My Riding Story - Where I started and How I got Here!

[@Truther44]

Thank you for posting this! It helped a lot being 65 and starting all over after 30 years. Sometimes I think I’m crazy starting again but my heart and soul won’t let me forget my passion

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes!! For sure!! Glad you are back at it!

[@Truther44]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage hi! I’d like to start with one of your training programs but don’t know which one to start

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Start with one of our workshops: amelianewcombdressage.com/workshops/

[@ritaangel8736]

I really appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your story. I have learned more from watching your videos than I have taking riding lessons. I really enjoy when you break down the process of what you are doing, and why. I recently bought a 4 year old thoroughbred off the track and I am riding after a 20 year hiatus. I feel so frustrated because I feel I am the worst rider ever. My horse is very calm though and tolerates my bouncing and accidental pulling on him. I now have a trainer that is teaching us both the groundwork as a new rider and horse. We are both growing together and I am glad to know I am not the only frustrated rider out there. I know that what I need is practice, practice, practice and that it takes time. I too was a crazy horse girl, and still am at 55. My second husband is very supportive and without him I would never would have been able to fulfill my dream of owning a horse again. I am glad that you have a desire to help kids because that is where the passion begins. I hope you continue with your videos! I love watching them and learning!

[@yvonnekiwior9633]

I just watched your story tonight and I feel honored to know you that much more. You have an incredible life and I agree SHARING with children is so rewarding. I have a granddaughter who just turned 14 and I have been watching her ride for about seven years now. She has had alot of fun and Ive had so many pleasurable moments watching her at almost all her lessons. When Children are succeeding at a sport they love and learn how to take care of the very creature that brings them that joy, its truly rewarding for a family! I hope you find a way to give to the world of children, it will reward to as well I know... I know because I see and feel your kind heart... Thank-you for sharing your story💖✨Brutish Columbia, Canada✨

[@barbstrona1]

I really enjoyed this video and the one you made last year. I will be 81 in a little over three weeks. I became obsessed with dressage during my COVID year watching your videos, Joseph’s videos and many others’ videos on You Tube. I have never owned a horse. My earliest memory is from when I was 2 years old. My father took dressage in the late 1930’s in Central Park. In 1942, in California where he eventually lived, he had me put in front of him oh a horse. He told me I was going to be on a real rocking horse. With that, we went from sitting on a motionless horse into a fabulous rocking… a collected canter, I imagine. That was my earliest memory and the beginning of my love of horses. We moved to Grand Raids, Míchigan where I took lessons with Mr. and Mrs. Bond at Kentree in Ada, Míchigan from age five until I was almost 13. We returned to California where I rode occasionally on rental horses. When I was in my thirties, I took riding lessons again... After a twenty year hiatus, I again rode hunt seat, but now I jumped. First I took lessons from Rosie Reed on a 25 year old gelding. Butch was a fabulous teacher. Rosie let me ride some green horses after my lessons, so I got some interesting practice with horses. Then I met a woman who had an OTTB whom she didn’t have time for. I got to ride him daily using a borrowed polo saddle of an obese neighbor. Eventually I leased this horse and took lessons with Chuck Esau at La Jolla Farms. I discovered that riding a course of three foot jumps made me extremely motion sick and abandoned lessons! A flood caused my friend to have to sell her horse (I couldnt afford him). I didn’t really ride at all for forty years. In July I found a wonderful trainer, Elizabeth Johnson, who has a lovely lesson horse, Cassie. Cassie has five student riders; I am the oldest and worst. The youngest is a teenager. I have had six lessons and plan to take lessons until the money I had saved runs out. I absolutely love dressage despite its being both physically and mentally difficult. You can imagine after not riding for forty years how out of shape I was! I couldn’t even trot! I was exhausted after my lessons and couldn’t even put dear Cassie away. However, I am stronger now and can get through my lesson, put the horse back with her tack put away, brush her (she isn’t sweaty as I don’t ride that well yet!) and go home to put in a day’s housework! I won’t live long enough to get to Grand Prix, but I am loving every second I spend on a horse. As long as I make progress, I’m happy. I even go to the gym and doing vigorous gardening to get in better shape. You and others including your brother have been my inspiration and teachers. I just wanted to say Thank You!

[@cindynoble2037]

I enjoyed your story as well as Amelia's. Where do you ride now? Grand Rapids or CA? I live in SE Michigan. Happy Trails 🐴🤠

[@barbstrona1]

@@cindynoble2037 I have been in CA since 1953 with brief stays elsewhere for school and my husband’s service. Where I. SE Michigan do you live? Ann Arbor? I used to go to Holland for summer camp, but no horses at camp! I took lessons in San Diego County…. La Mesa, La Jolla, and now in El Cajon.

[@cindynoble2037]

@@barbstrona1 I live 20 miles south of Ann Arbor in the tiny town of Azalia. I am sure it is beautiful where you live. I have been to La Jolla and San Diego and loved it🌞🐴

[@barbstrona1]

@@cindynoble2037 I haven’t been to Ann Arbor, except perhaps driving to some other location… New York or New Jersey and once to Florida. If you come to San Diego again, find me so we can meet! You aren’t related to Gary Noble, a plastic surgeon who graduated from U of Míchigan in 1961. He and my gynecologist, Ron Reinsch, and my best friend from kindergarten, class of ‘62, Cindy Lauterhahn’s future husband, Pete Faber, ‘61 all lived next to each other. Pete and Cindy ended in Pennsylvania while Gary (who married Nancy Knight) and Ron landed in San Diego. I met Gary and Nancy when our sons went to preschool and elementary school together and we carpooled! Small world.

[@kb9155]

What an inspiration you are!

[@KatharinaHB]

Growing up in Germany we had local riding schools literally in every small town with school horses, all of them Warmblood horses, (us little kids trying to sit these big moving Warmbloods, you either learn to sit or you fall) and well educated, skilled trainers, plus local small low level shows every weekend everywhere. In the smallest cow town. So even though coming from a non horsey family, and owning my first horse at 33 years old, I have been riding since I was 3 years old. Every farmer has a pony, it's so easy to find a way to ride. I believe that I got better quicker than my friends whose parents got them their own horses early on because they became a one horse rider while I was riding more horses and more difficult horses, i.e. the ones no one wanted to ride. As to accessibility, it's a numbers game. The more riding schools with school horses we have at more locations the more it becomes accessible. Parents have to find a local barn where they can either easily drive their kids to or have them go by themselves using public transportation. Which certainly is another big factor. In Germany kids use public transit as its safe and it's reliable and widespread. Every day after school I took the bus from school to our local barn and spent all afternoon there then I'd take the last bus home at 8pm. My single mom could have never driven me daily to the barn. Another big thing that's a factor is that in Germany we have so many "horse lease options". You can get a full lease on a really talented or well trained horse and don't have to invest thousands to buy your own. Also traineeship programs are much more accessible as there are just so many stables. We just need more horses here in the US 🐎 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎 😄 also I don't believe for a second that you didn't/don't have talent. You don't get to be this good with a perfect seat with no talent. Perhaps you're just a "late bloomer" in equestrian terms and needed certain circumstances for your talent to show.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching Katharina! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Well done on persisting with it Katharina! YOur story proves that you don't have to come from money or an equestrian background to succeed! Thanks for watching! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@redmare1746]

Watched the replay. I enjoyed hearing your story, thanks for sharing. I'm curious how Geronimo ended up. Love watching your videos and instruction. I am a newly retired 63 year old who now has time to devote to my horses and riding after a 5 year hiatus of almost no riding. I've not lost my passion or confidence but it is more difficult to get back into it at this age. I'm very fortunate to have great health and energy and a horse that is very forgiving. Your instructional videos have helped me tremendously with inspiration and the excersizes you demonstrate. I won't be going Grand Prix, but I enjoy every bit of improvement we make. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge with us. I also want to say it sounds like you have a great mom! 💗

[@sallyannefrancis8647]

Ditto !! I am 61!!! But have 2 youngsters !! trying to get help has been difficult! Love watching Amelia!!! Afirming thing you know !!!

[@lesliepark3370]

Thanks for sharing. When we watch an accomplished rider we can’t see what went into creating the picture and it’s easy to assume there’s some magic involved. There’s no replacement for hard work and dedication.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

This is so true Leslie, and I was not a naturally gifted rider as i said! But i was dogged in my pursuit of improvement! Thank you so much for saying that also Leslie, I appreciate it so much. Thanks for watching! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@hollywoodboggie]

Thank you for the humble and honest history of your story. This perhaps explains your eloquence in teaching. You combine Equitation, Horsemanship, Showmanship in equal measure while giving your lessons. I train Reiners and use your lessons as the pure example of what riding is all about. Reining is just Dressage on steroids. Keep up the fine work!

[@lauradelorenzi4795]

I have learned so much with you, you are a great inspiration. You are very good at explaining. A huge hug from a Uruguayan living in Guadalajara, Mexico.

[@windofhappiness5286]

I just stay so impressed of your story, Amelia ❤️ Thank you so much for sharing your story and encouraging all that people out there to never give up and stay passionate about horses 🐴 even when it’s hard sometimes 💪🏼

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks so much I'm glad it was helpful to you!?

[@JacquelineN777]

Thank you so much for sharing this Amelia! I can’t tell you how long I have been searching for an example of someone at your level who is isn’t an heiress to a financial kingdom😆 this is extremely inspiring, and so real I really appreciate you sharing these details of your riding journey! I think you are so right that making the sport more accessible and helping kids who have less support is really important, I can definitely relate to that, and I really really really love the idea of an in person seminar!😆 thank you for being such an inspiring figure in my life and my horse’s❤️🐴🐴

[@seungoh5084]

You have accomplished a lot things that many people including myself couldn't have done. Be proud of you!

[@cynthiabrown2806]

I'm watching the replay. While I have never (yet) owned a horse, I also was given a green 4 year old at 14. With a rearing issue. Funny coincidence. She taught me so much though.

[@claremacleod9155]

You're such an inspiration Amelia, in horsemanship, in dressage and in business. Thanks for sharing. ps yours were the only videos on youtube where I could find decent, detailed instruction on how to improve my riding - that's how I came across you :-) There's a lot on how to improve the horse, but it's us we need to improve first!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you so much for saying that Claire I appreciate it so much. Thanks for watching! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@infernafirestein]

Thanks Amelia! This gives me hope. 🤗❤️

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're welcome Michelle! I'm glad it's inspiring confidence, we all started somewhere! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@cindynoble2037]

You are the best, Amelia 💕 Thank you for sharing🐴🤠

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

HI Cindy! You are welcome!. I'm so glad you found it helpful. If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@cindynoble2037]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage I am already doing all of the above💞

[@amytimmermans353]

I am now 13 years old and I’ve learned already a lot of you!!❤️ and I really want to also ride young horses, and I’m sometimes get insencure about my riding cause I see a lot of kids riding on pony’s that can already do a lot and the rider on top rides than a horse which already understands al the aids. And I heavy now a horse which doesn’t understand all the aids. But I will ride in the future young horses!💪😍

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Keep on riding!! The more you ride the better you get!!

[@agnesto9159]

I'm from Hong Kong. Thank you so much for your sharing 🥰. Your story is very inspiring, couldn't agree more to those frustrating depressing moments we encounter every now and then, yet you give me hope. Thank you Amelia!

[@russcarlson5874]

So great to hear this story ... sounds like devotion

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

It really was Ross and thanks for listening and watching, Thanks for watching! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@chalimiddleton8052]

Thanks for sharing how you started. I appreciate that you worked (earned) money for your lessons and for the care of your horse. This is a great 'building block'. It is good for young folks to hear that you advanced your career this way! I can see/feel your love for horses and commitment to Dressage. Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome!

[@dixieost4354]

You are so generous and lovely. Thank you for sharing with us so honestly☺

[@rebeccayoung6765]

Thank you so so much for sharing this story

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome Rebecca. If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@rebeccalemon2019]

This was a great story - it would be a great book 🙏🏽

[@cristinagarcia5474]

Hello from Spain. Thank you for sharing your story. You are such a nice person! .

[@suebarrington1288]

Yes! A beautiful story that certainly reflects creditable aspects of many riders backgrounds as they grew up with or without consistent parental support! I am particularly impressed with your vision to help dressage be more accessible to younger people. An inspiring account Amelia!

[@patsmythe]

thank you for this Amelia - your most passionate heartwarming and lovely story.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

HI Pat, So glad you found it helpful, I just wanted people to see that you don't have to have a natural talent as a baseline. Hard work and understanding what you're trying to do can get you just as far! Amelia Newcomb Dressage • 1 second ago Hi Barb, This canter trot transition video should help you master the downward canter-trot transition! Let me know if it helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6DclqeDqNeAgLc If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@alisonholtom160]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, so inspiring! I hope your back is being kind to you Amelia 💐 [I also have an injured back, which makes for some very sore days with the riding hey]. Much aroha from 💚Aotearoa NZ oxo

[@lisafairfield4041]

Thanks so much you are my inspiration.

[@hopescott9740]

This was great, so inspiring! You are an amazing woman! Thank you for this generous and honest video.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching Hope. ! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@mrronchale5566]

Inspirational life story. I am a fan of your videos and the videos of your brother. Regards from Costa Rica

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for watching! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@patriciasaul9544]

Thanks so much--you are an encourager-also, thanks for saving these programs so I can watch later-you make it so easy!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for subscribing and watching Patricia, I realy appreciate your feedback. Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@shirleybroady]

Great story. We traveled similar roads except I never took a crazy TB (or any other horse to grande prix). Got my first horse in 1959. I was 12. Born to ride but forced to work, I never saw myself as trainer material but I worked with a horseman long distance who was a dressage trainer and used a stylized form of natural horsemanship and classical dressage. He also worked a lot with young and spoiled horses. Was an amazing experience and took my point of view to a higher level, although I didn’t know the value it would have at the time. His greatest gift was letting me ride piaffe, passage, pirouette canter and all of the GP movements at a time when I was a first level rider with a background in Western and hunters. Hard work doesn’t have to be monotonous. It can be exciting and rewarding along with the highs and lows that are part of any life. Thanks for your story. Enjoyed it very much. You have the distinction that rewards small fish in big ponds.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you so much for sharing that with me Shirley! And what an amazing experience you've had too! If you'd like to get some more dressage tips straight to your inbox you can subscribe to my mailing list at the link below! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Also here's a link to a rider position assessment course that you could find really useful www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/dressage-rider-quiz/ And one more thing, if you'd like, head over to Facebook and join the Dressage Club, there's a lovely engaged and supportive community of riders with a wealth of knowledge! No query goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ Thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@shirleybroady]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage I’m on your mailing list and I have access to all your video programs. I ride with my trainer 5 days a week and I use your on line lessons for support and clarification. You are, and continue to be, the source of many light bulb moments. Many thanks! 😊

[@krdorner]

It is a fantastic story! And helpful to hear the ups and downs along the way. Thank you for sharing! -Krista

[@bobbyjodye2175]

I just love you! Your down to earth and raw!!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

[@lauradelorenzi4795]

I love youuuuuuuuu!!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hahah!!! Love you too Laura! And thanks so much for subscribing to the channel! If you’d like me to send more dressage tips into your inbox every Wednesday, you can sign up to my mailing list www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ And also, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/

[@lauradelorenzi4795]

I'm in all that places :D

[@jgrace3108]

Amelia! What a great and inspiring story! I loved hearing about it! Thank you so much! I've been meaning to ask you a coup!e of things. In your smooth canter transitions video, from the trot, which was an awesome enlightening thing, by the way! , your horse has such a soft, shiny, swishy tail, it was gorgeous! What product do you use on horse's tails? The other question is a training /riding question, I will have to tell it tomorrow. Write you then!

[@alliegustafson3873]

How do you recommend finding jobs at stables?

[@michelekanefsky7511]

❤️

[@karinrahbekjensen6936]

I am an older woman/rider.. Møllegaard Islandsheste. Denmark. So we do it for a living like you. Just want to tell you that I love to watch and learn from your videos, and I think you are a very good communicator. I know because it is what I do myself. Thank you very much ;-)

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks so much for sharing your story, that means a lot to me!