“It is lightness which truly defines equestrian art and simultaneously shows the rider who has mastered it the true scope of his talents.”
Nuno Oliveira
Welcome to my website and thank you for your interest in my work!
“Dressage is for the horses” – this is the motto by which I design my training work. Every type of horse can develop a healthy carrying capacity and thus harmony and lightness are possible. Collection is something natural and achievable for every rider. In my film series “Riding in Collection for Healthy Horses and Lightness” i show what collection is and how it can be achieved.
Click here for my online services:
Step by step: The series of exercises to work on as a subscription
The series is aimed at riders and horses of all types, ages and training levels. It is intended as a journey through horse training and serves advanced riders to review and supplement their physical training.
There is a separate film for breaking in young horses, but the exercises are also suitable for young horses. Special features for older horses or “rehab cases” are addressed. Individual guidance can be provided by my recommended trainer training graduates.
Twice a month there are 10–15 minute exercise videos.
Currently, the subscription is available in German:
Lusitano Finito, 7 years old: The execution of the piaffe shows that he is not yet able to straighten his trunk. This is why the front leg is still lagging behind.
Lusitano Finito, 11 years old: The piaffe is developed to perfection and shows that he can straighten up and bend his haunches. His neck is perfectly placed over the sloping shoulders.
The film series “Riding in Collection for Healthy Horses and Lightness” is based on my successful books. By working your horse in collection and thus improving its weight-carrying ability, you can keep it healthy well into old age!
Outstanding and in pioneer position is the didactical mediation of teaching contents! Through slow-motion, still images, auxiliary lines, detail and drone shots, important, forgotten knowledge of the old masters and new findings are cleverly prepared and vividly presented.
After buying the films, you have unlimited access to all material with your individual login details.
Here you can find and order the film series (english):
This project exemplifies the training of the young Lusitano stallion Magusto.
In the “Magusto Projekt compakt” parts 1–6 you will find his development in 60 film clips, each in bundles of 10, documenting 3 years of training.
The knowledge from my films applied – order here.
Currently, the bundle is available in German:
Lusitano Magusto, 5 years old: Magusto had a bad start when he was broken in in Portugal and could hardly be ridden at first. After 3 months with me, he is still showing on the forehand and a bit tight in the neck. He still seems insecure.
Lusitano Magusto, 6 years old: One year later, Magusto shows balance, power and straightening. His rump is rising, hindquarters lowered, shoulders raised, neck is above the shoulders and the nape is the highest point. His charisma is proud and bursting with energy.
Riders and trainers can take part in compact training programmes or individual riding lessons with me – on-site or online. The Individual Trainer Training (one-to-one setting) follows a clearly structured didactic approach and works with a flexible modular system of key training parameters such as balance, relaxation, suppleness, and strength.
Methodologically rooted in the tradition of Légèreté, it leads towards a dialogical form of riding – “freedom on a word of honour”. The programme is designed as advanced continuing training for experienced riders and trainers, while also being open to ambitious riders with suitable prior experience.
For English-speaking riders, the Individual Trainer Training is offered exclusively online, allowing you to benefit from personalised instruction wherever you are in the world.
Here you can learn more about the programme:
Classical Dressage for the Horse’s Long-Term Health
(Interview with Maria Cooke, “Inside the Manege”)
As my capacity is limited, my focus is now on trainer education. If you are looking for an instructor for yourself and your horse, you can find a certified trainer here. For English-speaking riders, online lessons are also available in English, offering individual, horse-centred instruction wherever you are in the world.
The trainers featured here have successfully completed their training in Sonja Weber Reitkunst and have been certified. They are committed to a horse-centred approach to classical training, with an emphasis on lightness, genuine carrying capacity, and the long-term health and well-being of the horse.
Seven-year-old Kladruber Saba performing an exemplary piaffe.
“The quality of movement makes all the difference!
It’s all about the ‘how’ of an exercise to be mastered with slowness and voluntariness.” Sonja Weber
Marialva – healthy and lively at a ripe old age through correct training!
In order to develop its weight-carrying ability, the horse must be guided into collection. Then it will remain completely fit, motivated and strong!
I’ve been training with Sonja for 3 years now. For 3 years, my horse has only seen the vet to be inoculated, and each of our lessons is a highlight!
After 20 years, I’ve finally found a style of riding that has led me to success! Unambiguous communication and highly effective professional instruction! Absolutely oriented towards the well-being of both horses and riders!
Getting access to Sonja’s deep and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of how to school a horse has broadened my horizon significantly, even with regard to my profession. The training methods and aims of the art of riding are intricately connected to methods of healing such as osteopathy and fascial therapy. The art of riding is not only absolutely essential to keeping our horses healthy; it also enables them to fully unfold their inherent brilliance and potential.
What fascinates me so much about working with Sonja is her incredibly comprehensive knowledge about classical dressage. With her, I can learn everything about how to keep my horse healthy through dressage training. Thank you so much!
An exceptional teacher and a horsewoman of extraordinary depth and sensibility. With her guidance, each day on horseback has turned into a thrilling challenge to become yet more finely attuned to the horse and sense what he needs.
Sonja has managed to pick us up where we were and guide us forward step by step. Working with her is incredibly intense, and so far, no one else has been able provide me with such convincing and detailed explanations. The results speak for themselves!
Positive ambition, a certain curiosity, being open to new insights and keen on knowing things in detail, hard-working, diligent and permanently concerned with the well-being of the horse – this is what led Sonja Weber to achieve what she can now with good conscience teach others. She stands for a thorough, demanding, refined and solid kind of horsemanship.
What I really admire about Sonja Weber is her untiring concern with the principles of classical riding. She is open to many different approaches, carefully selecting what she considers most appropriate. In this way, she can find the best possible, most constructive solution to a very broad array of problems facing both horses and riders. Her curiosity and critical spirit have let her arrive at the highest level. Congratulations!
