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AVAILABILITY: Currently scheduling for 2007 and 2008
Contact us to schedule a clinic. Complete specs are below.
Check the calendar for complete listing of upcoming dates.
"Are Dr. Ritter's clinics worth attending? In my opinion, very positively and
definitely yes. I have studied with him on several occasions when he has
come east to Maryland and I will study with him in the future on any occasion
when the opportunity presents itself and put my pennies aside in the meantime
in order to do that. There are hardly any opportunities in the US to study
with competent people and I will always support the few who offer a student a
correct education and then deliver it.
I can count on less than two full hands the number of people, who live and
teach in the US, who have a sufficiently extensive background and solid
education to make serious study worthwhile. Dr. Ritter is on that list. I
did not know Dr. Ritter personally before I got on a horse, shook his hand
and introduced myself in the arena and started work. But I knew and know his
teachers and I know where he was educated and how he was educated. And that
information counts with me. Greatly."
- Kasette@aol.com
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2007 Clinic Rates:
Dr. Thomas Ritter - $900.00/day
Shana Ritter - $700.00/day
Both Thomas and Shana Ritter - $1400.00/day ($200 discount)
2008 Clinic Rates:
Dr. Thomas Ritter - $900.00/day
Shana Ritter - $800.00/day
Both Thomas and Shana Ritter - $1600.00/day ($100 discount)
Requirements:
Airfare provided if outside of immediate area - see details below
Local transportation provided
Hotel or other suitable accommodations provided
Meals provided
Clinic Format:
Two-day minimum. Three-day clinics preferred (Third day can be a half-day if necessary and can be pro-rated accordingly)
Schedule 45 minutes for each ride with breaks after every second ride in case rides go overtime.
No more than 8 rides per day.
If two arenas available, Thomas and Shana can teach in separate arenas. Otherwise, Thomas and Shana can share the same arena. Riders should be willing to share arena space, also.
Group Lessons and Semi-Private lessons are an option.
Dr. Thomas Ritter Lectures are an option, in place of lesson(s).
Other Conditions/Requirements:
FLIGHTS: We fly out of Portland International Airport (PDX). When booking our flights, do not book flights which depart earlier than 8:00am. Whenever possible, book our return flights on the last night of the clinic rather than the following day.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: Lcoal transportation can be provided by clinic organizer, friend, or participant to taxi us to/from airport, hotel, meals, etc. Alternatively, a car can be provided for our use.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel preferred, but some exceptions allowed in certain situations. Non-smoking rooms only.
MEALS: Morning - please provide small, heatlhy options, coffee, and juice. Lunch and Dinner - Shana is a vegetarian who eats some seafood. Please provide healthy meal options. We are happy to go to local restaurants and are always interested in local cuisine.
REFRESHMENTS: Please provide water, juices, and sodas throughout the day. Snacks are appreciated.
PAYMENT: Payment in full needs to be made by the last day of the clinic. Check, cash, or money order accepted. Make payable to "Ritter Dressage".
SOUND SYSTEM: It is greatly appreciated if organizer can provide sound system with portable mic for clinician(s).
EQUIPMENT: Please provide longewhip(s), work-in-hand whip(s), several longelines without an attached chain (and with loop ends rather than the heavy rubber donuts), side-reins, circingle, and cavesson. Highly recommended: ground poles, blocks, cones, and other suitable markers for marking "arena patterns".
RELEASE OF LIABILITY: All riders must sign a release of liability statement which includes both Thomas and Shana Ritter. We do carry insurance which covers our clinic lessons.
RIDING: Thomas and Shana *might* agree to ride participants' horses, however, this is entirely up to the discretion of Thomas and Shana. Do not expect Thomas or Shana to ride a horse that is dangerous - a clinic is not a suitable time or place for such corrections. Alternatively, Thomas and Shana will likely show the rider how to work through the problem on the ground via longeing, long-reining, work-in-hand, or double-longeing.
Booking a Clinic:
To book a clinic with Thomas Ritter, Shana Ritter, or both, please email us at thomas@classicaldressage.com or levade@classicaldressage.com. Alternatively, give us a call at (360) 631-1101.
Generally we book our calendars 6-12 months in advance, but occasionally dates open up. Feel free to contact us to inquire about a date that has opened up.
New clinic locations should not be in a location near enough to an existing location that it may hinder either organizer's ability to fill the clinics.
It is the Organizer's responsibility to promote and advertise the clinic in order to adequately fill the clinic. We are happy to provide a listing in our calendar, but organizers should not expect this listing alone to be sufficient to advertise the clinic.
Cancellation Policy: No penalty if cancelled 60 days in advance. 50% of full clinic fee must be paid if cancelled 30-60 days in advance and we cannot fill the date. 100% of full clinic fee must be paid if cancelled less than 30 days from scheduled date.
Participant Requirements:
AGE: Due to the intellectual nature of dressage, please - No riders under 8yo. Thankfully, no upper age limit. :-)
SOUND, SAFE HORSES: All horses in cinic must be sound, and able to do walk, trot, and canter safely. Some exceptions may apply depending upon circumstances (i.e. young horses, older horses, etc.) No exceptions on the soundness issue - it is simply not ethical to make a lame horse work.
SUITABLE EQUIPMENT: All horses must have a dressage bridle, dressage saddle, and dressage bit(s). Strange bits, strange saddles, and unsuitable bridles only skirt the real issues. Bridles must have a suitable nose band which fits appropriately. Double-bridles should only be used on horses and riders at 2nd level or above, and it is highly recommended to bring a regular snaffle bridle, too. Never use a flash noseband or drop noseband on a double-bridle. If riding with a double-bridle, rider should always wear spurs. All riders should ride with a dressage whip unless specifically given prior permission not to. Polo wraps are not required, but always look nice.
SUITABLE ATTIRE FOR RIDER: Riders should wear suitable attire: riding breeches, riding boots, etc. Showing up for your lesson in shorts and clogs is not recommended. :-) Helmets are not required by us, but often recommended. They may be required by the facility. Weather permitting, please do not wear baggy clothing. Much preferred would be neat, tidy, well-fitted breeches, shirt, and perhaps a vest so that clinicians can see and correct rider's position. Spurs are optional.
OPEN MIND, READY TO LEARN: Students should be open and ready to learn.
TREAT HORSE WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT - "Always remember the horse is smarter than you think." - Karl Mikolka.
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Last Update: December 26, 2007