05/26/2026
I feel very fortunate that in Strides with Amelia, my continuing education program, I get to interview some truly amazing horsepeople. 🐴🤍
Most recently, Janet Foy, USDF Gold Medalist and FEI 5* Dressage judge. And what she shared was pure GOLD. ✨
Here are my top takeaways. 👇
1️⃣ There is no perfect horse — find your "safe 6."
Even Glamourdale isn't truly perfect. Every horse has a highlight, and every horse has something that isn't going to score as well — and that's okay.
2️⃣ "Whatever the horse wants to do naturally, you do the opposite."
This was advice Janet got from Robert Dover early in her career — and it stuck. If the horse wants his neck up, you bring it down. If he wants it down, you bring it up. If he wants to go fast, you slow him. If he wants to go slow, you send him forward. It sounds almost too simple — but it's the foundation of training. You're constantly asking questions and checking that your horse is responsive and on the aids. Simple in theory. A lifetime of work in practice. 🐎
3️⃣ Accuracy costs nothing — and neither does knowing your test.
Free points. Riders give them away every single show. Riding the wrong circle, missing X, not knowing your definitions — these are all completely avoidable. You don't have to nail every movement. But you should at least know what you're supposed to be doing. 📋
4️⃣ Ask four questions for every single movement.
What is my preparation? What is my half-halt? What are my aids? How do I finish? Walk through these for every movement — and don't forget, the finish matters just as much as the start. 🎯
5️⃣ "Straight" is actually shoulder-fore.
A stick-straight horse drops his core — the opposite of what we need. Shoulder-fore keeps the engine engaged, and it's the foundation of almost everything we do.
6️⃣ Are you boring your horse to death? 😅
Round and round at trot, change rein, round and round again. The horse might be stretching over his back — but what did he actually learn? Nothing. Transitions, questions, changes of bend. Train the brain, not just the body.
7️⃣ Balance matters more than ambition.
If your horse can't do the work in balance at home, he's not ready to show it. Train a level above what you compete — and don't go in the ring until he can do the work without stress.
8️⃣ Welfare comes first — and the rules now back that up. 🙏
Real, sustained tension is being penalized and eliminated. Judges, riders, trainers, and owners all share responsibility for where our sport is heading — and Janet was clear-eyed and honest about all of it.
9️⃣ Treat your warm-up like a speed date.
Ten minutes. Ask the important questions. Find out where your horse is sticky before you go down centreline — don't just trundle around in a stretchy frame and call it a warm-up.
🔟 Read your test sheet properly.
Ignore the one-off 4s — everyone has them. Look for the movements you consistently score 5s and 6s. That is a hole in your training. Take it to your trainer and fix it. 📋
🌟 And finally — remember the judges are your friends. If you ever have a bad experience, request a Judge Evaluation form from the TD or USDF. It's anonymous, it goes to the licensed officials committee, and it actually drives change. Janet is the chair of the USDF judges committee and shared that they're using this feedback right now to require new assessments, more consistent education, and FEI-led judge forums.
💬 Which of these hit home for you the most? Drop the number in the comments — I really want to know which one you're taking straight to the arena! 👇
🏇 P.S. If you're a Strides with Amelia member, the full interview recording is available for you to watch in Amelia's Dressage Academy!
🙋 P.P.S. If Janet's insight into what judges are actually looking for has you thinking about your own scores, I have something for you. My webinar — The Truth Behind Low Scores — covers exactly this: how to use the Training Scale to plan your ride, solve your training problems, and develop your horse up the levels. 👉 Check the comments below for the link to RSVP!
