Advertise on podcast: Dressage with Amelia

I hope you enjoy this podcast version of the Flying Changes Webinar. I would love to see you inside Flying Changes Made Simple, Click here to join! Enrollment closes Oct 18th 11:55pm PT

This episode was a really special one! We started with a special guest interview with Molly Martin, who has been training and showing dressage since the mid-80s, earning every USDF medal (Gold, Silver, Bronze) plus all her Freestyle Bars, before coming together with our Strides students for our Re-Engagement Ceremony, celebrating the vows we’ve made to our horses this month, and recommitting to the partnerships we’re building with them. It was such a meaningful way to celebrate our horses, our progress, and the Strides community. If you are interested in joining our Strides Community, please reach out to [email protected]

This week’s Q&A is a little different as I share an important update about some changes coming this summer. After years of weekly Thursday Night Lives, we’ve decided to take a break from our regular Thursday broadcasts so we can focus more of our time and energy on supporting our students, improving our courses, and developing some exciting new programs behind the scenes. While it’s a bittersweet decision, it’s definitely not goodbye. We’re already brainstorming new ways to connect and share content in the future. In this episode I talk about: Why understanding your dressage scores is essential if you want to improve and move up the levelsThe upcoming webinar, The Truth Behind Low Scores, and what riders often misunderstand about judging and scoringOur Dressage for All month on YouTube, where we’re celebrating different horse breeds and highlighting how every horse can benefit from dressageWhy confidence, partnership, and rideability often matter more than having extravagant movementHow strong basics create better movements and higher scoresThe importance of keeping training interesting with cavaletti, poles, and versatility exercises while always prioritizing safetyMost importantly, I want to thank all of you who have joined us week after week for these Thursday Night Lives. Your questions, comments, support, and even the banter have meant so much to us over the years. We’re looking forward to taking this time to regroup, create, and come back with something even better. Happy Riding, Amelia PS. The Webinar is happening tomorrow, Saturday 13th June at 12noon PT, RSVP here!

This week’s Q&A is all about helping your horse become more forward, light, and responsive to your aids. Nicole stepped in to cover this session and answers questions about horses that are behind the leg, slow to react, or difficult to keep in front of the aids. In this she talks about: How to create a horse that is self-going instead of needing constant leg pressureWhy "aid, reaction, release, repeat" is so important for training responsivenessThe role of transitions in developing better reactions to your aidsHow groundwork can improve responsiveness before you even get in the saddleCreative exercises to motivate horses and make training more engagingOne of the biggest themes in this episode is learning how to use your aids more effectively by rewarding the horse the moment they respond. Nicole explains why constantly pushing can actually make horses duller to the leg and shares practical exercises to help horses become more sensitive, reactive, and easier to ride. There is also a great discussion on using transitions within and between gaits, developing adjustability, troubleshooting horses that lose energy, and using other exercises to improve motivation and responsiveness. If your horse feels lazy, behind the leg, or difficult to keep in front of the aids, this Q&A is packed with practical exercises and simple strategies you can start using right away. Happy Riding, Amelia PS. Next week we'll be celebrating the Canter Challenge and announcing the winners of both the Canter Challenge and the Trotters Trophy, so be sure to join us live!

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 horseWhy preparation matters before shows or new experiencesHow to regroup after injury, setbacks, or time offTips for riders returning after breaks or navigating riding later in lifeOne 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 environmentsWhy groundwork and repetition are so important for young horsesHow to work through spooky behavior, tension, and threshold momentsOne 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 happeningThe foundation for confidence through position, balance, and preparationSimple strategies to build confidence step by stepOne 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 week’s live looked a little different as we wrapped up 30 Days to Dressage and celebrated some of the amazing final projects from riders in the course. We shared a look at the heart behind 30 Days to Dressage and why this program was created to give riders a simple, encouraging starting point with groundwork, rider position, aids, and exercises. One of the best parts of this episode is seeing how creative everyone got with their final projects, from written exams to art pieces, videos, and even songs. A big theme in this episode is that dressage really is for everyone. Riders from all backgrounds and disciplines took part in this course and it helped them build confidence, create more structure in their rides, and better understand how the basics carry over into everything they do with their horses. We also talked about how important it is to keep learning fun, to appreciate the partnership with your horse, and to recognize that steady, consistent work really does add up. There are also a few exciting updates about World Cup in Fort Worth, I would love to see you there! Happy Riding, Amelia PS. My Training Scale Webinar is coming up this Sunday, RSVP here if you have not signed up yet!

This week’s Q&A was a fun mix of rider position, balance, and some great behind the scenes updates from Florida. I was also joined by Nicole from my team, it has been so great to have here for a few days! I shared some great takeaways from my clinic with Sue Martin last weekend. We shared a few exciting updates about wrapping up 30 Days to Dressage, upcoming World Cup plans, and some really encouraging progress with Mik. One of the big themes in this episode is how much consistent training adds up over time, even when it feels like progress is slow in the moment. We also talked through some really helpful rider position ideas, and had a great discussion about posture, lower leg position, and how small rider habits can make a big difference in balance and communication. Then we answered some Strides member questions about canter transitions, lower leg placement, tipping forward in the canter depart, and what to do when horses get inverted or motorbike through the turns. Happy Riding, Amelia PS. Are you joining us at World Cup? We would love to see you there! If you have not RSVP’d yet, here’s the link to save your spot.

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