Dressage with Amelia

Latest Episodes:

Confidence in the Saddle Q&A Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

This week’s Thursday Live was all about building confidence, on the ground and in the saddle.

Germán and I dove into one of the most important (and challenging!) parts of riding: staying calm, clear, and confident, even when things go wrong. From groundwork foundations to recovering after a fall, we shared stories, tips, and personal lessons that every rider can relate to.

We also talked about:

The importance of groundwork and how it helps your horse relax and trust you
Why your horse’s frame of body reflects their frame of mind (thank you, Chris Irwin!)
Our Groundwork Essentials course, and why it’s such a game-changer for connection and confidence
Our upcoming trip to the Carl Hester Masterclass (stay tuned for next week’s takeaways!)
A behind-the-scenes story about how groundwork actually brought us together
Clinic reflections with Albrecht and some breakthroughs with both our horses

We also answered your live Q&A questions, including:

How to keep your horse active without constant nagging
What to do after your horse (or you) has had a scary fall
How to rebuild trust and confidence through small, consistent wins
Understanding whether your horse is “hot” or “laid back”, and how to adapt your approach

One of our favorite reminders from this chat:

“You want to be the thermostat, not the thermometer.”

Confidence doesn’t come from pretending you’re not afraid, it comes from time, miles, and layering positive experiences until both you and your horse start to trust again.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Groundwork Essentials is $100 off this week. You’ll get step-by-step videos, problem-solving lessons, and video feedback sessions to help you build calm, confidence, and connection from the ground up.

Celebrate the 30 Days to Round Winners With Us Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

This week’s live session was one of our favorites of the year, celebrating the incredible riders, horses, and transformations from the 30 Days to Round Challenge! 🎉

We announced the winners, shared your stories, and reflected on how much progress can happen in just 30 days when you focus on connection, consistency, and kindness. From nervous rides to lightbulb breakthroughs, every participant reminded us what “Dressage for All” truly means.

It started as a crazy idea, could riders really make meaningful progress online in just a month? Turns out, yes. With step-by-step guidance, the results have been amazing year after year.

Congratulations to our Trotter Trophy and Canter Cup winners, plus all the honorable mentions who showed beautiful community spirit and dedication throughout the challenge. You will have to watch to find out who they are!

We talked about how riding’s highs and lows are universal, and how the Strides and 30 Days to Round community makes it easier to stay positive and keep learning. Riders supported each other with kindness and encouragement.

Whether your win this month was a rounder horse, a softer feel, or just showing up for every ride, we’re proud of you. This community proves that Dressage for All isn’t just a motto, it’s something we live every day.

Congratulations to every rider and every horse, you make this journey so special and I couldn't be more proud of you!

Happy riding,

Amelia

PS. Don't forget to RSVP for the free Groundwork Webinar, Sunday November 2nd at 12noon PT.

Introducing Lateral Work Q&A Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

This week’s live was a solo session, Germán was off at a hockey game, so it was just me chatting about introducing lateral work and sharing a few exciting updates from the barn and beyond.

Highlights

Clinic reflections: I taught a clinic in Bakersfield last week at a therapeutic riding center, such a great reminder of how incredible horses are as teachers and partners.

The new Mick series: Our Behind the Scenes with Mick YouTube series launched last weekend! It’s a real look at the ups, downs, and daily work behind bringing a horse up the levels.

30 Days to Round: Final videos are due this weekend! We’ll announce the $10,000 prize winners next Thursday!

Strides focus: This month’s theme is soft, steady hands. Remember Isabelle Werth’s advice — “ride with weak hands.” Less hand, more leg and seat.

World Cup 2026: We’re planning a live, in-person event in Fort Worth with panels and rider training sessions. Stay tuned for RSVP info.

Introducing Lateral Work

We broke down the aids step by stepfor leg yield, shoulder in, and haunches in. Remember to always start with a forward, round horse! Add leg yields at the walk if needed to build suppleness and connection. No mirrors? Try head-to-the-wall leg yields for easy feedback.

Quick tips

Strengthen obliques and glutes (side planks help!) to avoid collapsing at the waist.

If something falls apart, go back to rhythm, balance, and forward, always think about these basics!

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Download my Free Ground Manner PDF right here!

Troubleshooting Flying Changes Q&A Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

This week’s Q&A focused on one of the trickiest moments in dressage training - late or inconsistent flying changes - and how to fix them. We also shared insights from our recent interview with Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery, talked about the importance of solid basics, and gave a sneak peek into the new YouTube series featuring Amelia’s new horse, Mik.

What we covered

Fixing late changes: Straightness and haunches-in before the change help the hind legs come through on time. Keep the canter short, quick, and active, creates air time for a clean change.
Why prevention matters: If a horse learns to do late changes, it’s much harder to undo. Start with correct mechanics early on: solid walk–canter and counter-canter work are key prerequisites.
Prerequisites checklist: The horse must stay straight, through, and active; walk–canter–walk transitions should be precise and responsive.
Rider feel and timing: It’s hard to feel if a change is late behind without someone on the ground. Work with eyes on you whenever possible to confirm timing and build awareness.

Lessons from Sabine Schut-Kery

Consistency builds confidence: Follow a clear system every day - make small corrections before big problems appear.
Basics never go away: Even at Olympic level, Sabine spends time on trot–walk–trot transitions, leg yields, and straightness work. The brilliance in Grand Prix tests comes from endless attention to detail in the basics.
When horses get tense: Don’t punish; redirect. Use tools like leg yields or shoulder-in to channel energy instead of fighting it.

Community and next steps

It’s been inspiring to see everyone’s progress in 30 Days to Round and inside Strides. Keep sharing your wins and questions, we’re all working on the same basics, just at different stages!

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. get $100 off when you enroll in Flying Changes Made Simple this week only, offer ends this Sunday 12th Oct.

Preparing for Flying Changes Q&A Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

Flying changes can feel like one of the biggest hurdles in dressage. This week’s Q&A was all about breaking them down into clear steps, building the right foundation, and staying positive as you and your horse learn together. We also shared some awesome updates from 30 Days to Round.

What we covered

Why preparation matters most: Flying changes don’t start with the change itself. Counter canter, suppleness, and the ability to adjust bend are key prerequisites.
Common struggles: From horses who change late behind or anticipate the change, we discussed how to clarify aids and stay consistent.
Breaking down the system: Every trainer has their own exercises, but the principles stay the same: balance, engagement, clarity, and timing.
Real-life examples: Updates from my work with Mik, and insights from other top trainers.
Rider mindset: Staying mentally fresh when the process feels long, and remembering to return to the training scale (rhythm, suppleness, connection, impulsion, straightness, collection) whenever you’re stuck.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Flying changes aren’t magic, they’re a system. With the right preparation, every horse can learn them. RSVP for my Flying Changes Webinar this Sunday.

Five Training Pillars for Progress Q&A Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

This week’s live Q&A centered on the core training principles that keep you and your horse progressing, even when things get tricky. We also chatted about the new YouTube series launching next month (behind-the-scenes and real-life training!) and shared updates from 30 Days to Round.

What we covered

Timing and proactivity: Don’t wait until your horse grabs the bit or throws the head—ride proactively with bend, flexion, and release before the problem starts.
Breaking it down: Complex movements like half pass can’t be “fixed” inside the half pass. Instead, go back to the components: forward, bend, sideways, alignment—then put it all back together.
Consistency: Just like school for kids, horses develop mental focus and physical strength over years. Little-by-little work creates lifelong progress.
Rider position and clarity: Your seat and shoulders should match the horse’s body in lateral work. Inside seat bone down, shoulders parallel to shoulders, hips with hips. Stay soft, not stiff.
Reward and positivity: Never miss an opportunity to praise. Clear, consistent, positive training helps your horse stay motivated and willing.

Key takeaways

Work on inside rein to inside hind to improve control and suppleness.
Circles and lateral exercises are your go-to when a horse gets heavy, resistant, or pops the head up.
Don’t measure engagement as “always there.” Even Grand Prix horses warm up in a normal trot before reaching true collection. Engagement comes in moments, not minutes.
For younger horses, think “kindergarten attention span.” Keep it short, consistent, and gradually increase both mental focus and physical load.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Don't forget to RSVP for my FREE Flying Changes Webinar on Oct 5th!

Controlling the Shoulders Q&A Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

This week we are zeroing in on controlling the shoulders - how your rein placement, leg aids, and bend keep the forehand on track - plus quick coaching on rehab riding, stiff-sided horses, and whether (or not) to show. 30 Days to Round is underway, and the first live call covered what “forward” really means (spoiler: not just faster).

Highlights

Hands: Left hand stays left, right stays right—no crossing. Ride leg to hand with an elastic feel.
Legs = rails: Inside leg creates bend; outside leg + outside rein control the outside shoulder so it doesn’t leak out.
Rehab on straight lines: Ride shoulder-fore left, then right along the same long side; add only big circles if allowed.
Stiff on one side: Start with 5 minutes of groundwork (turns on the forehand), then ride and change direction often (hard → easy → hard).
“I get it, then lose it”: Return to the sequence: Groundwork → Forward → Bend → Round. Small correct moments build topline strength.

30 Days to Round Recap

Our first live lecture was all about Forward and the recording is now available. Next up is Aids for Roundness on Monday 22nd! I cannot wait for this lecture!

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. There's still time to join 30 Days to Round and catch all of the incredible lectures and content! Check it out here!

Success in Connection Q&A Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

This week we dove into what “connection” really looks and feels like—and how to build it step by step so roundness becomes reliable, rideable, and safe. We also kicked off our favorite event of the year: 30 Days to Round starts Sunday, and riders are already reporting softer, more forward, rounder horses just from working through the prep exercises.

Highlights

Contact vs. Connection
Contact = taking the slack out of the reins with elastic feel.
Connection = whole-horse throughness: hind leg → back → hand, a steady flow of energy.
Why roundness matters?
Safer, more maneuverable horses with lifted backs and engaged hindquarters. Hollow = “hammock” back and defensive mindset; round = strong “arch” and relaxed, focused brain.
The system that works (for real horses). We walked through the four phases we teach in 30 Days to Round:

Groundwork: wake up the topline, keep rides safe, teach the aids first.
Forward: effective on–off leg (no nagging).
Bend (the forgotten ingredient) to dissolve resistance and invite self-carriage.
Round: the result of the first three.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Are you going to join us for 30 Days to Round? We start Sunday 14th, with Orientation at 12noon PT. With weekly live training sessions, weekly Q&A's, and the chance to win a share of the $10,000 prize fund, we'd love for you to join us! Check out 30 Days to Round here!

Finding the Right Frame and Contact Q&A Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

This week’s live was all about one of the trickiest (and most important) topics in dressage: contact and connection. What do those words really mean? How do you find the “right” amount of contact, and how do you help your horse find a frame that’s soft, supple, and sustainable?

We broke it all down with real rider questions and practical answers you can try in your next ride.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The difference between contact (taking the slack out of the reins) and connection (the whole flow of energy through the horse)
How to keep transitions balanced when your horse pulls, dives, or leans
What “the weight of a soda can” has to do with correct rein feel
Why curling behind the vertical or hollowing both come back to engagement
Tips for motivating the “lazy” horse without nagging
How to ride better corners — especially with older or less supple horses
A preview of 30 Days to Round (with $10,000 in prizes) and how it helps retrain contact and roundness step by step

We also shared takeaways from watching the European Championships, where great contact looked effortless, and why “roundness” is about more than a pretty neck — it’s about biomechanics, mental relaxation, and creating a horse that’s truly rideable.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Don't forget to sign up for my free Contact & Connection webinar!

Training for Longevity Q&A Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

This week, Nicole from Team Amelia stepped in to answer your questions on keeping our golden oldies happy, healthy, and moving well into their senior years. Caring for older horses is both a responsibility and a privilege — and with the right adjustments, they can continue to thrive under saddle (and in life) for many years.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why motion is lotion — and the role of turnout, walking, and stretching
Adjusting workload for senior horses, from FEI veterans to steady schoolmasters
Creative warm-up ideas to make those longer walks more effective (and fun!)
How to know when it’s time to step down the workload or fully retire a horse
Fun, low-impact exercises to keep things interesting
Why older horses are treasures — and how sharing them can bring joy to others, too

Nicole also shared practical stories from her own experience — from a Grand Prix jumper turned dressage horse, to the school pony who kept going strong into his 20s, simply because he was ridden round and correctly.

PS. don't forget to RSVP for my free Contact & Connection Webinar – Sept 7th at 12noon PT

PPS. Join Amelia's Dressage Club on Facebook and share your #frame photo for a chance to win entry to 30 Days to Round