Essentials3™ deepens horsemanship through over 700 hours of dedicated training: 400 hours of individual instruction and 300 hours of independent practice. The programme focuses on advanced groundwork, including in-hand work, lunging, horsemanship, liberty work and trailer loading, alongside refined riding that encompasses lateral movements, trail riding, pole work and jumping. Each pathway is tailored to the individual horse and rider partnership. Completion of Essentials2™ is required for admission.
€44,000 excluding VAT
Essentials3™ represents transition from learning basics to refining execution. Students develop subtlety in aids, understanding of gymnastic benefits in various exercises, ability to adapt training to individual horse needs. This level prepares riders for any discipline while deepening partnership through increasingly sophisticated communication.
Total 700 hours: 400 one-on-one instruction, 300 independent practice using Alterreno facilities. Intensive format available up to four days weekly, five hours daily in fifty-minute sessions. Morning lessons followed by afternoon practice with coaches available for guidance. Advanced groundwork and mounted work including lateral movements, cavaletti exercises and trailer preparation. Theory lessons include audio and video material from leading professionals. Final evaluation includes theory and practical skill test, Alterreno certification upon completion.
Learn advanced groundwork refining transitions, gait purity and collection through work in hand. Understand how to soften the jaw and neck, introduce leg-yield and shoulder in from the ground. Develop your horse's physical and emotional fitness through cavaletti work and exercises in larger spaces with obstacles. This knowledge creates the foundation for gymnastic riding that develops suppleness, straightness and strength. Students learn to read their horse's physical asymmetries and select exercises that address individual weaknesses whilst building natural, healthy movement.
Develop advanced practical skills for refined horse training: work on transitions and the early stages of collection from the ground, release tension and encourage relaxation of the jaw and poll through in hand work, and introduce lateral movements such as shoulder in, overstepping and leg yield. Learn to work with poles, accurately adjusting distances for each gait and constructing progressive gymnastic exercises. Deepen trailer preparation through clear communication and the cultivation of trust and confidence, ensuring safe and composed travel.
Build advanced theoretical understanding supporting refined practical skills: reading horse physical asymmetries to identify strengths and weaknesses, selecting gymnastic exercises appropriate for individual conformation and fitness level, understanding biomechanical effects of correct riding and lateral work. This knowledge enables strategic training decisions, recognising when exercises benefit or strain the horse and developing analytical capability that supports progressive, healthy development.
THE MAKING OF A HORSEMAN
Essentials3™ develops sophisticated horsemanship through refinement, understanding and adaptive teaching. No linear progression exists at this level. Every horse-rider team receives individualised approach respecting their unique needs.
Introverted horses might start bigger areas for motivation before refined work. Extroverted horses begin enclosed spaces for control before advancing.
Therapeutic exercises that enhance flexibility, align asymmetries and build balanced strength through structured, progressive work.
Arena work alone creates arena-dependent horses and riders. Trail riding develops adaptability, confidence, partnership through varied experiences.
Poles and cavaletti improve coordination, engagement, proprioception. Understanding correct distances enables appropriate challenges for developmental level.
Preparing horses to load willingly and travel safely prevents dangerous situations. This practical skill serves horse welfare throughout life.
Video study of leaders in field expands understanding beyond personal instructor, exposing students to diverse perspectives and methodologies.
HORSEMANSHIP BECOMES SOPHISTICATED AND ADAPTIVE
Essentials3™ develops riders who think analytically, adapt to horses’ individual needs, understand gymnastic benefits of exercises and communicate with increasing subtlety and sophistication.
Advanced level is about deeper understanding, more refined communication, greater adaptability to individual horse needs.
The skills developed in Essentials3™ are applicable across all equestrian disciplines. Lateral movements, confidence and control in open spaces and countryside settings, as well as coordination and harmony over poles and fences, form the essential foundation of every discipline.
700 hours develops genuine horsemanship. Completing Essentials3™ means possessing skills, understanding and adaptability supporting lifelong equestrian enjoyment.