From Taking Lessons to Teaching

Caroline Ritter was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and from dayone was drawn to not only the horse, but the journey. Beginning her athleticism in dance and gymnastics, Caroline traded out ballet slippers and balance beams for a saddle at 10 years old. The Thanksgiving camp where she began riding sparked her passion that led her to where she is now.

Ritter’s 12 year venture has led her to a realization that riding “isn’t necessarily [her] favorite part of this sport.” Accredited to USHJA’s Emerging Athlete’s Program, Caroline found her interest in stable management. She mentioned that learning the “why” or “how” of “[cleaning] your bit after every ride...[picking] you horse’s hooves before and after you leave the arena,” and that when clipping water buckets up, the “clip needs to face the wall” was an “eye opener.”

Caroline has traveled between Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and now Florida at different farms operating in breeding, lessons, and competition.She explained that “since [she] was young [she has] always loved kids.” Volunteering as a kid at her hometown farm with “holiday camps” and “pony parties,” and eventually “a few lessons,” she realized that she “loved to teach kids about horses,” a discovery imperative to our industry. Also working at multiple at-home farms in Lake Charles feeding and cleaning stalls (among many other tasks), Caroline valued most the skill of finding “what you like vs. what you don’t,” and “what works [and] what doesn’t.” Again, she mentioned the importance of the “why” in regard to the operation of each individual farm, and discovering that reasoning by things like “monitoring horse behavior.”

In discussing Caroline’spath from taking lessons to teaching them, she emphasized her inspiration in seeing her own story in the kids she teaches. Experiencing the “smiles” and “expressions” reminds her why she does what she does, and that she is “so blessed to be...a part of so many more stories.” The love she has in serving as an example for her lesson kids prompts Caroline’s advice that “someone is always watching”, which she heavily stresses. Additionally, she encourages acting as a “sponge” to absorb information, “right or wrong.” Caroline works to be the “person that goes above and beyond”, and advises the same for others with goals of success, reminding them that “people remember the little details.” Lastly, she pushes others to “let [their] love and passion for horses guide you”, and “the opportunities are there.”

Caroline now resides in Naples, Florida, working as an assistant trainer with KITS Equestrian Center, teaching lessons, caring forthe horses, and traveling to multiple competitions a month.