Dressage with Amelia

This week’s Q&A was all about mastering the canter transition, and there were so many helpful takeaways for riders working through the tricky parts of canter departs.

We talked about why the canter can feel intimidating at first. When the horse shifts gears, you really feel the power and strength, and that can make the transition feel a little overwhelming. A big theme in this episode is learning how to feel more confident, more organized, and more prepared in those moments.

We also dive into timing, especially for walk to canter and trot to canter transitions, and discuss why asking at the right moment can make such a difference. There’s a great conversation about preparation too, finding that balance between having your horse ready without over-preparing and accidentally blocking the transition.

We also talk through what to do with horses that throw their head up, get hollow, or rush into a fast trot instead of stepping smoothly into canter. We share some favorite exercises for helping horses stay softer, more balanced, and more connected, including patterns like trot-walk-trot, the snowman, and leg yield into canter.

We also answer questions about picking up the correct lead, what to do when one direction feels harder than the other, and why straightness, timing, and rider position all play such a huge role. There’s a really nice reminder in this episode that canter work is full of nuance, and that sometimes it takes patience and repetition to find the right feel.

If canter transitions have ever felt frustrating, awkward, or inconsistent, this episode will definitely help you better understand what might be happening and give you some practical ideas to try in your rides.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

Last night in “Problem Solving In Riding And Training Q&A,” we had a really fun and practical conversation all about working through the everyday challenges that come up in riding and training. We talked about leg yield and why it is such an important exercise for building suppleness, straightness, and that all-important inside leg to outside rein connection. We also shared updates from the horse show, including some exciting firsts and honest reflections on what it feels like to get back out there and trust the process.
We answered questions on rhythm, tempo, sitting trot, downward transitions, bending, relaxation, and how groundwork can help uncover what is really going on with your horse.
We also talked about the mental side of riding, from patience and confidence to learning how to slow down, stay thoughtful, and make each ride count.
It was such a good reminder that progress is rarely perfect, but every challenge gives us an opportunity to learn. I hope this episode leaves you feeling encouraged, inspired, and a little more confident in your own riding journey.
Happy Riding,
Amelia

In this episode, Nicole from Team Amelia stepped in while I'm away at a horse show and she hosts a live Q&A all about one of the most important concepts in dressage: contact.

Nicole starts by breaking down the difference between contact, connection, and roundness, and explains why good contact isn’t created by the hands alone. It comes from a horse that is moving correctly through the body and a rider who is balanced, aligned, and able to follow the motion.

From there, she answers a variety of great rider questions from the community. The conversation touches on what to do when a horse lifts the head or stays inverted, how to maintain connection through transitions, how rider position affects the feel in the reins, and exercises that help horses learn to stretch into the contact.

If you’ve ever struggled with finding a steady, elastic feel in the reins or wondered why contact sometimes feels inconsistent, this episode offers helpful perspective and practical ideas to try in your own rides.

Thank you for being part of this community and for continuing to learn and grow alongside us!

Happy Riding,

Amelia

Last night's episode was a special Dressage 101 winter webinar to help you kick off your spring with clarity and motivation. If you have been feeling frustrated by the weather, stuck without a plan, or just a little disconnected from your goals, this is your reset.
We talked about why we love dressage in the first place, what dressage actually is, and why it is truly for every horse and every rider. I also share simple ways to keep progressing even when you are not riding consistently, including mindset, visualization, fitness, and groundwork.
Most importantly, I walk you through the four pillar system I use with every horse and rider: groundwork, independent seat, clear aids, and then exercises. When you have a system, you stop feeling lost and start feeling confident.
I hope this gives you a little spark and reminds you that spring is coming and you are absolutely capable of making progress.
Happy Riding,
Amelia
PS If you are ready for a structured spring kick start, 30 Days to Dressage: Foundations with Amelia begins March 1. It is designed to help you confidently say, “I am a dressage rider,” and actually know what to focus on next.

Tonight’s Top Three Riding Principles Q&A was a fun chat all about the basics that never stop mattering, no matter what level you ride at. We talked through key dressage terms (because words have specific meanings), and how having clear definitions helps you understand your trainer, your test sheets, and your own training plan so much faster.
A big theme was personalization: yes, there are frameworks and “systems” that work… but every horse and rider pair needs a slightly different focus. That’s exactly why 30 Days to Dressage starts with an assessment so you know what to prioritize first, and how to build your month in a way that actually fits you.
We also dug into a few foundational terms:
Dressage (yes, it literally means training) and why it’s so much more than movements in an arena
In front of the leg- responsiveness, not speed
Independent seat and why it’s the gateway to clearer aids
The difference between rhythm vs tempo, and why counting is such a powerful tool
Suppleness as both mental + physical relaxation (and how our own tension transfers straight into the horse)
We finished with a really helpful mindset piece: when you’re learning something new, a little tension is normal. The goal is to work in moments; try the thing, then soften, breathe, reset, and try again. And bonus: visualization matters more than we think (hello Winter Olympics inspiration)
If you’re joining 30 Days to Dressage, I can’t wait for Sunday’s training principles lecture,and Nicole’s “plan your month” session is going to help you feel so organized and clear heading into the month. 💛
Happy Riding,
Amelia
PS Download my free 10 Dressage Terms PDF here.