Dr. Thomas Ritter
International clinician and author, Dr. Thomas Ritter teaches a variety of students from all walks of life, with one common passion - a love for classical horsemanship.
Training:
Dressage Training is good for EVERY horse. Ritter Dressage welcomes all breeds, levels, disciplines, and riders. Dressage is even beneficial for western horses, as well as jumpers, and endurance horses. Classical Dressage training is an approach that treats the horse holistically - training the Mind, Body, and Spirit of the horse. Thomas and Shana feel that one’s training should always stem from a deep love and respect for the horse, so they take special care to give each horse the individual attention and focus that they deserve and need in order to fulfill their complete potential.
Exhibitions and Competitions:
Dr. Thomas Ritter believes that classical Dressage is simply Correct Dressage. Dr. Ritter and his wife, Shana have successfully competed a variety of horses (of a variety of breeds including Lipizzans, Andalusians, and Wambloods) through the Dressage Competition Levels, from Training Level through FEI.
Dr. Ritter and Shana enjoy sharing their passion for Classical Riding by performing in Exhibition Performances. They have performed at the Northwest Horse Expo, Andalusian Nationals, and at a variety of horse shows and related events. In keeping with the tradition of one of his teachers, Egon von Neindorff of the Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2006, 2007, and 2008 Dr. Ritter and his wife put together a two-hour Open House Exhibition Program which featured a wide-range of performance "acts" including a quadrille, pas-de-deux, piaffe in the pillars, a musical freestlyle solo, a longrein solo, and more.
Lessons:
Thomas Ritter’s teaching is eloquent and articulate. His practical knowledge is deeply grounded in classical theory. In addition to many hours spent in the saddle, he has studied many of the texts of the Old Masters, in numerous languages, which has given him a wealth of theoretical knowledge to back-up his practical exercises and techniques. In his teaching, he also speaks from personal experience, sharing with students the pitfalls and observations he has made along the way. He takes his teaching very seriously, and strives to help each student achieve his/her personal best. Through lessons both on the longeline and off, he focuses on the development of a supple, swinging, yet toned seat and the understanding of the biomechanics of the horse including teaching the rider to distinguish the footfalls of the horse in order to coordinate the rider’s aids. Dr. Ritter helps the student to understand the training process, by teaching how the horse’s body parts work together, how various gymnastic exercises help to supple and strengthen the horse, and how and when to use which remedy for each particular horse. He welcomes riders, of all levels, who are ready to learn a holistic approach to the training of the horse.
Clinics:
Dr. Ritter has been teaching clinics throughout the United States and Internationally since 1998. Thomas and Shana Ritter teach regularly at a variety of clinic locations in the United States, Canada, and Germany.
Spreading the spirit and knowledge of classical horsemanship through his clinics, he continues to grow an ever-growing and enthusiastic following. His students range from those who wish to simply learn to ride better in order to improve the relationship with their horse, to competition riders with strong aspirations and a drive to do well and succeed. To view his complete upcoming clinic schedule, visit our Calendar of events.
Workshops and Riding Vacations:
Dr. Ritter frequently welcomes students to visit and take riding vacations and study classical dressage. Students can either bring their own horse(s) for the experience, or if this is not feasible, they are welcome to take their lessons on several well-trained schoolhorses available.
Writing:
Thomas enjoys writing articles about dressage, and his articles have been published in a variety of publications, including:
Dressage Today - February 2009 Cover Photo and Feature Article, August 2008 Feature Training Article as well as several "Ask The Experts" and "What I Wish I Knew Then" column contributions
Cavallo Magazine - a German Riding Magazine
Dressage Connection
Dressage Video Monthly (video interview)
Horses Incorporated Magazine
Horse of Kings: Magazine for Baroque Horse Enthusiasts
Andalusian: Magazine for the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association
Flying Changes: Magazine for Northwest Sporthorse Enthusiasts
Topline Ink: a grassroots publication along the lines of the old Dressage & CT.
The Classical Dressage Journal
as well as a variety of G.M.O. and Riding Club newsletters and magazines in the United States, throughout Europe, and in Australia and New Zealand.
Many of these articles have been reprinted on this website. Be sure to check out the articles as well as the Question and Answer Forum.
Credentials and Background:
Dr. Thomas Ritter has studied Dressage in Germany and in the United States under some of the Greatest Masters of our time including:
- Egon von Neindorff - of the highly esteemed classical riding institution, Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff in Karlsruhe, Germany
- Thomas Faltejsek - senior student of Egon von Neindorff
- Dorothee Baumann-Faltejsek - senior student of Egon von Neindorff, highly-esteemed classical side-saddle rider, and esteemed author of "Im Damensattel: Eine Reitlehre für die Frau" - Olms Press.
- Various Riders of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, including but not limited to Arthur Kottas and Hubert Rohrer.
- Charles de Kunffy - prolific author and clinician, of the now defunct Spanish Riding School of Hungary
During this education, he has received a comprehensive education in all aspects of the training of horses. He has been certified as an instructor by the German Fédération Nationale since 1985.
In his work, he follows strictly in the footsteps of his above-mentioned teachers and role models by trying to understand each horse as an individual and placing its soundness and well-being above all other considerations. The tradition of horsemanship of which he is a part sees the purpose of all training in making the horse safe and obedient, on the one hand, and on the other hand, in restoring and perfecting its natural gaits under the rider. Borne by love and respect for the horse, the methods he employs focus on the concepts of rhythm and tempo, relaxation, balance - self-carriage, lightness, flexibility, impulsion, straightness, and collection as the cornerstones of dressage.
In his Academic Pursuits, Dr. Ritter has a doctorate in Egyptology which originally brought him to the United States in 1991. From 1991 to 1998, he taught heiroglyphics classes at U.C.L.A., as well as trained horses and taught riding lessons on the side. In 1998, he made a decision to leave Egyptology and pursue training and instructing full time.
Dr. Ritter specializes in the training of the horse from starting under saddle to the advanced training of dressage horses, including work-in-hand and long-reining, as well as dressage competition and coaching.
You can contact him by email at thomasritt@gmail.com.
