fashion, explore the complete What, Why, and How of flexing the hind legs. What do we mean by “flexing the hind legs”? And what does it NOT mean? Why do we want to flex the hind legs? Why is it important to the training? Why is it important to the long-term soundness of the horse? And then… how do you go about doing this - long-term and short-term… over the course of the entire training outlook of the horse and on a day-to-day basis.
Keep in mind, in January 2024 we will be holding another “Goal Setting for Riders Challenge”. This is the time to already start to think about the year ahead and assess what are realistic, yet inspiring and motivating goals to drive your learning and fuel your riding journey for the next year.
Self-Study Courses
A Course About Straightness with Ritter Dressage
Achieve Straightness as a horse-rider unit and see the benefits in everything you do in your riding!
The Straightness Course is THE course to answer all your crookedness woes!
This is a course about achieving Straightness as a horse-rider unit. This is THE course to learn the fundamental biomechanics of straightness (and its opposite, crookedness) and how it impacts everything else you do in your riding.
The Introduction to Work in Hand Course
✔ Improve your relationship with your horse
✔ Easily teach new movements to your horse
✔ Improve your horse's balance, suppleness, coordination and body-awareness
"Hands-down” the very best way to introduce your horse to the work in hand.
Learn how to do simple transitions and exercises with your horse with coordination, communication, and confidence.
Get lifetime, fully downloadable access to the training,
The Better Dressage Through Straightness Challenge Recordings
You will get...
✔️ Recordings of all the Challenge trainings and Q&As
✔️ PDF copies of the slides and horse exercises
✔️ All recordings downloadable
✔️ Lifetime access
So that you can...
✅ UNDERSTAND the problem with crookedness, and the attributes of straightness and balance
✅ learn an exercise you can use with your horse to identify your horse's stiff and hollow side
✅ UNDERSTAND how the rider can contribute to the horse's crookedness
✅ learn an exercise you can use to diagnose your own crookedness
✅ UNDERSTAND how dressage training can be used to straighten the horse
✅ learn an exercise you can use to help straighten your horse
✅ UNDERSTAND the basis of a Straightness based method of training. Training that is better for your horse's health and better for your dressage.
All of this for only €27.
The Canter Blueprint Training
Learn more about the biomechanics of the canter and create a targeted training plan for your horse.
This training is all about the canter and the pre-requisites for a quality canter.
It will help you understand:-
✔ the training principles on which the canter is built
✔ identify the KEY areas your horse needs to improve
So you can prioritize your training work and plan HOW you will approach your training from here on out so that you can HELP your horse to canter at his best.
Get lifetime, fully downloadable access to the training, plus the recordings from the Q&As we held each day for VIP members.
All of this for only €37.
The Path to Simple and Flying Changes Challenge Recordings
Learn how to train and develop your horse so that the changes become the most logical, easy thing to do.
You will get...
✔️All the recordings to the Challenge trainings and Q&As
✔️ PDF copies of the slides and horse exercises
✔️ All recordings downloadable
✔️ Lifetime access
The Challenge Proposition...
Anyone can train their horse to do simple and flying changes.
Anyone.
❌ That means you don’t have to be a professional trainer.✅ You just need to know the pathway.
Feldenkrais Courses for Riders
FeldenFit 4-Pack (BEST DEAL!):
***Scroll down the page to purchase FeldenFit 1-4 individually***
Purchase all 4 FeldenFit Programmes and get a discount!
4 x €97 = €388
Today's Price = €297 (other currencies available)
FeldenFit 1 is the original FeldenFit program with Catherine McCrum with 30 days of daily 7-15 minute lessons. Catherine uses her knowledge as a Feldenkrais teacher and blends this with her background in sport and fitness to make a flowing sequence of exercises that enhance co-ordination, agility, suppleness and effortless power.
FeldenFit2 is the follow-up program to the original FeldenFit program. Join us and Catherine McCrum for 30 more days of daily 7-15 minute lessons. Catherine uses her knowledge as a Feldenkrais teacher and blends this with her background in sport and fitness to make a flowing sequence of exercises that enhance co-ordination, agility, suppleness and effortless power.
FeldenFit 3 is a series of 30 lessons that specifically address how to take your riding to the next level. Lessons and imagery that improve your foundation and support from the ground up, movements that free your head, neck and eyes from long-held patterns of muscular contractions, experiencing how ribs that are springy and supple impact the independence of your legs and hip joints. Clarifying the wave like oscillations of the pelvis, spine and head that make riding the more dynamic gaits smooth beyond imagination. And finally 4 specific lessons to do in the saddle, or in the barn before you get on. This is truly the rider's series!
FeldenFit 4 - The Freedom Series! FeldenFit 4 is the newest addition to the program. Catherine McCrum has designed the fourth set of 30 days of daily @15 minute FeldenFit lessons specifically for riders to help you find your true essence and break free from restriction.
FeldenFit 1
The original FeldenFit program with Catherine McCrum with 30 days of daily 7-15 minute lessons. Catherine has created a flowing sequence of exercises that enhance co-ordination, agility, suppleness and effortless power.
FeldenFit 2
FeldenFit2 is the follow-up program to the original FeldenFit program. We take a deep dive into the key concepts that we introduced in our first programme and we added the requests of the course members.
FeldenFit 3
Riders will love these sessions that clarify support from the ground up. When your feet, ankles and lower legs are well-organised, you can access the potential for both mobility and stability in your centre.
FeldenFit 4
In the newest FeldenFit program, we introduce you to the theme of finding the length through the spine, finding a direction of support downwards through the legs with free hip joints, and width through the chest.
"How Can Feldenkrais Help Riders?"
A 7 day Free Challenge.
Together with Feldenkrais Practitioner, Catherine McCrum, we have put together a set of off-the-horse lessons that you can use to improve your coordination, balance, suppleness, and feel. In this challenge, you will do one Feldenkrais lesson per day. These lessons are pre-recorded so regardless of timezone or location in the world, you can do it on YOUR schedule and terms. Then, once you have completed the lesson, meet us in the Facebook group for a discussion about the lesson.
The Aware Rider Program
Parts 1 and 2. Feldenkrais with Catherine McCrum, fused with Dressage with Shana and Thomas Ritter.
What is the Aware Rider Exploration About?
How can we improve how we move ultimately with the aim of having a better relationship with our horses: One in which we can listen to ourselves as well as listen to them in such a way that they hear what we're saying. This is a conversation about the conversation we have with our horses.
