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.