Check out Strides with Amelia here, enrollment closes Wednesday Jan 7th @11.59pm PT

Check out Strides with Amelia here, enrollment closes Wednesday Jan 7th @11.59pm PT

Check out Strides with Amelia here, enrollment closes Wednesday Jan 7th @11.59pm PT

Last night's Q and A was a really good reminder that progress in dressage is rarely linear and that both riders and horses need space to learn, rest, and reset.

Boot camp is coming up

I shared a quick overview of our New Year boot camp, which starts on December 31 with goal setting and runs for five full days. The focus is not just on setting goals, but on giving you practical tools for rhythm, balance, rider position, connection, and throughness so you start the year with a clear plan and momentum. If you are in Strides, you are already enrolled and have VIP access. Otherwise, make sure you RSVP!

Winter training and groundwork

We talked about winter reality and how to stay productive when riding is limited. In cold or slippery conditions, simple groundwork like hand walking, walk-halt-walk, rein back, and the poll release can be incredibly effective. Safety matters, so footing and common sense always come first.

Riding without your own horse

One great question came from a rider who does not own a horse and was feeling less motivated. Riding different horses can actually make you a stronger rider! When you do not have one horse, your goals can shift toward your position, clarity, and feel rather than what one specific horse can or cannot do.

Staying motivated and redefining consistency

We talked a lot about motivation and consistency. Consistency does not mean riding every day. It can include learning, watching videos, reading, groundwork, fitness, and even rest. Fewer high quality rides with real focus are often better than doing everything every day while exhausted.

Handling setbacks

One of the most important takeaways was about setbacks. Bad days do not mean you are failing or that you will never get there. They are thoughts, not facts. Confidence comes and goes, and so does doubt. What matters is remembering why you ride and allowing yourself to be on your own journey without comparison.

Thank you for being part of these conversations and for bringing such thoughtful questions. I am really looking forward to starting the new year together.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS Bootcamp will be a great way to reset your mindset and your training plan if you are feeling a little stuck or uninspired right now. If you are not a member of Strides, RSVP here to save your spot!

This week’s Growing and Developing With Your Horse Q and A was a really special one, as my mom JoElyn stepped in to host it. She shared so much wisdom from her own riding journey, from choosing horses to developing bend, setting goals, and learning to truly love the horse you have at every stage.

Why bend matters

JoElyn spent time explaining why bend is so foundational. Bend supports safety, helps the horse stay attentive, and allows the inside hind leg to step under and strengthen the body. True bend comes from the rib cage, not just the neck, and you can see it when the head and tail stay on the same line of the circle.

Your body influences the bend

She reminded us that rider position plays a big role. If we collapse or tip, it becomes harder for the horse to bend around the inside leg. Thinking about your alignment and allowing your body to guide the bend can make your aids much clearer and more effective.

Groundwork and patterns

Groundwork is a powerful way to improve bend. Asking for more bend on the ground helps it show up more easily under saddle, and riding clear patterns helps keep both horse and rider organized and balanced.

Goals and long term development

There was a thoughtful discussion about goals, from big long term dreams to small daily steps. Breaking goals down and focusing on rider position, learning, visualization, and consistency helps you make progress even when saddle time is limited.

Loving the horse you have

One of the most touching parts of this conversation was the reminder that loving your horse matters, regardless of the level. Horses can continue to grow, improve, and connect with us deeply, even as their bodies change with age.

Thank you for being part of this community and for bringing so much care and thoughtfulness to your horses and your riding.

Happy riding,

Amelia

PS Bootcamp is coming up soon. If you have not signed up yet, be sure to do that so you do not miss the daily lives, exercises, and motivation to head into the new year feeling focused and inspired. RSVP here for bootcamp. 

Last night’s Q and A was such a fun conversation about horse personalities and how to adjust your riding to match the horse you have. Stacie joined us live, which was a treat because many of you know her from the comments section and as a Strides member. We covered everything from reading your horse’s natural tendencies to adjusting your own energy and building confidence in both young and experienced horses.

Understanding personality

Some horses are hot, some laid back, and many shift depending on our energy. The big takeaway was noticing the small signs and matching your approach. Raise your energy for a dull horse. Slow everything down for a sensitive one.

Groundwork builds confidence

For green or new horses, groundwork is the place to start. Leading, bending, yielding, and responding to pressure help the horse feel safe and give you tools you can use later in the saddle. It has made a huge difference for Stacy and her boys.

The basics always win

Winter is the perfect time to revisit stretching, bending, rhythm, and suppleness. Going back to basics makes everything easier when you start schooling movements again.

Thank you to the Dressage Foundation

We also highlighted the Dressage Foundation and the many grants that support riders. Stacie recently received the Gifted Memorial Grant, and our own “Dressage for All” Youth Fund will award its first grants this spring. Community support truly keeps our sport thriving.

Thank you all for joining and for being part of this amazing community. Your questions and your stories are what make these live sessions so meaningful.

Happy riding

Amelia

PS. Don’t forget to RSVP for Bootcamp coming in January!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Last night Nicole from Team Amelia stepped in to teach a super helpful session on soft hands, following elbows, and how your alignment and seat create the foundation for everything. If you have ever struggled to keep your hands steady, wondered why your elbows lock, or felt like your horse braces when you pick up the contact, this Q&A has so many clear explanations and practical tips you can take straight to the saddle.

Why soft hands start in your seat

Nicole breaks down how your alignment affects your entire arm position and shows why your hands cannot stay quiet unless your seat is absorbing the horse’s motion. She explains the difference between following elbows in walk and canter versus your elbows in the trot and how to feel the movement through your core instead of through your reins.

How to actually teach your horse to listen to lighter aids

Instead of pulling or fussing with the reins, she explains the simple sequence of fingers, wrist, elbow and how horses learn to respond to the smallest whisper when the progression is consistent. She also explains why soft hands are not loose hands and how subtlety always depends on the clarity of your seat.

Understanding the training scale

If your horse feels heavy, braced, or inconsistent in the connection, she explains how the issue rarely starts in the hands. She walks through the steps of the training scale and explains how each layer influences the feeling in your reins.

Following the motion in each gait

She uses her famous shoelace demo to show why your elbows must open and close in walk and canter and why locked elbows in canter lead to tension and loss of balance. She also shares practical tips for keeping your hands from posting with your body in the trot.

Fixing common problems

She also shared some tips for fixing some common problems many riders experience such as reins slipping, how to supple the inside rein when holding a whip, how to feel the horse’s mouth without pulling on it, how to avoid hollowing your back when you bring your shoulders back, and more useful tips!

Coming up

If this Q&A got you thinking about how much your seat influences your hands, my Independent Seat Webinar will take you even deeper, it's at 8am PT on Friday 28th November. RSVP Here! I'll cover how to ride from your core, absorb movement without collapsing, and more! I hope to see you there!

Happy riding

Amelia

This week I'm travelling so Nicole from Team Amelia stepped in to host a Q&A on developing a clearer leg, a softer following seat, and more effective communication with your horse. If you have ever wondered why your aids feel muddled, why your horse braces in transitions, or how to use your seat without gripping or driving, this session is full of ideas that will help everything make more sense.

What she covered:

Nicole breaks down the quiet signals your horse listens for and how subtle changes in your body can transform the feel of your transitions.

Why your inside leg solves more than you think

If leads are tricky, circles lose shape, or your horse drifts through the outside rein, she shares some simple adjustments that make a noticeable difference.

Nicole also shares practical ways to keep communication sharp when your riding time is limited and your horse has extra energy.

Coming up

Grateful Week begins Monday with daily live sessions, and on Thanksgiving morning at 8am PT I will be sharing a very special announcement that I am incredibly excited about. I hope to see you there live.

Happy riding

Amelia

In this week’s Q and A we focused on creating real suppleness and throughness in your horse. We also talked about gratitude month and shared a few updates from around the barn.

What we covered:

• Turn on the forehand

This simple exercise is one of the best ways to unlock the inside hind leg and soften the ribs. You can start from the ground or under saddle. It improves control, helps refocus a distracted horse, and prepares the body for leg yields and shoulder in.

• Suppleness from groundwork and circle work

For horses that struggle to bend, begin with bending on the ground, then add spirals and circles. Long backed horses especially benefit from this combination.

• Rider position matters

Only a balanced rider can give correct aids. When you are centered and soft, your horse can move with more relaxation and swing.

Takeaways from the Cark Hester masterclass

We also shared some of our favourite insights from Carl Hester's master class that I attended last weekend. He had powerful thoughts on balance, stretching, straightness, and how he uses simple exercises to create real change.

Coming up

To celebrate Thanksgiving, we have Grateful Week coming up with daily live sessions, a Black Friday webinar on the independent seat, and a special Thanksgiving announcement that I cannot wait to share with you.

Thank you for joining us and for the work you put into improving yourself and your horse. Suppleness comes from patient, thoughtful communication and steady practice.

Happy riding

Amelia

PS. Check out the Inside Leg to Outside Rein Workshop here.

This week’s Thursday Live was all about building confidence, on the ground and in the saddle.

Germán and I dove into one of the most important (and challenging!) parts of riding: staying calm, clear, and confident, even when things go wrong. From groundwork foundations to recovering after a fall, we shared stories, tips, and personal lessons that every rider can relate to.

We also talked about:

• The importance of groundwork and how it helps your horse relax and trust you
• Why your horse’s frame of body reflects their frame of mind (thank you, Chris Irwin!)
• Our Groundwork Essentials course, and why it’s such a game-changer for connection and confidence
• Our upcoming trip to the Carl Hester Masterclass (stay tuned for next week’s takeaways!)
• A behind-the-scenes story about how groundwork actually brought us together
• Clinic reflections with Albrecht and some breakthroughs with both our horses

We also answered your live Q&A questions, including:

• How to keep your horse active without constant nagging
• What to do after your horse (or you) has had a scary fall
• How to rebuild trust and confidence through small, consistent wins
• Understanding whether your horse is “hot” or “laid back”, and how to adapt your approach

One of our favorite reminders from this chat:

“You want to be the thermostat, not the thermometer.”

Confidence doesn’t come from pretending you’re not afraid, it comes from time, miles, and layering positive experiences until both you and your horse start to trust again.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Groundwork Essentials is $100 off this week. You’ll get step-by-step videos, problem-solving lessons, and video feedback sessions to help you build calm, confidence, and connection from the ground up.

This week’s live session was one of our favorites of the year, celebrating the incredible riders, horses, and transformations from the 30 Days to Round Challenge! 🎉

We announced the winners, shared your stories, and reflected on how much progress can happen in just 30 days when you focus on connection, consistency, and kindness. From nervous rides to lightbulb breakthroughs, every participant reminded us what “Dressage for All” truly means.

It started as a crazy idea, could riders really make meaningful progress online in just a month? Turns out, yes. With step-by-step guidance, the results have been amazing year after year.

Congratulations to our Trotter Trophy and Canter Cup winners, plus all the honorable mentions who showed beautiful community spirit and dedication throughout the challenge. You will have to watch to find out who they are!

We talked about how riding’s highs and lows are universal, and how the Strides and 30 Days to Round community makes it easier to stay positive and keep learning. Riders supported each other with kindness and encouragement.

Whether your win this month was a rounder horse, a softer feel, or just showing up for every ride, we’re proud of you. This community proves that Dressage for All isn’t just a motto, it’s something we live every day.

Congratulations to every rider and every horse, you make this journey so special and I couldn't be more proud of you!

Happy riding,

Amelia

PS. Don't forget to RSVP for the free Groundwork Webinar, Sunday November 2nd at 12noon PT.

This week’s live was a solo session, Germán was off at a hockey game, so it was just me chatting about introducing lateral work and sharing a few exciting updates from the barn and beyond.

Highlights

Clinic reflections: I taught a clinic in Bakersfield last week at a therapeutic riding center, such a great reminder of how incredible horses are as teachers and partners.

The new Mick series: Our Behind the Scenes with Mick YouTube series launched last weekend! It’s a real look at the ups, downs, and daily work behind bringing a horse up the levels.

30 Days to Round: Final videos are due this weekend! We’ll announce the $10,000 prize winners next Thursday!

Strides focus: This month’s theme is soft, steady hands. Remember Isabelle Werth’s advice — “ride with weak hands.” Less hand, more leg and seat.

World Cup 2026: We’re planning a live, in-person event in Fort Worth with panels and rider training sessions. Stay tuned for RSVP info.

Introducing Lateral Work

We broke down the aids step by stepfor leg yield, shoulder in, and haunches in. Remember to always start with a forward, round horse! Add leg yields at the walk if needed to build suppleness and connection. No mirrors? Try head-to-the-wall leg yields for easy feedback.

Quick tips

Strengthen obliques and glutes (side planks help!) to avoid collapsing at the waist.

If something falls apart, go back to rhythm, balance, and forward, always think about these basics!

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Download my Free Ground Manner PDF right here! 

This week’s Q&A focused on one of the trickiest moments in dressage training - late or inconsistent flying changes - and how to fix them. We also shared insights from our recent interview with Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery, talked about the importance of solid basics, and gave a sneak peek into the new YouTube series featuring Amelia’s new horse, Mik.

What we covered

• Fixing late changes: Straightness and haunches-in before the change help the hind legs come through on time. Keep the canter short, quick, and active, creates air time for a clean change.
• Why prevention matters: If a horse learns to do late changes, it’s much harder to undo. Start with correct mechanics early on: solid walk–canter and counter-canter work are key prerequisites.
• Prerequisites checklist: The horse must stay straight, through, and active; walk–canter–walk transitions should be precise and responsive.
• Rider feel and timing: It’s hard to feel if a change is late behind without someone on the ground. Work with eyes on you whenever possible to confirm timing and build awareness.

Lessons from Sabine Schut-Kery

• Consistency builds confidence: Follow a clear system every day - make small corrections before big problems appear.
• Basics never go away: Even at Olympic level, Sabine spends time on trot–walk–trot transitions, leg yields, and straightness work. The brilliance in Grand Prix tests comes from endless attention to detail in the basics.
• When horses get tense: Don’t punish; redirect. Use tools like leg yields or shoulder-in to channel energy instead of fighting it.

Community and next steps

It’s been inspiring to see everyone’s progress in 30 Days to Round and inside Strides. Keep sharing your wins and questions, we’re all working on the same basics, just at different stages!

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. get $100 off when you enroll in Flying Changes Made Simple this week only, offer ends this Sunday 12th Oct.

Flying changes can feel like one of the biggest hurdles in dressage. This week’s Q&A was all about breaking them down into clear steps, building the right foundation, and staying positive as you and your horse learn together. We also shared some awesome updates from 30 Days to Round.

What we covered

• Why preparation matters most: Flying changes don’t start with the change itself. Counter canter, suppleness, and the ability to adjust bend are key prerequisites.
• Common struggles: From horses who change late behind or anticipate the change, we discussed how to clarify aids and stay consistent.
• Breaking down the system: Every trainer has their own exercises, but the principles stay the same: balance, engagement, clarity, and timing.
• Real-life examples: Updates from my work with Mik, and insights from other top trainers.
• Rider mindset: Staying mentally fresh when the process feels long, and remembering to return to the training scale (rhythm, suppleness, connection, impulsion, straightness, collection) whenever you’re stuck.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Flying changes aren’t magic, they’re a system. With the right preparation, every horse can learn them. RSVP for my Flying Changes Webinar this Sunday. 

This week’s live Q&A centered on the core training principles that keep you and your horse progressing, even when things get tricky. We also chatted about the new YouTube series launching next month (behind-the-scenes and real-life training!) and shared updates from 30 Days to Round.

What we covered

• Timing and proactivity: Don’t wait until your horse grabs the bit or throws the head—ride proactively with bend, flexion, and release before the problem starts.
• Breaking it down: Complex movements like half pass can’t be “fixed” inside the half pass. Instead, go back to the components: forward, bend, sideways, alignment—then put it all back together.
• Consistency: Just like school for kids, horses develop mental focus and physical strength over years. Little-by-little work creates lifelong progress.
• Rider position and clarity: Your seat and shoulders should match the horse’s body in lateral work. Inside seat bone down, shoulders parallel to shoulders, hips with hips. Stay soft, not stiff.
• Reward and positivity: Never miss an opportunity to praise. Clear, consistent, positive training helps your horse stay motivated and willing.

Key takeaways

• Work on inside rein to inside hind to improve control and suppleness.
• Circles and lateral exercises are your go-to when a horse gets heavy, resistant, or pops the head up.
• Don’t measure engagement as “always there.” Even Grand Prix horses warm up in a normal trot before reaching true collection. Engagement comes in moments, not minutes.
• For younger horses, think “kindergarten attention span.” Keep it short, consistent, and gradually increase both mental focus and physical load.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Don't forget to RSVP for my FREE Flying Changes Webinar on Oct 5th!

This week we are zeroing in on controlling the shoulders - how your rein placement, leg aids, and bend keep the forehand on track - plus quick coaching on rehab riding, stiff-sided horses, and whether (or not) to show. 30 Days to Round is underway, and the first live call covered what “forward” really means (spoiler: not just faster).

Highlights

• Hands: Left hand stays left, right stays right—no crossing. Ride leg to hand with an elastic feel.
• Legs = rails: Inside leg creates bend; outside leg + outside rein control the outside shoulder so it doesn’t leak out.
• Rehab on straight lines: Ride shoulder-fore left, then right along the same long side; add only big circles if allowed.
• Stiff on one side: Start with 5 minutes of groundwork (turns on the forehand), then ride and change direction often (hard → easy → hard).
• “I get it, then lose it”: Return to the sequence: Groundwork → Forward → Bend → Round. Small correct moments build topline strength.

30 Days to Round Recap

• Our first live lecture was all about Forward and the recording is now available. Next up is Aids for Roundness on Monday 22nd! I cannot wait for this lecture!

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. There's still time to join 30 Days to Round and catch all of the incredible lectures and content! Check it out here!

This week we dove into what “connection” really looks and feels like—and how to build it step by step so roundness becomes reliable, rideable, and safe. We also kicked off our favorite event of the year: 30 Days to Round starts Sunday, and riders are already reporting softer, more forward, rounder horses just from working through the prep exercises.

Highlights

• Contact vs. Connection
• Contact = taking the slack out of the reins with elastic feel.
• Connection = whole-horse throughness: hind leg → back → hand, a steady flow of energy.
• Why roundness matters?
• Safer, more maneuverable horses with lifted backs and engaged hindquarters. Hollow = “hammock” back and defensive mindset; round = strong “arch” and relaxed, focused brain.
• The system that works (for real horses). We walked through the four phases we teach in 30 Days to Round:

1. Groundwork: wake up the topline, keep rides safe, teach the aids first.
2. Forward: effective on–off leg (no nagging).
3. Bend (the forgotten ingredient) to dissolve resistance and invite self-carriage.
4. Round: the result of the first three.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Are you going to join us for 30 Days to Round? We start Sunday 14th, with Orientation at 12noon PT. With weekly live training sessions, weekly Q&A's, and the chance to win a share of the $10,000 prize fund, we'd love for you to join us! Check out 30 Days to Round here!

This week’s live was all about one of the trickiest (and most important) topics in dressage: contact and connection. What do those words really mean? How do you find the “right” amount of contact, and how do you help your horse find a frame that’s soft, supple, and sustainable?

We broke it all down with real rider questions and practical answers you can try in your next ride.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The difference between contact (taking the slack out of the reins) and connection (the whole flow of energy through the horse)
• How to keep transitions balanced when your horse pulls, dives, or leans
• What “the weight of a soda can” has to do with correct rein feel
• Why curling behind the vertical or hollowing both come back to engagement
• Tips for motivating the “lazy” horse without nagging
• How to ride better corners — especially with older or less supple horses
• A preview of 30 Days to Round (with $10,000 in prizes) and how it helps retrain contact and roundness step by step

We also shared takeaways from watching the European Championships, where great contact looked effortless, and why “roundness” is about more than a pretty neck — it’s about biomechanics, mental relaxation, and creating a horse that’s truly rideable.

Happy Riding,

Amelia

PS. Don't forget to sign up for my free Contact & Connection webinar!

This week, Nicole from Team Amelia stepped in to answer your questions on keeping our golden oldies happy, healthy, and moving well into their senior years. Caring for older horses is both a responsibility and a privilege — and with the right adjustments, they can continue to thrive under saddle (and in life) for many years.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why motion is lotion — and the role of turnout, walking, and stretching
• Adjusting workload for senior horses, from FEI veterans to steady schoolmasters
• Creative warm-up ideas to make those longer walks more effective (and fun!)
• How to know when it’s time to step down the workload or fully retire a horse
• Fun, low-impact exercises to keep things interesting
• Why older horses are treasures — and how sharing them can bring joy to others, too

Nicole also shared practical stories from her own experience — from a Grand Prix jumper turned dressage horse, to the school pony who kept going strong into his 20s, simply because he was ridden round and correctly.

PS. don't forget to RSVP for my free Contact & Connection Webinar – Sept 7th at 12noon PT

PPS. Join Amelia's Dressage Club on Facebook and share your #frame photo for a chance to win entry to 30 Days to Round