Dressage with Amelia

This Valentine’s Day live was very on brand for us… horse time at the barn! We had a very patient Future wearing bows, ribbons, and full Valentine’s Day decorations (please tell me in the comments… on a scale of 1–10, how fabulous was he).
The real theme was something I talk about all the time: learning to love your ride. Because when you don’t know what to do, you don’t feel safe, and you can’t communicate clearly with your horse, it’s hard to truly enjoy it. But when you have a plan and you understand the “why,” riding becomes fun again and you start feeling that connection we’re all chasing.
We focused on the four pillars that I use as my foundation every single ride (no matter the horse or the level):
Groundwork
Independent seat
The aids
Exercises
Thank you for spending part of your Valentine’s Day with us!
Happy riding,
Amelia
PS. And if you’re wanting a clear, supportive way to build those foundations, this is exactly what my new program is built around: 30 Days to Dressage Foundations with Amelia. It officially starts March 1st and it’s designed as a 30 day kickstart to get you feeling confident and ready for spring and summer riding.

Last night we had so much fun with For the Love of the Horse – You CAN Ride Dressage Trivia Night, hosted by Nicole.
It was such a lighthearted and energizing way to celebrate Valentine’s weekend together. We tested our knowledge on dressage terms, basics, and key concepts, and it was amazing to see how much everyone already knows… and how much we’re all still learning.
What I loved most was the feeling of community. Riders at all different stages coming together, laughing, thinking, learning, and just enjoying the process. That’s what this sport is really about. Loving our horses. Loving the journey. And realizing that yes, you can ride dressage.
I hope you play along and see how many you get right 😉
So grateful for this community 💛
Amelia
PS, check out my FREE PDF "10 Dressage Terms Every Rider Should Know"!

This episode kicks off our Valentine’s Day weekend series, and it’s all about the love of the horse and what actually makes riders successful in dressage.
We share three simple truths.
Dressage benefits every horse, physically and mentally, no matter their breed or “type.”
Kicking and pulling doesn’t create harmony, so if you feel stuck in that cycle, it’s a sign to pause and change the approach.
And lessons matter, but they can’t be the only thing, because progress comes faster when you’re also learning between rides through good education, ideas, and a system you can follow.
You’ll also hear some of our favourite transformation stories, including Sparky and Chocolate, plus a really helpful reminder about not over facing your horse. Break everything into smaller pieces, build confidence, and let it take the time it takes.
We answer some great community questions too, why so many riders feel stuck at Training and First Level, and how judges score tests. The big takeaway is to keep measuring you versus you, use feedback as information, and stay focused on the journey with your horse.
Happy Riding,
Amelia
PS tonight, Friday Feb 13th, Nicole is hosting a fun trivia night, if you want to join that live you can join it here on YouTube, then Saturday we’re live from the barn, and Sunday we’re back again for another live chat.
And don’t forget to share why you love to ride with #ILoveRiding for a chance to win enrollment in 30 Days to Dressage Foundations with Amelia 💛

This week’s Q&A was a mix of real-life Florida barn chaos updates (frozen pipes, frozen water, and Germán learning how to break ice for horses 😅) and a really useful training discussion on how to shape your rides for progress.
Germán kicked things off with a short reading on the theory of the aids, and we talked about how good riding comes down to clarity, consistency, and (most importantly) timing. We covered why your aids shouldn’t be “on” all the time, how to get your horse truly in front of the leg, and why your seat can either allow the movement through… or block everything.
Then we answered rider questions on:
How to make a plan for your ride (and adjust it when your horse tells you the plan isn’t happening today)
What to do when you feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start (hint: come back to rhythm and the basics)
How to use the whip effectively for a laid-back horse without creating resistance (and my simple whip “re-sensitizing” exercise)
I hope this helps you go into your next ride with a clearer plan and a better feel for what to focus on first.
Next week we’ve got a little Valentine’s weekend series with extra lives and a “love of the horse” theme planned, stay tuned!
Amelia
PS. Download my free 10 Dressage Terms PDF here!

This week’s live was a fun mix of posting trot chat, Strides Q&As, some Florida move updates, and of course a little groundwork talk.
We covered how to post without slapping down into the saddle, why sitting trot is better with shorter, high quality moments, and how to think about lengthening the trot as longer steps rather than just faster steps. We also touched on simple rider focus points like looking through your horse’s ears to help with straightness, plus a few easy groundwork ideas to support your horse’s back and topline.
I shared a little bit about my free “10 terms every rider should know” PDF, breaking down common dressage jargon in a clear, simple way, and a sneak peek at a new course coming soon that builds on topline, throughness, and correct basics.
Enjoy the episode, and thank you for being here!
Happy Riding,
Amelia
PS. Download that "10 Terms Every Rider Should Know" here!