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The Lipizzan Stallion, Maestoso II Catrina, in the piaffe at the longrein with Thomas Ritter. Photo by Shana Ritter, 2003. |
The Lusitano Stallion, Quarteto do Top, in the Passage with Thomas Ritter. Photo by Shana Ritter, 2000. |
The Lipizzan Stallion, Maestoso II Catrina, at the longrein with Thomas Ritter. Photo by Shana Ritter, 2000. |
Thomas Ritter. Photo by Amelia Gagliano, 2007. |
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Thomas Ritter
International clinician and author, Dr. Thomas Ritter, and his wife, Shana Ritter run a classical dressage riding school out of White Horse Vale Lipizzans, a Lipizzan breeding facility. Teaching a variety of students from all walks of life, with one common passion - a love for classical horsemanship, Dr. Thomas and Shana Ritter keep the torch of classical horsemanship burning true and bright.
Training:
Dr. and Mrs. Ritter are currently accepting horses in training for the 2008 season. All breeds and levels are welcome. Believing that Dressage is good for all horses, but also believing that not all horses are made for Dressage, special consideration is given to horses with an aptitude and temperament suitable for the work. 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. For more details, visit the Training Philosophy page.
Exhibitions and Competitions:
Believing that Classical Dressage is simply Correct Dressage, Thomas and Shana regularly compete with their horses, throughout the levels, and perform exhibitions at a variety of venues. In 2006, Thomas and Shana, with their students, put on a grand evening of exhibitions at the First Annual 2006 White Horse Vale/Ritter Dressage Open House Celebration. Additionally, Thomas and Shana, organized the program of exhibition entertainment for the 2006 National Lipizzan Symposium, held at Devonwood Equestrian Center. In 2007, Thomas and Shana followed the tradition
of the previous year, providing two days of Exhibitions and Demonstations at the 2007 White Horse Vale/Ritter Dressage Open House. 2008's Performance Plans will reflect the growth and development of the Ritter Dressage Program. Instead of a single Open House Performance, Ritter Dressage will hold two separate Performances in the Summer of 2008. Be sure to mark your calendars to attend these two very special events, commemorating and celebrating the spirit of Classical Horsemanship.
Putting Classical Dressage “to the Test”, they’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy many successes in the showring. The most recent show season (2007) brought many wins, high-point awards and championships with Thomas Ritter aboard the Lipizzan Stallion, Favory Toscana-18, competing at 4th level and Prix St. George. In 2005, Thomas and the Dutch Warmblood Gelding, Lexington, were ODS Reserve Champion at 2nd Level and 2005 Cascade Dressage Championships Reserve Champion at 2nd Level. In 2004, Thomas and the Lipizzan stallion, Pluto III Canada, were the winners of the USDF All-Breeds Award at Training Level.
The 2008 Show Season was cut short due to steeply-rising fuel prices, but he successfully competed Lisa Hettman's Piber-imported Lipizzan mare, Traga 2, briefly at Training Level and First Level and also introduced June Boardman's Piber-imported Lipizzan stallion, Favory Toscana-18*, at Intermediare I.
Lessons:
Thomas Ritter’s teaching is eloquent and articulate. His knowledge is deeply grounded in classical theory, having studied MANY texts of the Old Masters, in numerous languages, but his teaching also speaks from personal experience. He takes his teaching very seriously, and strives to help each student achieve his/her personal best. His lessons focus on the development of a supple, swinging, yet toned seat and the understanding of the footfalls and coordination of the rider’s aids through the use of longe lessons. His lessons off of the longe line help 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.
Clinics:
Dr. Ritter has been teaching clinics throughout the United States and Internationally since 1998.
Thomas and Shana have taught clinics in Tromso, Norway, and look forward to returning to Norway and the U.K. and Germany for future clinics. 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 find out if he is teaching a clinic in your area in the coming year, visit our Calendar of events.
If you are interested in hosting a clinic with Thomas, visit the clinics section, and please feel free to email with any questions or to inquire about date availability.
Workshops and Riding Vacations:
In addition to occasionally hosting riding workshops at White Horse Vale in Goldendale, Washington, Dr. and Mrs. Ritter frequently welcome students to 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:
- Cavallo Magazine - a German Riding Magazine
- Dressage Today - August 2008 Feature Training Article as well as "Ask The Experts" and "What I Wish I Knew Then" column contributions
- 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.
Dr. Ritter has been featured in a number of articles in a variety of magazines, including many local GMO newsletters and magazines, and Dressage Today. 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:
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. In 1998 he teamed up with Shana Ritter and together they are creating a school of Classical Horsemanship with the Mission to preserve the Endangered Art of Classical Dressage. This school runs a comprehensive training and lesson program designed to create the Torch-Bearers of Classical Horsemanship of the Future. As a seasonal highlight, Ritter Dressage performs Exhibition Programs twice a year, in keeping with the tradition of the Reitinstitut Egon von Neindorff in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Dr. Ritter specializes in the advanced training of dressage horses, including work-in-hand and long-reining, as well as dressage competition and coaching.
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