Thousands of riders. One proven system.

Nicola's program has been one of the most impactful steps I've taken to improve my riding. The courses are easy to fit into a busy schedule, and she makes them accessible, unitimidating, and fun. Beyond feeling stronger in the saddle, they improve your overall fitness and strength. I've already recommended DRT to friends and look forward to counting the program.

The DRT program leads to change. There is something about these programs that results in noticeable improvements to how I move that has made my daily life easier to navigate with less to no discomfort. I'd been exercising consistently for years - a mix of body pump, body weight conditioning, hatha yoga, power yoga - and my strength, mobility and flexibility made incremental progress and I felt okay. I wanted to try DRT to see what a rider-specific program would be like. Many of the exercises were familiar to me. But mid-way through DRT 1 I felt better and could move better than I had before. I've had steady, incremental progress with these programs that I hadn't felt with my prior mix of exercise. So how this program is structured and conducted was what made the noticeable improvement for me. DRT 3's focus on the fascia was really interesting, and even though I had a foam roller and had been using a tennis ball for trigger point massage, I bought the mobility ball set and it does make a big difference in easing muscle knots. I'm going to repeat DRT 3 and do the hip mobility program and then intend to sign up for DRT 4. Thank you for these programs; I really appreciate it. (And it's the winter doldrums here, so the beautiful scenery in the background lifts my sprits!) Kind regards, Kristin

Hi Nicola I have absolutely loved the DRT1 and hip suppleness programs, they have been a revelation. I feel so much more connected to my horse and now have a much better understanding of working on my posture and it is really noticeable in my horse's response. They are such amazingly animals and it is incredible how a tiny little change in the rider's body position can have a massive impact on the way a horse travels. Dressage is addictive!! Thanks again, I am going to keep it all up! It has now become an essential part of my day to day routine . Regards Jacqui

I'm a novice rider and have used three online dressage riding programs to learn the training scale, dressage theory, use of the aids and exercises off the horse. DRT is by far the best program I've found to augment my riding lessons. As promised, Nicola's program really does target the muscles that make you strong, light, stable and responsive in the saddle. I and my teachers saw changes in my riding within a couple of weeks. I finally learned how to ride with my seat and legs, which dramatically improved my contact and my relationships with the school horses! Nicola offers as much exercise as you're willing to do, including cardiovascular conditioning and strategies to add movement during the day for desk sitters like me. However, DRT is much more than exercise. Nicola explains how every part of your life off the horse influences your riding. Her e-mails on nutrition, sleep, energy, endurance and self-empowerment invite you to examine and change your thoughts and habits to create real health and long term fitness. It's like having a personal coach and is one of the program's greatest benefits. Her insights and recommendations have improved my fitness and motivation in and out of the saddle. I've had to suspend my own participation in the program until spring due to an injury that was not due to riding. However, I know that when I get back to DRT it will give me what I need to get in shape, on and off the horse. I'm chafing at the bit to get back to it! Susan Palermo

Hi Nicola, I just wanted to express how DRT1 has really helped my riding. While I am still working through DRT1 and repeating some weeks in my own time, I have found the course very inspiring and encouraging. My biggest gain was some of the simplest exercises of body awareness on and off my horses. With the course comes access to so much more information. From extra routines to motivational mindset exercises to healthy eating recipes. Nicola is wonderfully positive and is so generous with what she offers on the course. Thanks so much, Nicola, for putting together such a fantastic program.

Hi, I started the DRT to help improve my posture and balance after many falls over the years I was very crooked. I felt I had to improve myself if I expected my horse to improve - this DRT course has massively improved my ability. I am a very busy Vet and working mum so I have taken a little longer to complete the program but I have kept going and I am improving slowly. I'm a couple of weeks away from finishing week 11,12.

My horse, Cayman and I are riding second level dressage. The DRT 1 program has really strengthened my core and hips, helped me develop a deeper seat and better balance which in turn has allowed me to have more clear and effective aides. This has really improved our transitions and quality of gaits. My strength and seat have developed so much since starting the program that I was able to ride walk, trot, and canter bare back. Previously, I would mostly walk and do some short distance trotting before loosing my balance. I have also been able to mount from the ground if I have to dismount while trail riding. That is something I haven't been able to do for 15-20 years but, I can now that I have more strength and flexibility. I'm ready to move on to DRT 2 program but, I will repeat the last four weeks of DRT 1 until the next program begins. Thank you for the support!

I am a lifetime rider as well as the recipient of multiple joint replacements. I completed DRT 1 & 2, and I can say my strength and mobility has has significantly improved as has my effectiveness of aids on my horses! My favorite part of the program is when Nicola discusses how what we are doing in DRT links to our mounted work. My biggest challenges have been with the Yoga sessions and completing any kind of leg sweep through as well as doing Swiss Ball exercises where your back/shoulders are on the ground and only the foot is on the ball (I personally need to avoid any chance of knee hyperextension). So, I just transition from pose to pose in a way that I am able and do bridges on the ground instead of the ball. My advice to all is to take advantage of the DRT program! Challenge yourself with the new exercises DRT offers, but know your body and your true limitations and adjust to accomodate.

Having found the last few weeks of DRT1 a challenge I did wonder whether i would be ready for DRT2. I am pleased I went ahead with the programme as although I still find the balance ball exercises a challenge, DRT2 has moved into slightly different areas and my (poor!!) balance on the ball has not stopped me gaining huge amounts from DRT2. I have particularly enjoyed the yoga sessions (having been a complete yoga virgin when i started) - who knew breathing could be so difficult?! This is where I believe, I have gained so much from the programme. I have really noticed a massive improvement in my balance and stability while in the saddle but also in my everyday life. I broke my wrist a couple of years ago and although everything had healed and I was back riding again within a few months, this programme has highlighted how weak my wrist had become. As a result of the exercises in DRT2 in particular, I have really improved my strength in my wrist again and it really is back to normal now. As someone who would class themselves as fit and healthy, this programme has really highlighted how stiffness and one-sidedness can creep up on you. I'm no where near as bendy as Nicola but the sessions allowed me to follow at my own pace and I have seen a massive improvement. I would definitely recommend DRT2 to those on DRT1 as its a gentle and natural progression that won't leave you feeling left behind. I'm attaching a photo of me and my 6yo Arty at our first competition as a partnership last week. Arty is 18 hands and has a huge trot but being a baby still, he can be very wobbly and loose balance. This programme has really helped me keep in balance with him and stay centred allowing him to find his way. Thank you Nicola. Your words are always encouraging and positive and I look forward to DRT3!

DRT3 has taken the strength and flexibility that I gained in DRT 1 & 2 and has moved this on again. My back feels strong and I don't have problems with my lower back being weaker, my whole back works from top to bottom. My shoulders are stronger, my posture has improved and I am now aware when I slip into poor posture, (driving or on the computer) and naturally correct myself. I am really pleased with how my balance has improved and I loved the exercises that challenge the cross slings. I had a bit of a love hate relationship with the 60 second buzzer, by round 3 I was wanting it to end but then I was able to find extra effort in round 4 because I knew it was the last time through, the system works! The difference that DRT has made to my riding has taken me from feeling underconfident riding without stirrups to happily cantering in a bareback pad! Thank you Nicola, I'm nearer 60 than 50 and feel in better shape than ever.

Hello everyone. I just finished DRT 1 and was very happy with the results. My balance has improved a lot. Everybody is a little lopsided and uneven , with every ride I work on straightness and balancing the horse front to back and side to side. The program has helped me to find my weaknesses and how to get more balanced myself. I can't believe how aware I am now and what some little weight shifts can do to help the horses I ride. Thank you. I especially love the exercises with the swiss ball. I like how that improves my body awareness.The picture is a 10 year old mare, 50% Clydesdale, 25% Thoroughbred, 25% Paint. Not your typical dressage horse haha but she is very sensitive and smart and we are showing at 3rd level.

Hi Nicola,I have absolutely loved the program; it has been a game changer for my riding. I am a 53 year old foxhunter, (very) occasional jumper rider and mother of a 16 year old pony clubber. My horse, Murry, is a solid citizen - and a solid 17h. I just didn't have the core strength to put him together and ride as effectively as needed. DRT has made a noticeable difference in my strength and balance. I am still a work in progress, but my position issues have really improved since I started the program...and my daughter and I have had loads of fun showing together this spring. I am a big believer in your program!

The DRT2 program was a great follow-up to the first program building on the exercises we practiced during DRT1. I am very grateful for this program, as it's continuously helping me stay flexible, strong, and, most importantly, relaxed and safe in the saddle. My seat has improved greatly since starting the program, as has my confidence on the horse. Thanks, Nicola!

I found DRT 2 easier than DRT 1 because I had repeated DRT 1 slowly over a year and reinforced all the techniques I had not been able to master. The most difficult technique was the lunge back and this was reflected in my riding where I was asking for canter depart on a circle. The awareness of which muscles to activate was an exercise in concentration. There are new exercises in DRT 2 which I know I need to practice to improve my ability to hold the position and therefore strengthen my body. I found in my practice that technique was at the heart of the problem and much effort was wasted if I didn't study how the footwork was done first. Thank you Nicola for your effort in putting this program together. I am a student of riding in the arena and use the stretches before my lesson with great joy. My horses that I learn on are great teachers and tell me when I am moving into a new area of relaxation of certain muscles. I work on two levels, one is the past issues and also a journal of the lesson to avoid carrying tension from week to week. I have enjoyed the balance ball and over time have been amazed at the progress I have made which seemed impossible. I recommend that if working inside some cushions are placed to prevent the ball rolling too far as it is easy to fall and hit the floor or the furniture. It was also wonderful to make the transition to working outside with the ball. Thanks once again for the program. It has given me some insight into dressage riding issues. Sandra Lawrence

Hi Nicola, I've really enjoyed DRT1. I feel fitter and stronger as a result of completing all the workouts. I thought I was reasonably riding fit, since I ride daily and do yoga and pilates. The rider fitness certainly highlighted weaknesses and what I need to focus on. I have become more aware of making my core stronger and lightening/relaxing my hands, I really liked the homework exercises - a real added bonus! I also found the work on the Swiss ball really beneficial. Exercises that I thought were impossible initially I found I could do with practice and focus. The picture is of me riding Katie at the British Riding Clubs National Championships on the 6th of April. We came 3rd with a score of 70% in Novice 27. This was my 3rd test of the day riding 2 different horses. I was thrilled I had the energy and focus to do so well in a National competition. Thank you!

Hello Nicola, I've so enjoyed working my way through DRT1 and am super pleased with the progress I've made. Will definitely want t continue on this journey but also feel I can still get loads of continued benefit by repeating these workouts.Thanks again

Hi Nicola! The DRT2 program was the perfect follow on to DRT1! It further strengthened the specific muscles we need for riding, continued to improve core strength and really helped with balance. After finishing DRT1 and starting DRT2, I noticed not only the benefits in my riding, but also felt improved strength and balance while playing tennis and skiing! During DRT2 I started taking dressage lessons with a new trainer who really focuses on seat, position, use of the core and suppleness to get the most out of my OTTB mare! Without DRT2 I don't think I ever could have had the strength and ability to be doing what my dressage trainer asks me to do! I can't wait to start DRT3 and am repeating all the DRT2 sessions in the meantime...:)

This program helped improve my core strength and stability in the saddle. I went from riding mostly OTTBs to an 18hand warmblood that was very strong in the bridle. This has helped me better support my own body to ride him better and rely less on my reins and more on my position to communicate with him. Very beneficial to me and my horse and I highly recommend this program! Thank you for your help Nicola!

What a great program! Of course I knew my body needed lots of improvement. I have enjoyed positive results in flexibility, balance and strength just to name a few areas. I so appreciate the extended time as I recognized my body was not ready to move to the next level. Instead I have started at the beginning hoping to keep up with you (that is not always an easy task!) and do the advanced maneuvers. LOVE having a program that improves my horse time in many areas!

I have truly experienced awesome results with all the DRT programs. Each one has built on the previous one. Just when I think u cannot improve or come up with something new, you do! Can't wait for DRT 6! Until then, definitely going back to repeat 5!

Here I am with Clancy, my Australian Brumby. Clancy might tell you that he is not convinced the DRT1 has made much difference to my riding, but he would be wrong! As a hobby rider limited to weekends, my progress with dressage will always be unhurried, shall we say. It's been a 15 year journey so far and I am only 12 months in with Clancy (who is still pretty green). I have always kept up with Pilates or yoga to stay as mobile as possible, as I have arthritis in several joints, and I have had to be opportunistic about whatever fitness I can achieve in an already quite busy life. The DRT program has streamlined all this in the pleasantest and most effective way: I can do a choice of workout when it suits me, at a pace that suits me, and I can easily adapt the exercises to my specific needs. I am not a fan of exercise for exercise's sake, so I am delighted to be doing routines specially designed for riders and including not just core work but a lot of stretching and balance - both vital when you are in your 60s! With the added bonus of not having to drive through traffic to get to a session. I have a lot to consolidate before I go on the DRT2, but thanks Nicola - I haven't got sick of you yet! And Clancy, admit it: haven't you noticed that my legs are a little longer and the independence of my aids is improving? Ah, see, you have noticed!

I am impressed with DRT and feel that my improvements are remarkable! I am a 74 year-old rider with an artificial hip and a new-to-me PRE named Bravio. While I have done Pilates and yoga over the years, the systematic training with Nicola dramatically improved my fitness both in and out of the saddle.

Hullo, I made more progress rehabbing my core strength with this program than I did with physical therapy. I like that improving stability is a throughline in every workout. The sessions are not repetitive, it's all doable, yet challenging. I see the benefits in my every day life as much as in the saddle.

Hi Nicole, I think that the office hours are so beneficial and they have made me more aware of my body position. The whole program is helping me to transform my riding from the lectures to the podcasts and videos.