DRT Upper Body Alignment
Helping you ride tall with balance, softness & control
Unlock balance, freedom & connection with every ride.
Watch: Nicola introduces the DRT Upper Body Alignment program
First, let's talk about what you're feeling
Does this sound like you?
- Do you ever feel tight, rounded, or tense through your upper body in the saddle?
- Do you struggle with keeping your shoulders back, without feeling stiff or sore?
- Does your posture collapse forward, leaving your hands heavy and your seat disconnected?
- Do your neck or shoulders ache after riding?
- Or maybe you dream of sitting tall and free in the saddle, without tension creeping in?
If you relate to any of these, you're not alone. These are the most common posture problems riders face — and they can all be improved with the right training.
21,000+ participants in 81 countries
It is highly likely that someone in your town has already improved their riding through one of our DRT programs.
Here's the good news
Redefine your riding posture
If you've been told to “sit up straight” or “shoulders back” — but found that only to be a temporary solution, leaving you tense and sore — it doesn't need to be this way.
True rider posture isn't about bracing. It's about alignment. It's about building strength and mobility so your ribcage, spine, and shoulders can support you naturally.
That's exactly what this DRT Upper Body Alignment program will help you achieve.
Let's go to the root of it
Why posture & alignment are the missing key
Your upper body shapes your seat. It influences:
How softly your hands connect with the reins
How deeply your seat plugs into the saddle
How easily your breath flows with your horse
How long you can ride without fatigue or tension
When your shoulders are tight and your upper back weak, your core alone can't hold you. But when your posture is aligned, everything else — your aids, your balance, your harmony with your horse — falls into place.
This program goes straight to the root cause: the interplay between your ribcage, shoulders, and upper back.
How shoulder imbalances affect your riding
You've probably seen this in yourself or others: one shoulder lower than the other, elbows flying out, or hands creeping up the neck in an effort to “fix” the contact. These are often symptoms of underlying imbalances upstream:
- One scapula that doesn’t glide properly
- Rounded shoulders from too much screen time or poor posture
- Weak mid-back muscles and tight pecs
- Shallow breathing patterns that overload the traps and neck
All of these things affect how your reins feel, how your spine holds, and how your seat moves.
And yes — they also affect your horse. An unbalanced rider = an unbalanced load.
And it doesn't stop at riding
Benefits beyond the saddle
Better posture doesn't just transform your riding. It changes how you move and feel in daily life too.
Less tension in your neck, jaw, and shoulders
When your upper body is aligned and strong, those tight spots don’t have to carry the load anymore. That means fewer headaches, less clenching, and no more finishing the day with aching shoulders. You’ll feel lighter and more relaxed — both on and off the horse.
Improved breathing and energy
Stacking your ribcage over your pelvis opens up your diaphragm, so your breath can move fully and freely. The result? More oxygen, more stamina, and more calm focus. Riders often find they’re not only riding better, but also feeling more energetic in daily life.
Reduced strain on your back
When your shoulders and ribcage hold their share of the work, your lower back doesn’t have to pick up the slack. That means fewer tweaks, less soreness, and better protection for your spine. Everyday tasks — from mucking out to carrying hay — start to feel easier and less draining.
More confidence in how you carry yourself
Posture isn’t just physical — it’s emotional too. When you stand taller, with open shoulders and an aligned frame, you project confidence and calm. You’ll feel more grounded in the saddle, more present with your horse, and more assured in your day-to-day life.
So here's your invitation
Introducing the DRT Upper Body Alignment Program
This is your invitation to ride taller, breathe deeper, and feel stronger through your upper body — without pressure or fatigue.
Over 12 weeks, through targeted strength and corrective exercises, you'll train the muscles and mobilise the joints that matter most for posture, alignment, and shoulder control. It's about:
- Releasing tightness in your thoracic spine and shoulders
- Building endurance in your postural erector muscles
- Learning to stack your ribs over pelvis for natural upright posture
- Training your shoulders and core to work together
So you can ride with freedom, softness, and strength.
What is included in this program?
12 weeks of guided training
- 2 posture-focused sessions per week (approx. 45 mins each)
- Evening stretching resets for release and recovery
- Strength + mobility combined for long-lasting results
Rider-specific focus
Every exercise is designed for dressage posture:
- Breath control
- Scapular stability
- Thoracic mobility
- Ribcage alignment
How to play the videos
Via our website
Play the videos on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or TV. Simply push play and stream the video, the same as you would a YouTube video.
Via our mobile app
Install our app for iOS from the App Store, or for Android from the Play Store. We give you details on how to install the app and login upon registration.
Have limited internet?
A key functionality of the app is the ability to save videos to your device for offline playback. Simply save the video once, and it will play offline thereafter.
Simple equipment
This program uses dumbbells (light to moderate), a resistance band, a foam roller, a broomstick or dowel, and a wall.
And in case we haven't met…
Hi, I'm Nicola Smith — your instructor.
I've dedicated the majority of my life so far to being a rider and fitness trainer with Dressage Rider Training. I am hugely passionate about horses and riding, ever since I was a young girl with my pony ‘Smokey’ (pictured).
My lifetime of riding, combined with my knowledge and experience in Exercise Prescription, give me a deep understanding of the requirements a rider needs in the saddle. I've designed this program to solve the exact posture issues that hold riders back.
I know what it feels like to brace, collapse, or overwork through the shoulders. And I also know the freedom that comes when posture feels effortless. That's what this program is here to give you.
What I have done for myself, I have now created the template for you. If you follow it as prescribed, I know you will make drastic changes and magic will flow in the saddle, just as it has for me. I can't wait for you to start on this journey of self-discovery — you will be surprised at the hidden potential you can uncover with this program.
- Bachelor of Physical Education & Exercise Prescription, Otago University
- CHEK Level 2 Practitioner
- Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
Ready to ride taller and more aligned? Here's how to join.
Join with Membership Now
Choose the plan that suits you
- Access to Upper Body Posture, plus all other Base programs (including the Strength Roadmap)
- Community of like-minded riders providing support
- Instant access — cancel any time
Want to see everything inside membership first? What's included in membership?
Still have questions?
Frequently asked questions
When purchasing you will receive login details to our website that contains the program. You will also be able to install our mobile app to access the program on your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone/tablet. On the website or mobile app, you can push play and stream the video sessions, just like a YouTube video.
So here's where it's up to you
Your commitment
Imagine riding taller, breathing easier, and feeling free through your shoulders while in the saddle — without gripping, bracing, or collapsing.
This isn't about a quick fix. It's about retraining your posture for long-term results, both in the saddle and in your daily life.
All that is left is for you to commit to this program, and let it do its magic.
Let's do this!
Start your DRT Upper Body Alignment journey today.
Join with Membership Now
Choose the plan that suits you
- Access to Upper Body Posture, plus all other Base programs (including the Strength Roadmap)
- Community of like-minded riders providing support
- Instant access — cancel any time
Want to see everything inside membership first? What's included in membership?
To recap — this is for you if…
Ride taller, free, and aligned
- If your shoulders and upper back feel tight or restricted, this program is for you.
- If you struggle to maintain posture without bracing your hands, this is for you.
- If you want to ride taller and create a better picture, this will help you achieve it.
And you risk nothing
My guarantee to you
I am so confident you will love the difference this program makes. But if you start and find it's not right for you, I'll give you a full refund within 30 days — no questions asked.
We strive for honesty & transparency — we simply want you to be 100% confident in your decision to try this program. You deserve to ride tall, free, and aligned. Let's make it happen.
I know this program is going to help your riding, and give you everything you want out of it. If you have any unanswered questions regarding this Upper Body Alignment program, or if you're not sure about something, please use the chat box at the bottom right of the screen to send me a message. I would love to hear from you and help as best as I can.
Helping you be a better partner for your horse.
Kind regards, Nicola Smith
