Dressage with 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.

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 💛