Self-Study Course now available!
However, learning the flying change does not NEED to be difficult. (hmmm....)
What comes up for you when you think of the Flying Changes?
Fear?...
Trepidation?...
Confusion?...
Anger?...
Frustration?...
Overwhelming pit of despair...
(Ok, perhaps that is a little over-dramatic!)
If this is what comes up for you, you are really NOT alone!
The flying changes are the single one movement in Dressage that separates the lower level riders from the upper level riders. When you can’t ride a clean, clear flying change, you are relegated to remain at the lower levels. No matter how nice your half passes or piaffe may become, until you master the flying changes, the upper levels are out of reach for you.
It is the one defining movement that separates the grain from the chaff (so to speak).
So, until you and your horse can do a flying change (clean, balanced, and smooth) you are limited in your ability to climb up the levels.
But what if your horse can do a flying change, it’s... just… not very good?
Because, in Dressage it isn’t just about DOING it any old way, it is about doing it well.
It is about QUALITY, so in a correct flying change we expect to see that the horse remains on the aids, that the change is “clean” and “through” meaning the front legs and hind legs change in the same stride (not on their own schedule, not late behind, and not late in front), that the horse is STRAIGHT (and doesn’t swing around like a flopping fish out of water), and that the horse stays balanced and “through” (he doesn’t invert or hollow).
Or what if, even worse... your horse has completely the WRONG idea about the flying changes?
Perhaps he gets tense and tightens up
Perhaps he anticipates
Perhaps he runs away in the changes (or afterwards)
Or perhaps he inserts a trot step or two
...and never actually does a FLYING change.
So, if you have any of these problems, how have you been trying to fix them?.
🙈 Trying the same methods (in hopes that eventually it will work)...?
🙈 Practicing over and over (which just confirms the mistake, actually)...?
🙈 Drilling them (which makes your horse - and you - more anxious and stressed about them. Now you have a bigger problem than you started with!)...?
I bet you did not know that there are 12 different methods (or roads, as we refer to them) to the flying changes.
What works for ONE HORSE does not necessarily work for another.
That is why it is so important to have many possible ways you can approach the training of the flying change with your horse, so you can find the one(s) that work best for your individual horse (because your horse is not a machine. He is a living, breathing animal who needs to be treated as such).
In fact, with this system, you can lead the horse gently down the path toward the flying change so that it actually becomes the horse’s idea to do the change.
Yes, you can set it up so that the horse WANTS to do it, so that it feels good to him, and he thinks it is HIS idea (meaning it becomes a good experience for him, not stressful or traumatic).
THIS approach lays the very BEST foundation for the future training of the horse. You cannot train tempo and tempi changes (changes every 4, 3, 2, and single stride) if you still have tension and anxiety from how the flying changes were introduced in the beginning.
Not only are these 12 roads ingenious for introducing the horse to the flying changes, but these 12 roads become 12 strategies you can use to help FIX problematic changes.
When you can identify and address where the problem lies in the horse’s gymnastic development or mental understanding, you can approach it in a way that lays it out for him, simple step by simple step, so that he calmly builds his agility and comprehension in a way that gives him (and you) the confidence to repair and rebuild the flying changes.
There is this myth out there that many Dressage trainers like to perpetuate and I want to put a stop to it right now.
They tell you that you cannot train your own horse to do the Flying Changes.
I say Bull #$@&%*!
This is a LIE that students are told because the trainer either:
- Doesn’t believe in the student’s ability to learn,
- Doesn’t know how to teach the student adequately, or
- Wants the student to put the horse in training because that is where the money is for the trainer (There. I said it.)
The truth is that any rider can learn
and yes, even with a horse that has never done them.
Sure, it is EASIER to train your horse to do the flying changes if you have already ridden them on a trained horse before.
BUT if you haven’t, it is NOT impossible. It will just take a little bit longer, takes a little more preparation and patience, and takes a lot more attention to detail and understanding (but that is what you want, right?).
Wait... I should tell you a bit about us before we go any further. We are Thomas and Shana Ritter.
We now live in Portugal having moved here in early 2020. Thomas is an International Dressage Clinician, teaching all over Europe, the United States, and Canada. Shana is an FEI competitor, USDF Silver Medalist, and developer of the Artistic Dressage Online Course Program.
We have spent our lives researching and diving in deeper. We have studied the biomechanics. We have extensively studied the classical equestrian literature. We have ridden with many of the great classical masters of our time. We have distilled our years and years of learning down into a system which is straight-forward and gives you actionable, concrete tools to make real change in your riding.
You may have already encountered our methods in our books, through our Facebook Lives, free challenges, or other online courses. Thomas wrote about his complete biomechanics-based system in his books, “Dressage Principles based on Biomechanics” (Cadmos Press, 2011) and “Long Reining: From the Beginning through the Levade” (Cadmos Press, 2014).
If so, then you already know that a clear, logical system that is based on the scientific functioning of the horse’s body (biomechanics) as well as the way the horse interprets information and understands the training process (psychology) is not only completely congruent with classical principles, but it is humane and produces happy horses who stay sound for many, many years.
We have seen it time and time again in our own students both in one-on-one lessons in clinics all over the United States, Canada, and Europe and in our online courses and coaching programs (students from all over the world!).
It is completely doable. This stuff is figureoutable!
You just need a clear, step-by-step system so that you know what you are doing, why you are doing each and every thing, and how exactly to do it.
It is a clear, repeatable recipe that time and time again, produces clean, reliable, confident flying changes in a way that completely bypasses the stress, the intimidation, and the problems that end up as long detours or even dead-ends.
And it sure helps if, along the way, you have someone you can turn to who can help you decipher the feedback you are getting from the horse, to make sure YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH and you are doing it the best way possible for your horse.
Training the Flying Changes Online Course
The 12 Roads to Bold, Brave, and Confident Flying Changes
You. Your Horse. Train the Flying Changes TOGETHER.
The Perfect Step-by-Step DIY Method for Riders who want to break through the confusion, overwhelm, and stress of navigating how to train the flying changes.
With our logical, biomechanics-based system, you can gently and confidently lead your horse down the path to the flying changes. By following this system, you work with your horse to build the requisite gymnastic skills as well as the mental understanding and confidence so that the flying changes become simply easy and straight-forward for both you AND your horse. (Like the easiest thing in the world! Really!)
You’ll learn:
THE BIOMECHANICS
For many riders, it isn't enough to just be told to ride a flying change. You want to know how it works. You need to UNDERSTAND the biomechanics before you can actually DO it.
RIDING EXERCISES
You will learn an assortment of exercises which build the SKILLSETS for you and your horse that you need for the flying changes. These exercises improve the engagement, balance, straightness, suppleness, and responsiveness of the horse.
TIMING OF THE AIDS
Give your aids at the exact timing that will have the best influence on the horse (so you’re not just wildly guessing and hoping for the best <- which is never a recipe for success).
UNDERSTAND THE METHOD
There is a method to the madness, and you will see behind the curtain how it is done. You will learn how to distinguish where your horse needs improvement in order to develop the flying changes, and you will learn how to pick the best path forward for your individual horse.
USE LATERAL MOVEMENTS AS TRAINING TOOLS
Learn the actual real FUNCTION and PURPOSE of the lateral movements (shoulder-in, haunches-in, renvers, counter shoulder-in, half pass, pirouettes) and how you can use them to HELP your horse become straighter, sounder, stronger, and more supple. (no more riding around without having a clue)
SPECIAL MOVEMENTS
Use the Old Masters' secret tools of the Full Pass, Plié, Pirouette Renversée, Mill exercise, and Zigzags to supple and strengthen your horse more effectively (so that you always have a variety of tools in your toolbox, because more tools means you are less likely to run out of possible solutions)
TROUBLESHOOTING
Troubleshoot any crookedness problem , analyse any situation (so that you can eventually be your own trainer and figure out solutions to any problem you or another ride may have)
BUILDING BLOCKS
Experience how each exercise can build upon previous exercises to create an immersive experience for your horse which MAKES SENSE to him. (so you can prepare the horse for anything you want to do by building the horse's understanding with these building blocks)
FELDENKRAIS LESSONS
NEW addition for the 2020 course! Periodically throughout the course, you will be given the opportunity to supplement your horse riding education with Feldenkrais lessons which help you, as the rider, to learn better body awareness, coordination, flexibility, and control. Taught by Feldenkrais Practitioner, Catherine McCrum, you are in for a treat. These will be a mixture of pre-recorded and live lessons held online.
HOW TO USE THE SEAT & AIDS
Correctly use the weight, seat, and aids (no more confusing the horse with contradictory aids which just cause the horse to tune out or worse, get confused or angry)
I have seen profound change
"I have seen a profound change in my horse. He came to me from a bad background and had to be retrained and his temperament is to always try too hard for his rider. This led to a "fragility" or tension in his work. Thanks to riding your exercises, I have a horse who can now do tempis (up to the 2s). We aren't quite ready for ones yet, as well as a horse who is so much more relaxed about his work. He no longer tenses when he or I make a mistake. A friend rode him for me the other day and she could just sit down and ride, not nurse him or pay attention to his tension or likes and dislikes. Just to ride and to see him respond like a horse with no bad past was one of the most emotional things I have witnessed with him. Flying changes now are an 'I CAN', instead of 'I might or I think.' "
- Mandy Schroder, South Africa
"Not a mystery anymore."
"Now I see it (the flying changes) as something I can accomplish. It's not such a mystery anymore. I understand the bio-mechanics of the movement and know how to achieve it."
- Sandy Morrissette-Kern, USA
A journey towards the changes
"Before I "met" the Ritters the changes were some that sort of floated within my philosophy and vision of the training. I had to establish my counter canter until it actually discouraged training, get the simple changes absolutely smooth and be able to send the canter forward and back and then I could try the changes. There was no real flow into how to ask for the changes and each trainer had his/her pet theory about how to do it and they seem quite reluctant to deviate from that. Thomas proposes a far more gradual and continuous training program for the changes which leads both horse and rider on a journey towards the changes while both horse and rider gain the skills needed. This is far more consistent with how I train other movements and I believe that it will make both my ability to ride and train the changes more solid and reliable."
- Caroline Duff-Riddell, South Africa
A Sneak Peak...
2 Bonus Modules
🆕 Tempo Changes
Strategies for riding and training tempo changes
🆕 Flying Changes at the Longrein
How to train your horse to do the Flying Changes while at the longrein
Each Module is broken down into instruction AND exercises.
Each week you get new exercises you can implement into your riding program. These exercises are designed to give you and your horse the understanding and the tools you need to develop your horse's flying changes. You get a combo of PDFs and videos to learn each exercise.
This is a course about learning through implementation...
not just learning the theory.
👉 Biomechanics-based Video Instruction (Theory and practical application)
👉 PDFs with Graphic illustration of the exercises with elaborate instructions. Often with checklists so you know what to watch for when riding the exercises.
👉 Feldenkrais Lessons which address the rider's awareness, asymmetry, coordination, suppleness, and core strength.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
The Perfect Step-by-Step DIY Method for Riders who want to break through the confusion, overwhelm, and stress of navigating how to train the flying changes.
The best part? The Flying Changes are actually just the icing on the cake! Because what you REALLY get is a supple, responsive, and balanced horse.
The Flying Changes are actually just the result of training work which develops the horse’s understanding, coordination, awareness, balance, and ability to respond quickly to your aids.
This course addresses BOTH THE HORSE AND THE RIDER. This course develops your understanding through:
- theory lessons which demystify and clarify the core central issues
- gymnastic exercises you can ride with your horse
- Feldenkrais lessons for the rider to address the rider's crookedness, improve spatial awareness, proprioception, and coordination.
BIOMECHANICS THEORY
Biomechanically-based theory components which explain the biomechanics of the canter and flying changes, as well as how both affect the horse's body and the entirety of the dressage training. The theory is designed to give you the understanding so that when you ride the exercises, you know what each one is supposed to accomplish and why. Each theory lesson builds upon the previous module, but they can also be used as a reference library.
GYMNASTIC EXERCISES
Each module has several biomechanically-based gymnastic horse exercises which correspond to the theory instruction, so you are are able to immediately apply the theoretical lessons into your riding, and experience first-hand how they work. Each exercise comes with a PDF with complete instructions outlining what to do, why to do it, and how to do it.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS AND RIDING DEMONSTRATIONS
Each horse riding exercise is accompanied by an instructional video in which we expand upon the material in the exercise PDF, showing you where the problem spots are in the exercise and how to address the various problems that can come up while riding it.
RIDER DEMO VIDEOS
NEW Footage of the Ritter Assistant Instructors riding the exercises with Thomas' commentary. This is one of the most important parts of the course because we know so many riders learn best by SEEING the exercise being ridden, and also because there is no better way to understand the gymnastic influence on the horse than to see it in action. You can learn through watching what to do, what not to do, and how to correct the mistakes that commonly occur.
FELDENKRAIS LESSONS
Throughout the course, you will be given the opportunity to supplement your horse riding education with Feldenkrais lessons which help you, as the rider, to learn better body awareness, coordination, flexibility, and control. Taught by Feldenkrais Practitioner, Catherine McCrum, you are in for a treat. These will be a mixture of pre-recorded and live lessons held online.
LIFETIME ACCESS
Your access to the course materials never expires! You never lose access to your course materials, as long as we are alive and able to support the course platform (and we hope that is a very, very long time). That means that you can work as fast or as slow through the materials as you wish. That means that if you get sick, tired, injured - you can pause at anytime and come back to it whenever you and your horse are ready for more. It will always be there for you, and so will we.
You will also learn...
🔸 When to start Flying Changes
🔸 The Footfalls of the Canter
🔸 The Timing of the Aids in the Canter
🔸 How to feel all 3 phases of the canter stride
🔸 The pre-requisites for the Rider to be able to do Flying Changes
🔸 The pre-requisites for the Horse to be able to do Flying Changes
🔸 Strategy & Psychological Approach for training Flying Changes
🔸 Rider Exercises
🔸 How to prepare the horse for the Flying Change so you set him up for success
🔸 Preliminary Exercises for the Horse
🔸 How to use the Seat and Aids in the Flying Change
🔸 About Seat Mistakes that happen in the Flying Changes
🔸 Troubleshooting the Flying Changes
🔸 How to address mistakes in the Flying Changes: Late Behind, Late in Front, Not through behind, Crooked Change, Downhill Change, Horse runs away after the flying change, Trot Step, Inverting, Sucking Back, Changing one or two strides after the aid, Getting tense, Anticipating the Flying Change, No change, and the Climbing Change.
🔸 12 Methods (called "Roads") to the Flying Change with Exercises for each method
What’s Inside the Flying Changes Self-Study Course Package...
The complete course with the 12 Roads Method to training the Flying Changes (value €1400)
The complete Flying Changes course with all of the Theory, Gymnastic Exercises, Strategy, and Trouble-Shooting breakdowns including Ridden Demos of Thomas and the team of assistant trainers. Lifetime access to all of the materials. Videos, audio files, PDFs.
Flying Changes Course Completion Certificate (value priceless)
When you complete the Flying Changes course, this is something to celebrate and deserves recognition. When you finish the completion process including the assessments at the end of the course, we will send you a personalized Completion Certificate, signed by Thomas and Shana.
BONUS Recordings Bundle (value €150)
The video and audio recordings of a selection of our Facebook Live discussions. Topics include: 3 Common Mistakes in the Flying Changes, The Seat and the Aids in the Flying Change, The Biomechanics of the Flying Change, Moving up the levels depends upon mastering the basics, How to improve the quality of the gaits, Fixing the Flying Changes, Flying Changes vs. Counter-Canter: Which one should your horse do first?, and The top mistakes riders make in the Flying Changes. You also get recordings of three coaching sessions Dr. Ritter gave to Assistant Instructor, Caroline Duff-Riddell on the topic of working on issues around the Flying Changes.
Feldenkrais Lessons for the Mobility of the Rider (value €700)
14 Movement lessons designed to improve your mobility. Mobility of the rider is a huge prerequisite for the Flying Changes, so this set of lessons have been designed specifically to help the rider improve her ability to shift her weight, move her hips and pelvis smoothly, and shift her ribcage equally well in each direction. Most of these lessons are specific to this course and are not available anywhere else.
2 Bonus Exercises for Canter Preparation (value €30)
We added two bonus exercises which can help you prepare for the best quality canter.
Bonus Module on Flying Changes at the Longrein. (Value €150)
Bonus Module on How to train your horse to do the flying changes while at the longrein, including strategy, problem-solving, and specific techniques applicable to training the horse at the longrein.
Bonus Masterclass on Flying Changes at the Longrein. (Value €150)
Recording of a very special 2-hour Masterclass Training from 2020. We give an overview of how to train your horse to do the flying changes while at the longrein, including strategy, problem-solving, and specific techniques applicable to training the horse at the longrein.
Bonus Module on Tempo Changes (Value €150)
Bonus Module on how to introduce, ride, and train the tempo changes including strategy, problem-solving, and specific techniques utilising the biomechanics building blocks introduced in the course.
Bonus Masterclass on Tempo Changes (Value €150)
Recording of a very special 2-hour Masterclass Training from 2020. We give an overview of how to introduce, ride, and train the tempo changes including strategy, problem-solving, and specific techniques utilising the biomechanics building blocks introduced in the course.
The Flying Changes Self-Study Course
✯ 12 modules of course content (Valued at €2400)
And a few bonuses:
✯ Bonus modules on Flying Changes at the Longrein and Tempo Changes, (Valued at €150)
✯ Bonus Masterclasses on Flying Changes at the Longrein, Tempo Changes, and the Full Pass (Valued at €330)
✯ BONUS 2 Bonus Exercises for Canter Preparation (Valued at €30)
NO Q&As. NO Hot Seats. NO access to the Facebook Group.
Total Value = € 2959 ($3222 USD)
Self-Study Fee = €397 ($445 USD)
We have multiple payment and currency options, so you can choose what works best for you and your current situation.
A spontaneous decision that has permanently changed my approach.
"I made a huge leap of faith when I invested in this course, having no experience of how one can learn dressage online. I have been astonished - in a good way - at the depth of information, at Thomas' ability to explain a physical sport through understandable science, and at the improvements in me. It was a spontaneous decision that has permanently changed for the good my approach to dressage, and my horses' benefit from it. Thanks to this course, now I know what I am doing in one aspect of my training!"
- Jacky Davies (Alberta, Canada)
I gained confidence in my horse and my riding.
"The main thing I'm taking out of this for myself is self-awareness. Also I was pushed out a little of my comfort zone and due to the very positive feedback here, I gained confidence in my horse and my riding. Instead of feeling like 'I'll probably never get it right', I feel now, 'It might take some time and practice, but I CAN DO IT!'."
- Verena Fuchs, Portugal
I now see it as a process.
“I now see Flying Changes as more of a process, several steps leading up to the actual event, than as just a magical explosion (which I really think was how I used to view it before, some magical fairy dust and BAM! Flying lead change!). Now I see what has to happen with my horse's body and mine before a Flying Change can be successful, at least consistently."
- Callay Findlay Danford, USA
Not Sure about this whole thing?
We hope you will love this course as much as we do. We want you to LOVE this course. You will have a full 30 days to see if this course is right for you. If it doesn’t resonate with you, just let us know and we will refund your money. No hassles. No hard feelings.
The flying change does not need to be difficult.
It should not cause the horse or the rider nervousness or anxiety and can actually be easy - if you prepare your horse systematically for the task, allowing him to discover the possibility of changing leads for himself.
In this course, we will share with you the process that leads the horse in a logical fashion, step by step, to the discovery of the flying change.
There is no mystery, no secret to it.
Anybody can learn it.
It’s just a matter of building a staircase of small steps for the horse that teaches him the necessary understanding, body awareness, suppleness, so that nothing is preventing him from changing leads.
Sign up and discover the joy of Flying Changes (not to mention all the other things you will get: a more balanced, straighter, more supple horse!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are some horse just UNABLE to learn a Flying Change?
Most horses, unless unsound, can learn the Flying Change. In such a case, we recommend you discuss with your veterinarian. However, if your horse has soundness issues that interrupt the learning process, you will find that the exercises in this course will still improve every aspect of the horse's training.
Can you guarantee that my horse will learn it in this course?
Of course, it would be impossible for us to guarantee something that is so far outside of our control. No true, compassionate and experienced horse person would do that.
What if my horse is not ready for the Flying Change?
Even if your horse is not ready to do the flying changes yet, the exercises in this course are proven to make the horse much rounder, straighter, and more “through”. If you go into the course with that outcome in mind, then you will find that you are giving your horse the skills and balance he needs, even if he needs more than 21 weeks to learn the actual changes. Just keep using the methods in this course, building upon what you gain in the 21 weeks, and you will achieve success.
What level is this course appropriate for?
You and your horse should be ready for, or close to ready for, the flying changes. Young, untrained, and newly started horses are not suitable (there are other courses more suitable for lesser trained horses). Unsound horses are not suitable (first work on improving your horse's soundness with our other courses). You and your horse should be already acquainted with riding lateral movements, however if you have no experience with them but an open mind and curiosity to learn (and understand that your process is going to be a longer one than others in the course), you'll do fine.
How does an online course work? Do I need to be sitting at the computer at a set time on certain days?
Distance learning is really set up so that you can make it work for your schedule. Each week you will get a new module of information for that week. In that module you will find a selection of videos and PDF files. You can watch these on your own timeline, or even download them for offline viewing. The PDFs contain the instructions for the riding exercises. There are instructional videos where we explain in greater detail how to ride the exercise, what you are looking to attain in the exercise, and how to deal with any problems that may arise while riding the exercise.
What type of horse and rider is this course appropriate for?
We try to be all-welcoming . That means if you want to learn, we will do our very best to teach you... regardless of what kind of horse you have, what kind of tack you ride in, and what kind of background you have. We have course members with Icelandics, Welsh Cobs, Saddlebreds, Ponies, etc. as well as the more common dressage breeds. We welcome riders from all backgrounds, NOT just dressage riders - jumpers, eventers, western riders, natural horsemanship, working equitation, trail riders, etc.
What type of tack / equipment do I need?
A horse to ride, relatively level space to ride in (arena with adequate footing is recommended but our course members have had success even without a standard "arena" to ride in). Not required but recommended: a video camera to record your rides, arena markers and cones to make precise figures. If you cannot purchase these, we highly encourage you to make your own. Be creative!
You should also have an internet connection and a computer or other device with which to access the course materials and Facebook group.
You do not even need a dressage saddle. We have participants who do the course in their western tack. We even have participants who do most the exercises on the ground in-hand or at the long-rein. The beauty of it all is that you can adapt it to your situation and your needs with your horse. We will support you wherever that may be.
Cones and arena markers are recommended, but not required.
What if I can't keep up?
This is a self-study course. You can do this course at ANY pace. You do not need to keep up with the pace that the course contents are released. You have lifetime access to the materials and the Facebook group, so you can work through the materials at your own pace. You CAN and SHOULD follow what is right for you and your horse.
What if I am not riding right now? What if my riding is interrupted by illness or injury part way through the course?
We have instructors who no longer ride take the courses and they use the exercises with their students. We have had people recovering from injuries, etc. take the courses. We have had people stop partway through and pick it back up again later. It is not a problem. These are your materials to do with as you wish - work through them at a pace that works for you. Learn the theory first and apply the riding exercises later, etc.
How do I join?
Easy. :-) Click this button for the payment options.
Have questions or payment problems?
Email us at [email protected] .
Sandra: How to Learn to Ride from an Online Course
Sandra Schindlbacher shares her story about how she and the Lipizzan gelding she rides were mostly not working well together. In her words: “There were a lot of conflicts and fights.” Things were not working out well and she knew she needed to change something, but she thought that there was nothing that could make it better. She shares what she first thought when she heard about our What, Why, How online course… “How should I learn riding from an online course?!” She really didn’t think it was possible. But she was desperate so she decided to give it a try. Well!!!! She goes on to show you the exercise that she found helped her the most. She shares how the canter, in particular, is much better than it was before the course and she says her trot now is in no comparison to the trot she had before the course… it is smoother, lighter, softer in the hand… “There is no comparison in the feeling!”
Watch the video! She shares even more about what the biggest improvement was for her, the horse, and their relationship to the work and each other.
See you on the inside...
Secure your spot now and we will see you in the course!