Call To Action

RITTER DRESSAGE PRESENTS: FREE 3-Day Challenge - January 26-28, 2026

Register for FREE... and join us for an incredible training experience!

REGISTER NOW

RITTER DRESSAGE PRESENTS: FREE 3-Day Challenge - January 26-28, 2026

Register for FREE... and join us for an incredible training experience!

>REGISTER NOW<

 

 

 

 

A free 3-day challenge to help you clarify your training using structure rather than guesswork

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>> REGISTER FOR THE CHALLENGE HERE <<

A free 3-day challenge to help you clarify your training using structure rather than guesswork

* Sign up now before the Big Event begins!

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SIGN UP NOW (FREE)!
**Don't miss this chance to participate in the Golden Circle Challenge with Thomas and Shana for FREE 

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER...

YOU CAN RIDE BETTER

Yet most riders have no idea why they are doing what they are doing, and many barely know how to do what they want to do.

This challenge is designed to bring clarity to the what, why, and how of training - and to show how those three elements work together within a larger, coherent structure.

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The Golden Circle Challenge is a three-day exploration of how effective training is shaped by structure, decision-making, and underlying purpose.

You’ll begin by examining the Golden Circle principle and why order matters in training, then look at how skilled riders make better moment-to-moment decisions by understanding both the causes of problems and the specific effects of their solutions.

In the final session, you’ll be introduced to a broader training matrix that connects movement patterns, physical development, and common training challenges, offering a clear framework for understanding how and why training works.

Together, these sessions invite you to move beyond memorizing exercises and toward a more coherent, thoughtful approach to training - one that supports clarity, long-term soundness, and a sustainable, mutually-enriching relationship with the horse. 

Stop praying to the Dressage Gods for salvation.
Stop pointlessly riding in circles (literally and figuratively)...
And start  ACTUALLY addressing your and your horse's training needs...


(say Buh-Bye to confusion and frustration and hello to effective training decisions based on understanding and intention.) 

 

 

At the end of this challenge, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of….

✔ How the order of why, what, and how shapes the quality of your training

✔ Why effective training decisions depend more on understanding purpose than on collecting exercises

✔ How skilled riders diagnose problems by looking at underlying causes, not just surface symptoms

✔ How to make clearer decisions when things go wrong, without escalating pressure or creating confusion

✔ How movements and exercises function as tools with specific gymnastic effects on the horse’s mind, body, and nervous system

✔ How to choose exercises more intentionally based on what they are meant to develop or address

✔ How placing common training problems within a coherent gymnastic framework helps prevent the detours that often lead to tension, resistance, or breakdown

✔ How to recognize patterns in training rather than treating each issue as an isolated problem

✔ How clearer purpose in training leads to greater consistency, trust, and cooperation from the horse

✔ Why effective training is less about memorization and more about understanding relationships and structure

Join the January 26-28 Challenge

This 3-Day challenge is designed to bring clarity to the what, why, and how of training - and to show how those three elements work together within a larger, coherent structure.

Through three focused trainings, you’ll explore:

 

Day 1 - The Golden Circle Principle in Training: Why This Comes First


An exploration of why great riders and trainers work from the inside out, using the Golden Circle - and its parallel to the Golden Ratio used by artists like Leonardo da Vinci - to show how getting the order of why, what, and how right shapes everything that follows.

Day 2 - Decision-Making in Training: What Skilled Riders Do Differently

A look at how skilled riders make better moment-to-moment training decisions by understanding both the underlying causes of problems and the specific purpose and effect of the exercises they choose.

Day 3 - The Training Matrix: The Structure Behind Effective Training

An introduction to a gymnastic framework that connects movement patterns, physical development, and training challenges, revealing the underlying structure that allows riders to train with greater clarity, consistency, and artistry.

 

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Together, let's move beyond memorizing exercises and toward a more coherent, thoughtful approach to training
one that supports clarity, long-term soundness, and a sustainable, mutually-enriching relationship with the horse.

 

Starts January 26. Join us.

TRAIN DIRECTLY WITH THOMAS & SHANA RITTER

INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE COACH AND CLINICIAN, AUTHOR, TRAINER

Thomas Ritter has impacted the lives of more than 75,000 riders around the globe through his books, eBooks, DVDs, videos, online courses, live events, and clinics. His attention to detail, ability to troubleshoot any problem, and ability to communicate complex concepts in understandable ways have helped riders all over North America, South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Asia. Thomas is the champion of the horse and the student, and you get the fortunate opportunity to learn directly from him in this special event.

SHANA RITTER

CO-OWNER RITTER DRESSAGE, ARTISTIC DRESSAGE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

USDF Silver Medalist and wife/partner to Thomas for nearly 25 years, Shana brings her enthusiasm and perspective (and sometimes silly sense of humor 🍌 ) to complement the teaching, sharing insights and experiences.

Register for the Challenge

And get FREE Full Access to all three trainings with Thomas and Shana Ritter worth over €300

Why a CHALLENGE?

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Thomas & Shana have been teaching live challenges and workshops since 2017 — so many we’ve lost count! A Challenge is the perfect format to jumpstart your understanding, connect with other like-minded riders, and gain the perspective you need to make meaningful progress on your training goals.
 
This 3-Day Challenge is designed to bring clarity to the what, why, and how of training - and to show how those three elements work together within a larger, coherent structure.

 

Why You?

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Maybe you "know" you are supposed to work on your Dressage Training... but you don't know how or have been put off by what you have seen. 
Maybe you’ve tried to figure out your horse's training needs and maybe you just felt more confused and frustrated.
Maybe you felt like you weren't good enough and blamed yourself. 
Or maybe you just care deeply about helping your horse and are looking for a thoughtful approach to training - one that supports clarity, long-term soundness, and a sustainable, mutually-enriching relationship with the horse
This FREE challenge will give you the tools, clarity, and support to stop circling around the issue - and finally start moving forward.

 

Why Free?

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Thomas and Shana believe in the principle of paying it forward. They want to help as many horses and riders as possible, all over the world. That’s why they regularly offer free workshops and challenges — to share their knowledge and approach with riders who care deeply about the art of Dressage, the well-being of the horse, and the joy of training in alignment with classical principles.
They also believe every rider deserves the chance to get to know their potential teachers. Before committing to a more in-depth program, it’s important to feel out whether a trainer’s philosophy and approach truly resonate with you. This Challenge gives you that opportunity - no strings attached. If you love it, you’ll have the option to accept our invitation to join us for the 2026 What, Why, How course. And if not, we hope you still walk away with tools and better understanding you can use right away.

 

 

"Everyone is happier AND we make better progress"

"Through their instruction and examples, I've transformed from a skilled but driven, frustrated, rider into one who is calm, happy, and analytical in my training. Despite having had decades of excellent instruction, it took the Ritters to teach me to be calmer, more analytical, and therefore much more effective in my riding. Everyone is happier AND we make better progress. My horses and I all thank Thomas Ritter and Shana Ritter."
- Anne Z.

 

Join the FREE 3-Day Challenge NOW

"Learning and training doesn't take place in a linear form. It always involves ups and downs, detours and dead-ends. That's part of the learning and discovering what works and what doesn't work. The "bad" days, poor decisions, and "failures" are just as necessary and valuable as the good moments when we get it *right*."  - Thomas Ritter

A STELLAR MINI-COURSE!
“I suspect that in hindsight this will be the most significant step forward in my riding. I need to know not just movements and exercises but their affect on each horse, especially as I seem to collect damaged discarded horses. Until now I have been quite tentative in applying the work because I lacked the wherewithal to analyze the details. This Challenge has given me confidence and the skills to choose exercises more intelligently - and even more importantly, sympathetically. It is a stellar mini-course! Thanks a million. ”
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Ruth U-G.

 FINALLY CLICKING INTO PLACE
  “My gratitude for you guys and this course is overwhelming.  Nothing about riding has ever been explained to me like this before, and it seems that I have fallen even more in love with the concept of Dressage and may passion to learn and become better is overwhelming. Thank you guys so much for this knowledge, FREE KNOWLEDGE. It’s incredible that you are so willing to share this information and answer questions. I think things are finally clicking into place and I’m very excited to start thinking about my riding and Dressage exercises as diagnostics to improve my horse.”
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Sara C.

 BEEN SUCH A HUGE HELP
“Loving it! I have to say I have gotten so much help with my horse with your detailed explanations of what to do when and possible reasons why he got resistant. Discovering the Ritters has been such a huge help in my riding and teaching. In many cases you have confirmed my basic thoughts of what to do (I lack confidence and think I may be making things up) and in other areas, you have given me insight into why things are happening and thus help me to work through it. So grateful for this work!”
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Ann L.

 

The Challenge Daily Schedule

Mark your calendar! This Challenge will run live on January 26-28, 2026.

The trainings will include three LIVE trainings followed by a Q&A.
 

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⭐ Day 1 - The Golden Circle Principle in Training: Why This Comes First
🕛 Monday, January 26, 2026 at 6:00pm GMT
⭐ Day 2 - Decision-Making in Training: What Skilled Riders Do Differently
🕛 Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 6:00 pm GMT

⭐ Day 3 - The Training Matrix: The Structure Behind Effective Training
🕛 Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm GMT 

🏆 Scholarship** Winner Announcement
🕛 Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 6:00 pm GMT

 

“Every interaction with the horse must serve its physical and psychological well-being. Every interaction with the horse, every aid we apply, every exercise or movement we ride is a learning experience and makes the horse either better or worse.” 
- Thomas Ritter

When You Join The Golden Circle Challenge with Thomas and Shana Ritter,  You’ll Get:

✔ Access to all 3 days of live training, where Thomas and Shana will walk you through the why, what, and how of dressage training. 

✔ Practical tools and a deeper understanding that will shift how you train - so you're not just reacting to problems, but building a stronger foundation for your horse.

✔ Learn how movements and exercises function as tools with highly-specific effects, and how knowing why you choose them leads to clearer, more effective training choices.

✔ A chance to win a FREE spot in the level of your choice in our upcoming 2026 What, Why, How Course - our full-length program for riders who want to take this work further.

 

Sign up for the CHALLENGE