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 webinar recording is only available till 11.59pm PT on Wednesday Nov 5th!

Check out Groundwork Essentials here and get $100 off if you sign up before Sunday Nov 9th.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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!