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!