Horsemanship

"Horses show us everything, if we listen carefully."

The basis of any successful partnership between horse and rider is trust. The horse trusts its rider if the rider gives it security. As a trainer of dressage horses, this is achieved through consistency, clear aid and determination.

This security creates a feeling of calm and boosts the horses’ self-confidence. Building on this basis of trust, the thread can be spun further and further during training until a youngster becomes a proud dressage horse that feels at home in the big dressage arena.

The result of this consistency is sensitivity and effortlessness. The rider's job is to show the horses how they use their bodies and what kind of movements they are actually capable of.

"We want our horses to look smart. Pointed ears, an attentive look and for them to enjoy work. This way we make even the hardest lessons look playfully easy." - Boaventure Freire

The art lies in empathizing with each horse and adapting the training to its qualifications. The horses set the pace and determine the type of work. The only thing that matters is that you always keep the long-term goal in mind and encourage your sports partner to achieve it.

In order to develop the horse’s full potential, motivation and the joy in movement are just as important as honest and real training. And there is one thing you must never forget: let the horse be a horse and offer him variety in addition to the work in the arena.

"For me, Ventura combines everything that distinguishes horsemanship. In addition to dressage work, he offers his horses a varied daily routine with daily grazing and walks in hand." - Claus Erhorn

Dressage +

Focus and mind as part of equestrian training

There is more to good riding than a talented horse and the correct recall of lessons. Ventura pursues a holistic approach in his training with the aim of training horse and rider for the big sport. Riding ability is only one piece of the puzzle on the road to success.

Ventura's dressage lessons go beyond the seat and the interaction with the rider. For him, focus is a crucial part of equestrian training. Before you start working on the horses, you should be able to consciously perceive and reflect on your own body.

“All it takes to succeed is technique, calmness and common sense. Trust the development. We will find the way for you and your horse." - Boaventura Freire

At the beginning of every riding lesson, the focus should be on feeling the movement and body awareness. If you can reflect on your own influence in a differentiated way, it is possible to give the horse small and subtle aids. In this way, a focused rider can consciously influence his horse and give him direction.

Most of the time, the key to success lies in the details - Ventura attaches great importance to giving the rider precise and honest aids. Have you ever imagined that you are riding the horse's ears forward or that your spine is a coiled spring? With figurative descriptions, Ventura gives his students new food for thought and shows them an easier way. This is how he manages to ensure that horse and rider enjoy their work and get a little better every day.

“What makes Ventura's lessons special is his meticulous work on the rider's impact. He has an eye for all the little components that make up the big picture.” - Julia Schatzmann