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...

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...

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 ne...

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...

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 “...

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 c...

This week on The Amateur’s Advantage , Laura Ashley explores what it really means to become a thinking rider , one who can problem-solve, adapt, and guide their horse through challenges with confidence and empathy. Through real examples from lessons and training rides, Laura unpacks how letting riders make mistakes, struggle a little, and experiment builds true understanding and feel. She shares t...

*Reupload* This week on The Amateur’s Advantage , Laura Ashley shares a behind-the-scenes recap from a successful weekend at a local dressage show. She reflects on the progress of two standout horses, Caracol, a young Andalusian making his debut at Training Level, and James Brown, a newer Third Level partner for one of Laura’s riders. Laura discusses how consistency, confidence, and preparation ma...

This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley sits down with hunter-jumper and equitation rider Amanda Roland to unpack the physical and mental tolls of an equestrian lifestyle. Together, they talk about how dressage principles like body awareness, balance, and self-preservation can help riders stay strong and healthy, so they can keep showing up for their horses and their goals, no matter wh...

Episode Title : Horsemanship First: Thinking Outside the Box Guest : Amanda Orlando Episode Summary : This week on The Amateur’s Advantage , Laura Ashley sits down with Amanda Orlando of Orlando Sport Horses to unpack how horses hit training walls when routines get too rigid. Together, they dive into how dressage principles like returning to basics, embracing cross-training, and focusing on horsem...

This week on The Amateur’s Advantage , Laura Ashley sits down with Kat McDonald of Form and Flow Dressage to unpack the mental struggles riders face when progress feels messy or slow. Together, they dive into how dressage principles like mindset shifts, growth over perfection, and positive self-talk help riders break through fear, frustration, and comparison and how you can apply the same tools in...

Episode Title: Wellington Dressage Classic Show Recap Episode Summary This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley recaps her weekend at the Wellington Dressage Classic and unpacks the highs, challenges, and lessons learned from showing two very different horses. She dives into how classical dressage principles like patience, forward energy, and building confidence helped her guide each hors...

Episode Title: How It All Started Guest: Deb Medina Episode Summary This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley sits down with Deb Medina to unpack the journey from ponies to dressage and how a lifelong love of horses shapes the way we ride and train. Together, they dive into how dressage principles like patience, foundation work, and connection helped Deb navigate transitions in her riding...

Episode Title: Training Challenging Horses & Managing Fear Guest: Iza Bieniecka, Dressage Episode Summary: This week on The Amateur’s Advantage, Laura Ashley sits down with Iza Bieniecka of Bieniecka Dressage to unpack the challenges of training difficult horses while managing fear in the saddle. Together, they dive into how classical dressage principles, like riding forward to prevent rearing...

Welcome to The Amateur’s Advantage! 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, returni...