When I first heard about the clinic with Ralf, I hesitated to participate. As a Training Level rider on a four-year-old horse, I was worried that I'd be getting us in over our heads. After Simone told me that Ralf works with all levels of riders, however, I signed up. I'm so glad I did! It was a wonderful experience. Ralf gave me the tools to teach my young horse to carry himself with more straightness and balance, while at the same time helping me to improve my own position. Not only did Ralf tell the "how" of each exercise, he also explained the "why" so that I understood the purpose of each movement. My horse and I both had a great time-I can't wait for the next clinic with Ralf!

I really feel like I made a lot of progress with my riding during Ralf's clinic, not only in learning not to interfere with the horse but in correcting my little idiosyncracies that have interfered with my progress as a rider. Throughout the clinic, even when she was pushed to do something new and difficult, my horse remained calm and relaxed, something we haven't yet achieved in the show ring!!! Being given the tools to correct and maintain balance and position increases my confidence, which limits tension in my body and keeps my horse calmer. The emphasis on encouragement and cooperation with the horse rather than force yet having the rider maintain the leading role in the partnership seems contradictory; however, I felt that I was able to make significant progress in this manner. Finally, the consecutive days of training without a 2 week down time in between helped reinforce the training, and I have seen the result in my schooling sessions at home on my own. Can't wait for Ralf's return in May!

Ralf's clinic provided great hands-on training for my horse Scorpio and me. Although I had previously trained with Ralf, both here at Whispering Winds and at Ralf's facility in Germany, this was my first time with my horse Scorpio. The exercises Ralf taught me and my horse will be useful as we work on our own. By the end of my 3-day clinic my skills were greatly improved. Thanks for a great clinic!

My clinic with Ralf was fabulous. The one-on-one instruction plus the demonstration ride and theory night was like an entire college course on classical dressage in a few days. A ton of great eye-opening information and great "homework" for my mare and I to work on this winter (with Simone's help, of course). Ralf is kind but persistent and incredibly insightful. I always come away from these clinics feeling like I've just made sweeping advancements in my progress. Thanks to Ralf and Martina for traveling from Germany for this information we've all been starved for! And thanks to Simone and Petra for the translating so we can take advantage of Ralf's knowledge and instruction.

The Ralf clinic for me was life altering. Some important things I've always sort of known, that became crystallized when I actually experienced them with my horse; *The horse has everything inside and it is our job as a rider, not to teach the horse everything, but to tap into what's inside. *That there is a calm mind set in the horse; when the horse is in "this space" she learns and remembers. In order for the horse to be in this space, the rider has to be in that mind set consistently. *Give the horse time & space to think.