Amy Carson Equine Trainer

11/02/2025

A happy looking horse with amazing body extension look at those open hips. He looks like he loved and trusted his rider.

Stroller the Olympic Wonder Pony
Despite being significantly smaller—often eight inches shorter than his nearest competitors—Stroller could leap as high as the best in the world. In the 1960s and 70s, if you were passionate about show jumping in either England or North America, one name stood out among the rest. During a time when major league sports dominated cable television, and hockey and baseball were broadcast around the clock, show jumping in Great Britain enjoyed an unparalleled following. This was an era when top riders published books and annuals, delighting their devoted fans, while company-sponsored jumpers proudly carried their sponsors' names as part of their own. Enthusiasts even wrote in to request locks of hair from their favorite equine stars.

Amidst a sea of tall, long-legged show jumpers, an extraordinary talent emerged: Stroller, a 14.1-hand Connemara-Thoroughbred mix, who seemed to have been touched by the magic of genetics. He possessed both confidence and remarkable jumping ability, allowing him to compete with the best, despite his smaller stature.

Born in 1950, Stroller was initially purchased in a bulk deal from Ireland by a dealer and later sold to Ted Cripps for his daughter. It didn't take long for Ted to realize he had discovered a true gem. He sold Stroller to Ralph Coakes, a farmer from New Milton who had a solid understanding of horses and the show jumping scene. By acquiring this little pony, Ralph and his daughter Marion were about to embark on a journey with a star that would shine brightly for the next 15 years.

While Marion had two brothers, John and Douglas, who were part of the British Show Jumping Team, it was Marion who possessed the innate riding talent to truly connect with Stroller. Although it seemed natural for her to eventually transition to riding a horse, Marion and Stroller were destined for greatness together.

17/11/2024

Our nervous system does have an effect on our riding, and it is good to have tools to calm so the body and mind can relax.

A story about my right leg - and riding from center

Something I have been learning more and more about with great interest, is just how much the nervous system protects our balance. It doesn’t care about how you look, or if you feel good in your body - it only cares that you don’t fall off and 💀

I have had many concussions, and as every horse person, my share of injuries. My nervous system worked very hard to stabilize me by giving me these solutions of tension- and one of them was a scrunchy right leg. This was compensation for a right hip that didn’t move well, and couldn’t get into the horse’s motion well.

Naturally, right bend and right lead canters were difficult for me. These imbalances make us overuse our exterior aids- when our center is not congruent with our aids, our arms and legs do funky things to get the job done.

Thankfully, I’ve been receiving some good help to create better stability, and enjoying a longer right leg. Thanks to some vestibular and visual exercises to help concussion recovery with Leah Astrup, and some
Excellent riding instruction, my body is feeling better, and consequently my horses are too.

If you’re fighting the same issues over and over again, no amount of drilling your position will counter a nervous system desperate to stabilize you. Find center, and the legs and arms stabilize as an extension of that.

The top two photos show my right leg acting as a hook, to compensate for a hip that doesn’t move. You can see my rib cage thrown to the left as a result - making right bend quite tough.

The bottom two photos show a much more stable position with a longer thigh, and consequently a more centered rib cage and quieter hands.

This stuff really matters. You’ll feel better and your horse will too.

28/10/2024

A big weekend for Ronaldo, with his first ODE, the practice cross country on Saturday, and then the Mimi ODE on Sunday at the lovely venue of Woodhill Sands. Very happy with nice movements in his dressage and improving since his second equal overall in the winter dressage series. Clever boy listening so well through the showjump round and fun to be out on the cross country after so many years. I slept well after those days, wow!!
Third prize in the 95cm
He makes the jumps look small, smaller than what my eyes see🙂
Nice big boy, he was happy to get home.
Gratitude for riding him.

29/09/2024

Cool boy Ronaldo, willing to cooperate, opening up in his body to swing along in a Rhythm. The hands are such a delicate part of the rhythm and frame. Always more feel to learn. Feeling very lucky for the joy and companionship we get to experience with the horses.

07/09/2024

To be aware of what is happening within us, so we have the opportunity to adjust ourselves for our own growth and improve the health of our connection with the horse.

28/08/2024

I feel lucky to be able to ride these beautiful horses and shower our love onto them. It’s a treat when they call out and are happy in their work.

28/08/2024

Ronaldo, came in third over all in the winter dressage series, against other lovely horses. From his first dressage test to finishing the series a first for both of us. I’m enjoying watching his development. And feeling the changes is his balance and rhythm. Beautiful big horse.

06/08/2024

Giving rather than expecting or wanting something. Very healthy helpful information to gain a communication.

Join the Online Video Library + Get the 30-Day Jumpstart + Live Zoom Q & A With Warwick

04/07/2024

Very interesting about horses bone development and the damage that can be done.

23/06/2024

Ronaldo first outing, I was very happy to ride him at the dressage day, he was willing to do all that we now how, together.
He even gave a little bit more than expected and when he was excited grew in stride some fun to sit on.
He came first in his second class. He is getting stronger and I hope he continues to grow in healthy movement.

07/06/2024

I like this advice, control yourself and let the horse control himself. Giving up controlling the horse . I have noticed this giving the horse time and space to work out the most comfortable way to do things, this can happen when we stay calm and relaxed then the horse has the environment to relax to and then he will use his body in the most natural and beautiful way.

26/05/2024

Rain first public appearance for an 80% score, although a low level event, I sure am happy with how clever he is.
It was helpful for his first outing to be able to bring him to the venue a couple of days before so he became familiar and comfortable with the new environment.

26/03/2024

“Meet Lisa and Brother” her new steed….its nice to see they are going kindly together. I am grateful to be able to help them bond together. Lisa dedicated three riding lessons a week and a couple of lessons at home to settle them into a new environment. They have a good connection with trust in each other.

22/03/2024

Some fun to be had, Nature left me some good sized branches to play with. Nicely placed.
That I could jump with the Big, small, steady, nifty but all Bay horses I’m grateful to be riding at present.