Ralf Schmitzer has more than 25 years of experience training horses and instructing riders. He began his career at the Haupt- und Landgestuet Marbach - the main stud center in Marbach, Germany. This is where the Wuertemberger horses are bred. Here he received comprehensive training in riding, breeding and teaching. Eighteen years ago, Ralf and his wife, Martina, founded a riding school and for the last ten years Ralf has focused on the classical art of riding. He bases his training on the old masters, namely Gueriniere, Pluvinell, Baucher and Steinbrecht and he has studied their methods internationally. Calmness, patience and the ability to feel the horse - these attributes require constant personal discipline - and are the prerequisite for his work.

Ralf shows this work with all kinds of breeds and remarkable ease. While paying attention to the horses' individual abilities, he trains most of them all the way to high school or Grand Prix movements. Because Ralf's method is kind, precise and individualized to each horse, many of his horses perform with ease even at an advanced age.

Another interesting fact is that Ralf does not use side reins, draw reins or other "helper" reins of any kind. He does not use them for lungeing, in-hand work or riding, even with difficult horses or horses that he is re-training. He works his horses in-hand and also includes circencic exercises in his daily work. Ralf works with all breeds but has a soft spot for Friesieans and Spanish-bred horses.

The biggest difference between Ralf's training methods and other training is his deep respect for the horse. Riding is truly an art and not just another sport for him.

He loves to share his knowledge both at home and abroad. There are regular clinics and seminars for horse enthusiasts and trainers. Now in his now fourth year of clinics in USA, he has taught over 480 lessons during 12 clinics and has created an enthusiastic following.

The demand for his method has been so strong that Ralf has trained two accomplished riders according to his standards. They are able to continue his teachings between clinics.

Ralf is not only interested in working with horses and riders but also in upholding and cultivating the knowledge of classical riding. He wants to conserve this valuable piece of history, rediscover ancient methods, rework them and pass them on to future generations.

The desire to learn in this unique environment is bringing horse enthusiasts from Germany and abroad to Ralf's training center in Gstadt/Sulzberg.