06/03/2026
๐ดโจ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ & ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ #๐๐: ๐๐ข๐คโ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ โจ๐ด
This episode feels especially rewarding because I finally got to see all of the hard work starting to come together with Mik. ๐ A few months ago, I honestly felt stuck. I remember wondering if the changes were ever going to feel consistent or organized. Now suddenlyโฆ we're starting to put multiple changes together, preparing for tempis, and even beginning to touch on pirouette work. ๐
In this ride, I'm taking a lesson with one of my very first dressage trainers, Sue Martin. โค I always love lessons like this because they remind me that no matter how long you've been riding, there's always more to learn. Sometimes one small adjustment completely changes the feeling. ๐
What I loved most about this lesson was how much of the focus came back to the basics. โ๏ธ Straightness. Balance. Connection. Staying organized in the canter instead of getting bigger and running through the aids. It was such a good reminder that the flashy movements only improve when the foundation is truly there. ๐ช
So in this episode, we're diving into:
โจ Flying change quality
How to improve the canter before and after the change so the movement stays balanced and rideable.
โ๏ธ Straightness after the change
Why landing straight is one of the biggest keys to preparing for tempis.
๐ฏ Adjustability in the canter
Exercises to help Mik collect, rebalance, and stay organized without losing energy.
๐ญ Not celebrating too early
A small mindset shift that made a huge difference in the quality of the changes afterward.
๐ด Riding from the body, not the hands
Learning to support the horse with position and balance instead of holding with the reins.
๐ Building toward tempis
How we're starting to connect changes together while keeping Mik relaxed and confident.
๐งฉ Letting the horse carry himself
Why giving after the half-halt is just as important as the half-halt itself.
One thing I've learned over and over with Mik is that progress rarely happens in a straight line. ๐ Sometimes it feels like nothing is changingโฆ and then suddenly all the small pieces start clicking together at once. ๐
This ride was also such a good reminder that every horse develops differently. ๐ Mik has a huge canter and so much talent for the changes, but he still needs time to learn how to stay balanced, straight, and organized afterward. And honestly, that's normal. ๐
I think as riders we sometimes get so focused on "getting" the movement that we forget the real goal is quality. โ
Not just doing the flying change, but doing it in balance, with relaxation, and in a way that sets the horse up for the next step.
And that's really what good training is all about. ๐ Coming back to the basics, making adjustments in the moment, and helping the horse gain confidence one ride at a time.
๐ฅ Comment "watch now" below and I'll send you the link to watch the full episode to follow Mik's progress toward tempis, hear Sue Martin's coaching in real time, and see the exercises we're using to improve balance, straightness, and adjustability in the canter.
Happy Riding! ๐ด
Amelia
๐ P.S. If you enjoyed this video, you'll love the webinar I'm hosting this next weekend. ๐ It is all about working on the basics using the Training Scale in order to improve your test scores and successfully move up the levels. It's free to attend, and in it, I will be going over:
๐น Why you're stuck and not moving up the levels
๐น What the judge is actually looking for
๐น How the Training Scale will develop a horse that is happy and willing, and improve your scores.
๐ Check the comments below for the link to save your seat!
