Annie Phillips Dressage

09/30/2026

This horse came to me neurologic and was told he would never be ridden again.

But once you can see posture vs. conformation and understand how posture affects the spine, you can begin to help relieve compression and begin to restore healthy biomechanics.

Here’s a hint if you’re training your eye: compare the length of his neck in the top photo to the bottom one. A horse’s self-carriage matters far more than just a metric in our training system.

In this case, this guy is back under saddle in full work and living proof that a diagnosis isn’t always the end of the story.

Results like this aren’t possible without a team of professionals all pulling their own weight and perfecting their area of specialty to the highest degree possible. In this case this horse has a dedicated owner, home trainer, farrier, body worker, veterinarian, and saddle fitter all willing to think outside of the box and work towards a common goal. It always takes a village.

DM to discuss your horse in confidence.

09/20/2026

We just had the BEST time having Kathryn Wilks LMT, ESMT, CRET3 up for body work on the horses🤍🖤

Kayde is one of a select group of practitioners worldwide certified in Equine Rib Entrapment Technique™, Neuro Fascial Conditioning™, and Myofascial Kinetic Line Balancing.

She has helped my horses with rib entrapment and rib cage rotation, which I see more often than we’d like to think.

These two issues can look like attitude or the following training issues:
-Girthiness or flinching when tacking up
-Difficulty bending to a side or staying straight
-A braced, tense back
-Saddle slipping or a feeling like you don’t have a level place for your seat bones to sit on their back

Feel free to reach out to me or Kayde if your horse needs help. We have her on a regular rotation visiting La Jolla Equestrian Academy

Featured Julie Nelson ‘s horse Ash 🤍🖤

08/17/2026

🧘‍♀️⚖️🐴❤️

07/10/2026

Now accepting clients at La Jolla Equestrian Academy, with several large stall and large paddock spaces available now!✨

I am passionate about dressage being truly additive to the horse’s body. Whether you’re looking to improve your horse’s way of going, develop a young horse, or work through a rehabilitation journey, I’d love to help.

07/08/2026

Feeling like a pretty lucky girl to have been a part of Team Believe 🇺🇸 this week in Hagen.

I made so many new friends, shared way too many giggles with my girls, watched some seriously exceptional riding, and had the best time cheering on Team USA over the Fourth of July weekend🇺🇸

It just doesn’t get much better ❤️🇺🇸

07/05/2026

We have some exciting stall and training openings at La Jolla! Come and join all of our fun!

Boarding Available at La Jolla Equestrian Academy - Extra Large Paddocks, Extra Large Stallswith premium bedding. Feeding 4xs a day, Daily turnouts, Daily graining included in board AM/PM, Daily Shavings option, Cleaning 2xs a day 365 a year. Staff and management on site 24/7. 3 large arenas w/premium footing. Covered Arena with Mirrors, 2 round pens, trails to ride around the property. Trainers on site. Loving, caring staff and management. We pride ourselves in creating a supportive, respectful, positive atmosphere. We are relaxed and simply happy.

05/23/2026

Confirmation vs. posture. These photos were taken 40 minutes apart on the same day, with the same horse, before and after a ground work session. The horse was not stood up for the photo, this is their posture of choice before and after work.

I am really passionate that the work that I do (ridden and on the ground) be additive to the body, making a happier and healthier athlete.

I expect to see the horse’s posture improve in every session, in some way, or I have to wonder if my work is truly additive.

05/21/2026

Just a shameless thoracic sling post ✌🏼

05/21/2026

Since I seem to be on a role putting my training philosophies into writing, here I go again about saddle fitting and why I choose to work with and .nelson.7355 ⬇️

My relationship with Julie and Dresch is rooted in a shared philosophy and mission to protect the horse’s anatomy so that harmonious and healthy ridden partnerships can emerge.

For my horses to comfortably carry me with true heath and longevity, my saddles must distribute my weight as evenly as possible across the largest possible weight-bearing surface. This safe weight-bearing surface is different for every horse and dependent on their unique anatomy. But it is the only surface where a horse can comfortably and safely carry our weight without damage.

Specifically, the saddle’s panel and tree must distribute my weight evenly across the longissimus muscle while protecting the spine, avoiding pressure on the thoracic trapezius (generous wither clearance), and remain on or before the 18th rib. The angle and width of the head plate must also match the angle and width of the shoulder to protect the scapula.

Anything short of this standard compromises the very system I am trying to develop.

As a rider, my work is about guiding the horse towards self-carriage, balance, suppleness, and a functional thoracic sling. This process depends entirely on the horse feeling comfortable, secure, and able to move with ease while receiving my aids with clarity. If those key structures are not protected, and my weight is not distributed in a way that allows the horse to carry me using their sling, then I am not training, I am compensating, using force, and causing short- or long-term damage. Which we already know goes against my training philosophy.

That is why I choose Saddlery Dresch and Julie: not because I am sponsored, not because their saddles are beautiful, and not even because they are comfortable for me. Although all of this I true, I choose them because I NEED my horses to be safely supported and protected in order to do my job.

Anything less is not aligned with my program, and I can’t in good conscience allow it to happen under my watch, or my seat bones.

📸

05/06/2026

The power of groundwork. This transformation did not happen under saddle. This is all groundwork.

This horse has spent many months in a postural rehab program with me, entirely from the ground. No riding, but very intentional groundwork allowing the body the time and space to reorganize, strengthen, and develop the biomechanics needed for a true working topline.

I really wish more people understood how important this critical step is. It is often easier for US to just get on and ride, but it is actually much easier for the horse to find correct posture and build strength without us on their back.

The topline has to exist before the work under saddle, not be something we hope and try to create while riding.

This kind of transformation does not happen quickly, and it does not happen without owners who believe in this philosophy. Huge, huge thank you to .nelson.7355 and for believing in my work and giving this horse the time and support he needed.

This is what it looks like to put the horse before the sport.