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.