Dressage with Amelia

Last night’s Q&A was a fun little life update from Florida and everything happening with the horses lately. I did try to do the live from the barn, but the internet completely failed… and of course we had an interruption from Messi barking in the background too!
I shared about Kensington and how much I’ve been enjoying riding him out in the fields lately. We’ve been schooling pirouettes & flying changes out in the open, and I honestly think he enjoys the variety so much more. I love mixing things up and finding ways to make training more fun for both me and the horses.
There’s an update on Mik and how exciting it’s been to finally get his flying changes confirmed and start working on tempi's with him. It’s been such a rewarding process bringing him along over the past year.
I’ve been filming lots of new Strides content with Future for our upcoming biomechanics month, plus talking about Harvey’s journey and how special it’s been having him back in work and happily going in a hackamore.
One of my favorite parts of the week was our older rider webinar. Hearing everyone’s stories and perseverance was honestly so inspiring, and it reminded me how incredible our horse community really is.
I chat a little about the upcoming show webinar and some of the common mistakes I see riders making during show season, along with tips to help you feel more confident, prepared, and successful in the show ring. Will I see you the? Click here to RSVP as I’ll be sharing some of my best tips to help you improve your rides and your scores!
Happy Riding,
Amelia

This week’s Q&A is all about making progress toward your goals, even when the timeline changes, setbacks happen, or you feel like you’re on a plateau.
In this episode, Germán and I talk about:
How to set realistic goals for yourself and your horse
Why preparation matters before shows or new experiences
How to regroup after injury, setbacks, or time off
Tips for riders returning after breaks or navigating riding later in life
One of the biggest themes in this episode is learning to break big goals into smaller, more manageable pieces. Whether you’re preparing a young horse for their first outing, coming back after a break, or working through frustration when progress feels slow, I share practical reminders about patience, consistency, and celebrating the little wins along the way.
We also talk about the learning process, video reviews, the canter challenge, staying fit as a rider, knowing the difference between being hurt and being injured, and giving both yourself and your horse the time you need to build confidence.
Happy Riding,
Amelia
P.S. RSVP for my webinar happening this Tuesday, especially if you’re a slightly older rider looking to stay confident, strong, and inspired in the saddle!

This week’s Q&A is all about riding young and green horses, from building confidence and consistency to working through the inevitable bumps along the way. Nicole answers your questions about helping green horses feel more relaxed, rideable, and successful both at home and in new environments.
In this she talks about:
How to help green horses stay confident at shows and in new environments
Why groundwork and repetition are so important for young horses
How to work through spooky behavior, tension, and threshold moments
One of the biggest themes in this episode is the importance of preparation and keeping horses under threshold so they can continue learning without becoming overwhelmed. She explains how groundwork, bending exercises, consistency, and thoughtful repetition can help horses feel safer and more confident while also giving riders better tools to handle challenging situations.
There is also a great discussion on introducing tack, building better transitions, teaching rein back, handling mounting block issues, improving contact and responsiveness to the aids, and deciding when horses are ready to progress to more difficult work. If you’re working with a young horse, restarting a horse, or helping a sensitive horse gain confidence, this Q&A is packed with practical exercises and helpful reminders.
Happy Riding,
Amelia
PS, don't forget to RSVP for my Free Training Scale Webinar.

This week's live Q&A was all about preparing for the canter and the 5 essential elements that set you and your horse up for success.
We talked about why the canter feels so different from the walk and trot, shared some stories from riders who've been there (including a horse who went from bucking and head-tossing to round and soft in just 30 days), and covered some of the most common roadblocks like explosive transitions, wrong leads, and that moment where your brain just stops working the second you pick up the canter.
There are also some really helpful takeaways on groundwork, why your trot quality matters more than most people realize, how to close the energy gap between gaits so departures stop feeling like an event, and why visualization is one of the most underrated tools for riders.
We also talked about knowing when you're ready, and why it's always better to wait one more minute than to create a problem you didn't need to have.
Happy Riding,
Amelia
PS. The 30 Day Canter Challenge starts today! If you're a Strides member, you are automatically enrolled. If you're not in Strides, you can check it out here!

This week’s Q&A is all about the canter seat and how to feel more secure, balanced, and confident in the canter.
We shared a few canter stories, talked about why the canter can feel so powerful, and broke down some of the most common rider position challenges, like leaning forward, holding your breath, gripping with your knees, locking your elbows, or trying too hard to “make” the motion happen.
There are also some really helpful takeaways on looking up through the transition, staying balanced on a circle, keeping tone without getting tight, and learning how to follow the canter without overdoing it.
We also talked about why preparation matters so much, especially for adult riders or anyone rebuilding confidence. The better you understand the steps, the aid, and what your body needs to do, the easier it is to set yourself and your horse up for success.
Happy Riding, Amelia
PS. The 30 Day Canter Challenge starts May 1, If you're a Strides member, you are automatically enrolled, if you're not in Strides, you can check it out here!