The Amateur's Advantage

Laura Ashley Dressage

The Amateur’s Advantage is the podcast for riders who want clarity and confidence in every ride, no matter the discipline. Each week, Grand Prix Dressage trainer and Gold Medalist Laura Ashley talks with equestrians across the horse world about training challenges, mindset shifts, and how classical dressage principles help all riders. Whether you’re new, returning, or competing, these honest conversations empower you to grow and remind you that dedication and love for the process are your true advantage.

  1. 1d ago

    Slow Down to Ride Better: Building the Foundations That Last | The Amateur’s Advantage

    This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley continues her conversation with Coach CeeJae of Operation ECHO Horsemanship Program about the importance of slowing down, building strong foundations, and finding creative ways to help riders truly understand what they’re doing in the saddle. From balance stations and groundwork to breaking complex movements into individual pieces, they explore why riders often try to rush ahead before they have the basics in place, and how taking the time to build those fundamentals can make everything that comes later feel easier. They also talk about the importance of teaching without overwhelming riders, giving students permission to make mistakes, and helping them build confidence one small win at a time. Plus, they share some of their favorite unconventional teaching tools, including using music and beats per minute to help riders find rhythm and tempo. Whether you're a beginner working toward your first canter or a more experienced rider who knows there's a foundation that needs revisiting, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the fastest way to improve is to slow down. What You'll Learn: * Why riders can benefit from learning important skills before ever getting in the saddle * How balance stations and creative exercises can help riders build confidence and body awareness * Why a first riding lesson doesn't need to involve trotting or cantering * How groundwork and lunging can help both horse and rider prepare for what's next * Why going slowly and correctly can be more difficult, and more valuable, than simply going faster * How breaking advanced movements into individual components can make them less intimidating * Why a strong foundation matters more than rushing toward the next movement or level * How giving riders permission to make mistakes can actually build confidence and improve learning * Why going back to the basics isn't a step backward, even for experienced riders and horses * How music and beats per minute can help riders understand and maintain tempo * Why finding the right teaching tool for an individual rider can create the “light bulb” moment * How small improvements can build into confidence that carries far beyond the arena
 Resources + Mentions: Operation Echo Horsemanship Program
Join the Barn Family:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressage
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=en
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage
Leave a review to help more riders find us!

  2. Oct 22

    More Than Riding: The Life Lessons Horses Teach Us

    This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley sits down with Coach CeeJae, founder of Operation ECHO Horsemanship Program, to talk about what it really means to be a riding coach, mentor, and horse person. From building a horsemanship program that has served more than a thousand young women and their families to working with riders of all ages and abilities, CeeJae shares why teaching goes far beyond simply helping someone get better in the saddle. Together, they explore the importance of adapting to different learning styles, thinking outside the box, and meeting the horse and rider you have in front of you rather than trying to force everyone into the same mold. They also dive into the powerful life lessons that horses can teach us about communication, responsibility, emotional regulation, problem-solving, empathy, and showing up even when you're not having your best day. Whether you're an instructor, a lifelong horse girl, or someone who has ever found comfort in the barn, this conversation is a reminder that what we learn from horses can reach far beyond the arena.
 What You'll Learn: * Why being a good riding instructor is about much more than simply knowing how to ride * How adapting to different learning styles can help riders finally have those “light bulb” moments * Why problem-solving with different horses and limited resources can make you a better horse person and educator * How horsemanship can teach confidence, communication, responsibility, and social skills that carry into everyday life * Why the relationship between horse and rider can become a powerful source of connection and support * The importance of learning to recognize your emotional capacity and knowing when it's better to step away from the saddle * Why showing up for your horse matters, even when what you can give that day looks different * How coaches and mentors can leave riders with lessons that stay with them long after the ride is over * Why investing in the fundamentals and understanding the “why” behind an exercise matters at every level of riding * The legacy we create through the way we teach people to interact with horses
 Resources + Mentions: Operation Echo Horsemanship Program
 Join the Barn Family:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressage
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=en
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage
Leave a review to help more riders find us!

  3. Mar 19 ·  Bonus

    Mindset in the Saddle: How Your Thoughts Are Shaping Every Ride | The Amateur's Advantage

    This week on The Amateur's Advantage, Laura Ashley sits down with Krista Kehoe — life coach for equestrians and 40-year dressage rider — to explore the powerful and often overlooked role that mindset plays in every ride. Together, they unpack why riders can invest in all the lessons, clinics, and training in the world, yet still find themselves stuck in the same patterns — and how shifting the way you think can unlock results that no amount of extra ride time alone can produce. From scarcity mindsets and self-judgment in the warm-up ring to learning how to emotionally regulate before you even put your foot in the stirrup, this conversation bridges the gap between what's happening in the saddle and everything happening in life outside of it. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome at a show, wrestling with perfectionism, or simply want to get more out of every training session, Krista's practical tools and frameworks will help you ride with more clarity, confidence, and intention. If you've ever felt like your brain is getting in the way of your riding — this episode is for you.   What You'll Learn: Why your thoughts — not your circumstances — are creating your results in and out of the saddle How the pressure and stress you carry into the barn directly affects your horse's behavior The simple five-step "Model" framework for identifying the mindset patterns quietly running your rides What "emotional adulthood" really means and why suppressing your feelings isn't the same as managing them How strategic pessimism (WPOs — Worst Possible Outcomes) can actually build your confidence and resilience The difference between a fixed mindset and an open one — and how it might be standing between you and your next goal Why knowing your purpose for each ride changes everything about how you show up Resources + Mentions: Krista’s Clear Goals Worksheet: https://bit.ly/RideWithClearGoals Join the Barn Family:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressageTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=enFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage Leave a review to help more riders find us!

  4. 12/17/2025

    Move Like a Rider: PT to Improve Your Position & Partnership | The Amateur's Advantage

    In this episode of The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura sits down with equestrian physical therapist Tag Wilbur to break down the biomechanics behind great riding. Together, they explore how alignment, core stability, breath mechanics, and balanced strength directly influence your effectiveness and harmony in the saddle. Tag shares the most common rider imbalances he sees, how these patterns affect your horse, and simple at-home tools to help you move better — both in your body and in your riding. Whether you’re dealing with pain, asymmetry, or just want a more stable and educated seat, this conversation will help you build the body your horse wants to carry. Join the Barn Family:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressageTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=enFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage Leave a review to help more riders find us!

    Move Like a Rider: PT to Improve Your Position & Partnership | The Amateur's Advantage

  5. 12/10/2025

    Inside the Visual Rider: How the Laura Ashley Dressage Membership Can Transform Your Riding

    This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura sits down with longtime student and friend Donna Hammond for a deep dive into The Visual Rider and the brand-new Laura Ashley Dressage online membership. Donna shares her perspective as an amateur rider, educator, and lower-level instructor on why Laura’s analogies work, how they help riders feel concepts they’ve struggled with for years, and how the new membership brings those tools to life through videos, masterclasses, and community. Together, they explore the power of multi-modal learning, how foundational skills carry through all levels of dressage, and why great riding starts with curiosity, exploration, and understanding your own body. Whether you’re new to dressage or working toward medals, this conversation will leave you inspired — and ready to learn in a whole new way. Be a part of the Laura Ashley Dressage Membership!bit.ly/LADMembership Join the Barn Family:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressageTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=enFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage Leave a review to help more riders find us!

    Inside the Visual Rider: How the Laura Ashley Dressage Membership Can Transform Your Riding

  6. 11/19/2025

    Dressage Show Success: The Strategy Behind a Great Test Day | The Amateur's Advantage

    In this episode of The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura breaks down exactly how she prepares herself, her horses, and her riders for a successful dressage show, long before stepping into the competition arena. She shares how to map out your training schedule, manage your horse’s energy, optimize your mental game, and handle mistakes with strategy rather than panic. From schooling smart to planning your warm-up, Laura walks through the mindset and preparation that help riders peak on show day and ride with confidence, clarity, and intention. Join the Barn Family:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressageTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=enFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage Leave a review to help more riders find us!

    Dressage Show Success: The Strategy Behind a Great Test Day | The Amateur's Advantage

  7. 11/12/2025

    Gymnastic Warmups & Serpentine Flow | The Amateur's Advantage

    This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley dives into one of her favorite topics — the art and science of gymnasticizing your horse. Using detailed analogies and accessible dressage theory, she explains how walk work, serpentines, and thoughtful frame changes can transform your horse’s body and mind. From balancing athletic development to preserving long-term soundness, Laura shares her “nerdy” insights into how small, subtle details create supple, happy athletes. Whether you’re schooling Training Level or Grand Prix, this episode will inspire you to slow down, think deeper, and ride with purpose. Join the Barn Family:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressageTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=enFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage Leave a review to help more riders find us!

    Gymnastic Warmups & Serpentine Flow | The Amateur's Advantage

  8. 11/05/2025

    Your Questions for Laura: Contact, Connection & Feel | The Amateur's Advantage

    This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley answers your most asked questions from Instagram in a special Q&A. From finding soft, steady contact to improving your seat and communication, Laura dives into the real issues riders face every day, the ones that don’t always come up in lessons. Through relatable advice and practical analogies, she explains how classical dressage principles can help riders of every level build better connection, clearer aids, and more confidence in the saddle. Whether you’re riding in a dressage saddle or on the trail, this Q&A is packed with bite-sized insights you can take straight to your next ride. What You’ll Learn: How to maintain soft contact without losing communication The difference between contact and connection Simple ways to ride with quieter hands and steadier elbows Why consistency builds confidence for both horse and rider Join the Barn Family:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraashleydressageTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraashleydressage?lang=enFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351291468943842/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Lauraashleydressage Want to submit a question or story? DM us on Instagram @LauraAshleyDressage Leave a review to help more riders find us!

    Your Questions for Laura: Contact, Connection & Feel | The Amateur's Advantage
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About

The Amateur’s Advantage is the podcast for riders who want clarity and confidence in every ride, no matter the discipline. Each week, Grand Prix Dressage trainer and Gold Medalist Laura Ashley talks with equestrians across the horse world about training challenges, mindset shifts, and how classical dressage principles help all riders. Whether you’re new, returning, or competing, these honest conversations empower you to grow and remind you that dedication and love for the process are your true advantage.

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