Dressage with Amelia

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!

This week’s Q&A is a mini webinar all about overcoming canter anxiety and building confidence step by step. Nicole shares a really helpful perspective on why the canter can feel so intimidating, and how breaking it down into smaller, more manageable pieces can make it feel so much more doable.
In this mini-webinar, you’ll learn:
Why the canter feels so intimidating and what’s really happening
The foundation for confidence through position, balance, and preparation
Simple strategies to build confidence step by step
One of the biggest themes in this session is that confidence comes from preparation. She talks through the key foundations that make the canter feel safer and more rideable, from position and balance to the trot exercises that directly support better canter work. There is also a great discussion on how improving the basics can take away that feeling of surprise and give riders more control.
Nicole also shares a simple exercise, “bookending the canter” that is especially helpful for nervous riders, plus answers questions about rushing, unstable lower legs, horses that speed up instead of striking off, and how to rebuild confidence after setbacks. If the canter has ever felt overwhelming, this episode has a lot of encouragement and practical ideas to help you feel more secure.
Download the free canter checklist here.
Happy Riding,
Amelia
PS. The Canter Challenge is now open for enrollment, so if this is something you’re working on right now, it’s perfect timing to dive in a bit deeper. Check it out here.

This is a sample ride-along podcast that goes along with my 30 Day Canter Challenge. Learn more about the challenge and more ride-along podcasts like this one here. The Challenge starts May 1st!