Rising Trot Mastery

What Previous Course Members Say:

“The Ritter courses have given me my confidence back. A year ago, I was almost ready to give up and just be an owner and find someone who could ride my horse. We were stuck in a cycle of 1 step forwards 2 steps back in our training. I felt over-horsed and completely inadequate. A year later I feel so much more empowered and my relationship with my horse is so much better.  I enjoy riding again and I know that he and I are on the right path, and I’ve found the right community of people to help us succeed. 😊” - Katharine Trevelyan

“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 Zahradnik

“These course and the daily feldenkrais work has helped me to become looser and more aware and that has changed a lot for me. The horses really like it.  Finally, after two years or more of "feeling" vulnerable, I no longer feel vulnerable. I feel uplifted and good about where I am, safe, secure and supported.” - Sharon Gallagher

"Since December 2017, I’ve learned so much compared to the last 4 years. I wish I found you guys earlier. Onwards & upwards, I cannot suggest your courses highly. Fellow riders at the livery asked what I’ve done as I improved so much.”- Juanita Burt

“It is amazing how much I learned in the online course. So much more detail about theory then is able to be addressed in a ridden lesson. LOVED it!” - Amy Barnes

“The Ritters’ courses are amazing. I cannot recommend them enough.”
- Fran Griffith

“For all the ones still unsure about this course. I did the other Ritter courses and learned so much! It was an eye-opener for my riding and it helped my horse a lot! Also great is the private Group Community. I Love them all. You get nice comments to your Videos or questions. Everybody is Happy for your improvements. 😊 I am so looking forward to the new course 😀😀”
- Eva Läbe

“This is the best on line learning site I have found and love the Ritters deep dive into biomechanics of dressage. Little by little pieces are starting to fall into place. Thank you to the whole team for all that you do , sharing your knowledge, and being grounded in classical dressage.” - Cindy

“I really can’t get enough of the Ritter approach… at this point it is the BEST coaching & goal/objective setting program. After 4yrs, it is now how I think and feel and ride my horses. So - why not! I’ve done a number of Beta classes and love the concept of being immersed in it forever.”- Tracy Farrell

“I feel exactly like you do - I am quite frustrated that I have to relearn all this as an older adult - I have actively sought knowledge over my riding career and it was actually my inability to do a clean/ consistent flying change left to right that was the catalyst for me. I kept saying I was doing something fundamentally wrong but no-one could tell me what that was, a lot of yelling and me just feeling like a terrible rider. What I have learned so far has been amazing, it’s a work in progress but I now feel possibilities not barriers. I also feel like every ride is a gift where I learn something new and find a new gem of wisdom in the practical, not just the theory. I love this community as it’s like I have found my people and I am not alone in my thoughts or journey!!” - Tracey Johnston

“I have done most Ritter courses and love the teaching style. Thomas and Shana are amazing at getting into the reason of everything, the Why. They have helped me to decode what I feel at the end of the rein. Now any contact issues are simply information about the horse's body and as soon as I fix the cause the contact is back to being fab.” - Morgan Laura Osborne

"I love the combination of theory, mental images and horse exercises. The Feldenkrais lessons are awesome to create body awareness and uncover the rider's own stiffness and crookedness that reflects on the horse. I think my riding has improved quite a bit and I'm more confident solving problems as I've more tools in the box now.”  - Verena Fuchs

“You won’t be sorry if you enroll. The Ritters’ courses are so detailed and they allow you to ask the questions you were afraid to ask. You can send videos of your problem areas and get personal instruction. You will find so much support and a community of fellow riders to develop lasting friendships all over the world. It’s really a no brainer to at least try the course because if you don’t feel it is right for you, they give you your money back and without any hesitancy or shame. The Ritters are genuine and are really interested in you succeeding. I have taken several of their courses and am an alumni for this one. I have definitely seen progress in both me and my horse. I love that they put attention on the horses faults in addition to the rider. Most of the time I always felt like I was to blame and the horse was an angel saint. Not anymore. They give you tools to figure out what is wrong and how to fix it and give you lots of options. I still struggle with some concepts so don’t despair if you feel overwhelmed. It keeps getting better. So take the course, there is nothing to lose but much to gain.” - Marci Handley, Creekside Farm

“Having started riding somewhat later in life than most others (and with an older horse that had never experienced "dressage principles" and was at times a snorting, spooking dragon), the Ritter courses helped me to understand my horse and myself so that we were able to form a solid foundation to our partnership.  Whether it was mentally, spiritually or physically, the courses’ path encompassed it all.  From the dressage teachings by Thomas Ritter and Shana Ritter to the wonderful and eye-opening Feldenkrais exercises by Catherine McCrum and Charlotte Rhonwen Zetterberg...wow!  It is an experience of a lifetime that you do not want to miss out on regardless of what discipline you are in.  I can't wait to keep moving forward now with so much more confidence in my own abilities as a rider and with a horse (the same one) that has become so much more comfortable in his own skin that our partnership has blossomed and flourished.  I no longer have a snorting spooking dragon beneath me but rather a horse that is both confident and more assured than he has ever been.  We truly do mirror each other in that way thanks to all we have learned through being Ritterized.” - Babs Hamilton

“The courses are motivational and give structure as well as being supportive and fun. Lots of positive energy in the group.” - Eldur Saudadalsa

“For all of you who are still doubting to sign up - just do it. It can be life changing in your riding journey. I was member of the first beta-course and learned so much. Going a second time through it made the foundation and understanding even deeper. So for me it was a 10-second decision to also sign up for the upcoming course about horse and rider.” - Nan Brünig

“The first beta course turned our lives around. My funny little horse is complicated - so many call him naughty... but working through the course has totally changed everything! Ritterizing both of us gave me a better understanding of what was going on with him, and gave us a road map to a better way.. We just graded up ... again.... and first show on Saturday - so keen to see if we can apply to it all in a show setting!” - Dawn Gray

“I think I've been in every online course the Ritters have offered. Every course has been invaluable in training my horses. Even my gaited horses have benefited from the information and exercises in these courses. The feedback and support from the Ritters and group members adds so much to the course material. The theory and details given have taught me to think through problems and choose the right path for each individual horse. No cookie cutter training here.” - Sandy Kern

“Besides the course material, this is THE most supportive, encouraging, warm group of equestrians you will ever encounter in your horsemanship journey. It truly doesn't matter where you're at in your horsemanship journey, EVERYONE is welcome and treated with respect. <3 My FAVORITE part about the way the Ritters structure their courses is that you can tweak practically every principle and exercise they present to suit the individual needs (and limitations) of you and your horse.” - Laura Comotto