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Dressage Rider Position: Master These 3 Things!!!

What makes someone a good Dressage rider? Do you aspire to become a better rider? Here are 3 things to work on that ALL the top riders in this sport (like Steffen Peters or Catherine Dufor) have in common.

1. Your Seat – The main function of your seat is to absorb the motion of your horses’ movement. Your seat must stay connected to the saddle at all times and move in perfect harmony with the horse. All the top riders in this sport have amazing seats!!

2. Symmetry – Dressage requires that the horse be straight and symmetrical. This means that we, too must be straight and symmetrical. It is impossible to expect the horse to be straight when the rider is crooked. It is absolutely essential that as riders we exercise and work on straightness and symmetry.

3. Independent Aids – To be an effective rider, you must be able to ISOLATE your aids. This means, give a leg aid without pulling on the reins. Or use your reins without looking up the seat. The ability to isolate and control your aids is essential.

If you’re interested in studying the details of correct rider position and learning specific unmounted group exercises to improve your riding sign up for my online webinar- https://amelianewcombdressage.com/free-rider-position-webinar-o/

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
A smiling woman wearing a helmet and riding gear stands beside a chestnut horse with a black bridle and white saddle pad, holding its reins outdoors in a sunlit, green setting.
Hey there.
I'm Amelia Newcomb
At Amelia Newcomb Dressage, I work to develop a trusting and confident relationship between horse and rider. I draw on theories from both natural horsemanship and classical dressage, creating a holistic training approach that adapts to the unique needs of each horse and rider.
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A person wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and navy riding attire is riding a dark brown horse in an outdoor arena surrounded by greenery. This scene captures the focus often discussed in our rider mindset webinar. The horse sports white leg wraps and a bridle.
FEATURED COURSE
Rider Position Masterclass. Uniquely designed, this masterclass teaches you why and how to improve your rider position and become the rider you dream of. Your horse cannot listen to your aids if your hands are bouncing, your seat is crooked and your legs are floppy. This masterclass teaches you use your core and the exact muscles to communicate well with your horse.
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Rated 5 out of 5
I want to thank Amelia from the bottom of my heart for creating this group and learning module for us. I've followed your suggestions religiously even when it felt like we were hitting a wall at times. Finally, it all came through, all at once! I never thought I'd get a connection and have such light hands in the left lead canter, and yesterday we pulled off a 7 in left canter and an 8.5 in right canter in our WDAA Basic 1 test, with a total score of 67.3!
Amber Primm
Amber Primm
Holy Moly. I just learned that I earned 1st place at Training 1 with 5 entries in the class in a virtual show. I received a 65.00. Wow. This is starting to work. Thank you Amelia. Thank you supportive new friends. I encourage you all to try virtual shows. I have tried Greystone, Lower Puget Sound and Oregon. Very helpful for building confidence. I really support this idea. It works like this: you ride at home, send in your video, and then you receive your test with judge comments and your ribbon in the mail. See you all in Strides!!
Joanna Sachs
Joanna Sachs
We see and feel the difference!! Thank you Amelia for this difficult but very helpful program. Our #1 issue was giraffe head in transitions. Downward as well as up. Don't look at my position, I was giving everything to the aids for him to maintain roundness in the trans. Now it will be time to work on our position more!
Carol Anne Marano
Carol Anne Marano
I can't stop making progress, thanks to this awesome program. Today my horse and I could do the counter canter on both hands on the first attempt without our trainer.. Thank you so much for explaining my missing parts! I have to wait until tomorrow, 8 hours of time difference, to see who is the lucky one, but I think we are all lucky to join this incredible program!!
Sandra Künkel
Sandra Künkel
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A person wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and navy riding attire is riding a dark brown horse in an outdoor arena surrounded by greenery. This scene captures the focus often discussed in our rider mindset webinar. The horse sports white leg wraps and a bridle.
Rider Position Masterclass
Rider Position Masterclass. Uniquely designed, this masterclass teaches you why and how to improve your rider position and become the rider you dream of. Your horse cannot listen to your aids if your hands are bouncing, your seat is crooked and your legs are floppy. This masterclass teaches you use your core and the exact muscles to communicate well with your horse.
ENROLL NOW
A person riding a horse with an independent seat is silhouetted against the bright sun, creating a lens flare effect. The rider is wearing a patterned shirt and sitting in a saddle. The background is softly lit and slightly blurred.
Independent Seat
A focused, step-by-step workshop to help you develop a secure, balanced, and independent seat so you can move in harmony with your horse. Through simple, practical exercises both in and out of the saddle, you’ll learn to follow the motion, give clearer aids, and create a more relaxed, connected ride. Perfect if you struggle with sitting trot, stability, or feeling truly in sync with your horse.
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To ride well, you need proper alignment, flexibility, strength, and stamina. Since we all have limited time in the saddle, this workshop will really help you to boost your progress and transform your position.
ENROLL NOW
A person wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and navy riding attire is riding a dark brown horse in an outdoor arena surrounded by greenery. This scene captures the focus often discussed in our rider mindset webinar. The horse sports white leg wraps and a bridle.
Rider Position Masterclass
Rider Position Masterclass. Uniquely designed, this masterclass teaches you why and how to improve your rider position and become the rider you dream of. Your horse cannot listen to your aids if your hands are bouncing, your seat is crooked and your legs are floppy. This masterclass teaches you use your core and the exact muscles to communicate well with your horse.
ENROLL NOW
A person riding a horse with an independent seat is silhouetted against the bright sun, creating a lens flare effect. The rider is wearing a patterned shirt and sitting in a saddle. The background is softly lit and slightly blurred.
Independent Seat
A focused, step-by-step workshop to help you develop a secure, balanced, and independent seat so you can move in harmony with your horse. Through simple, practical exercises both in and out of the saddle, you’ll learn to follow the motion, give clearer aids, and create a more relaxed, connected ride. Perfect if you struggle with sitting trot, stability, or feeling truly in sync with your horse.
ENROLL NOW
A special blet for dressage lessons and riding muscles
Amelia’s Rider Fitness Program
To ride well, you need proper alignment, flexibility, strength, and stamina. Since we all have limited time in the saddle, this workshop will really help you to boost your progress and transform your position.
ENROLL NOW

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