Top 3 Riding Principles Q&A

Top 3 Riding Principles Q&A

From Dressage with Amelia by Amelia Newcomb

February 20, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

The episode discusses essential riding principles and foundational dressage terms, emphasizing personalization in training and the importance of mindset.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Amelia Newcomb

Topics covered

  • riding principles
  • dressage basics
  • personalization in training
  • foundational terms
  • mindset in learning

Keywords

  • dressage
  • riding principles
  • training
  • responsiveness
  • independent seat
  • rhythm
  • tempo
  • suppleness
  • visualization

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: 30 Days to Dressage

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