ESSENTIALS3™
Advanced Horsemanship: Deeper Connection, Greater Precision

Essentials3™ deepens horsemanship over 700 hours: 400 one-on-one, 300 independent practice. Focus on advanced groundwork (in-hand, lunging, long rope), trailer loading and refined riding (lateral work, trails, cavaletti). Tailored to each horse-rider pair. Completion of Essentials2™ is required prior to admission.
€44,000 excluding VAT

FROM COMPETENCE TO SUBTLETY: DEVELOPING SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATION

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.

Essentials3™ At a glance

Information
Total hours: 700
One-on-one training with instructor: 400 hours
Independent practice & facility use: 300 hours
Weekly schedule: Up to 4 days/week in intensive format
Daily sessions: 5 hours/day (50-minute lessons)
Intensive option available: can be organised in immersive training days of 5 hours each, up to four days per week
Breakdown
From the ground: 10 lessons lunging + work in hand
10 lessons in bigger areas with a longer rope (45 feet)
5 lessons poles and cavaletti
5 lessons trailer loading
In the saddle: 20 lessons lateral movements
15 lessons riding in bigger areas and trail rides
10 lessons pole and cavaletti work
Certification
Final evaluation on theory and practical skill test
Participants receive the Alterreno Essentials™ Certification upon completion
By adding specific modules it is also possible to access the British Horse Society (BHS) certification pathway
Alterreno is a BHS APPROVED centre: there is always the possibility to undertake the BHS examinations in Tuscany
The Features
Inclusions

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.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:
Daily Schedule: up to four days weekly, five hours daily in fifty-minute sessions throughout the intensive format
Small Cohorts: one-on-one instruction with 400 hours of personalised attention throughout the programme
Personal Support: coaches available for guidance during afternoon practice sessions, with access to audio and video material from leading professionals
Certification: theory and practical assessment, with Alterreno Essentials3™ certification upon completion
World Class Equestrian Education: advanced groundwork, lateral movements, cavaletti work and trailer preparation, with 700 total hours of training and independent practice
You Will Learn
Core Focus Areas

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.

SUBJECTS:
Advanced Groundwork: refining transitions, gait purity, work in hand including overstepping, jaw and neck softening, leg-yield and shoulder in from the ground
Gymnastic Exercises: understanding how lateral movements develop suppleness, straightness and strength in horses through systematic training
Biomechanics: reading physical asymmetries, recognising strengths and weaknesses and selecting exercises appropriate for individual horses
Cavaletti Work: understanding correct distances for different gaits, gymnastic benefits and progressive pole work for fitness and coordination
Trailer Preparation: teaching horses to load calmly and travel safely through systematic desensitisation and clear communication
Riding Environment: adapting training to larger arenas and trail rides, developing mental, emotional and physical fitness in varied settings
40 Lessons, 700 hours
Programme

Develop advanced practical skills for refined horse training: working transitions and collection from the ground, softening jaw and neck through work in hand, introducing lateral movements including leg-yield and shoulder in. Learn cavaletti work with correct distances for different gaits, progressing exercises systematically for gymnastic benefit. Master trailer loading preparation through clear communication and systematic desensitisation, ensuring horses travel calmly and safely.

STRUCTURE:
Lessons 1–8: refining transitions between gaits, maintaining gait purity for extended periods and introducing work in hand including overstepping, jaw and neck softening, leg-yield and shoulder in from the ground
Lessons 9–14: working in bigger areas with obstacles to develop emotional and physical fitness, building confidence and motivation through varied environments and challenges
Lessons 15–22: introducing leg-yield, shoulder-fore, shoulder in, travers, renvers and halfpass as gymnastic exercises to develop suppleness, straightness and strength in the saddle
Lessons 23–30: understanding correct distances for different gaits, progressive pole work and gymnastic benefits for developing coordination, balance and fitness
Lessons 31–36: progressing to larger arenas and trail rides to improve mental, emotional and physical fitness of both horse and rider in diverse settings
Lessons 37–40: systematic preparation for loading and travelling safely, addressing horse confidence and clear communication without problem-solving difficult cases
Transformation
Key Benefits

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.

WHAT YOU GAIN:
Advanced Groundwork: refining transitions, collection and lateral movements from the ground with subtlety and precision
Gymnastic Riding: introducing lateral movements that systematically develop suppleness, straightness and strength in the saddle
Biomechanical Understanding: reading physical asymmetries and selecting exercises that address individual weaknesses whilst promoting natural movement
Cavaletti Expertise: understanding correct distances, progressive exercises and gymnastic benefits for developing coordination and fitness
Versatile Training: confidence working in varied environments including larger arenas and trail rides that build mental and physical resilience
Practical Preparation: teaching horses to load and travel safely through systematic, confident communication

THE MAKING OF A HORSEMAN

Subtlety over force. Understanding over repetition. Adaptation over formula.

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.

Non-linear development respects individuality

Introverted horses might start bigger areas for motivation before refined work. Extroverted horses begin enclosed spaces for control before advancing.

Lateral movements

Therapeutic exercises that enhance flexibility, align asymmetries and build balanced strength through structured, progressive work.

Real-world capability

Arena work alone creates arena-dependent horses and riders. Trail riding develops adaptability, confidence, partnership through varied experiences.

Sophisticated balance

Poles and cavaletti improve coordination, engagement, proprioception. Understanding correct distances enables appropriate challenges for developmental level.

Trailer loading

Preparing horses to load willingly and travel safely prevents dangerous situations. This practical skill serves horse welfare throughout life.

Theory and application

Video study of leaders in field expands understanding beyond personal instructor, exposing students to diverse perspectives and methodologies.

HORSEMANSHIP BECOMES SOPHISTICATED AND ADAPTIVE

Advancement emerges through a clear understanding of purpose behind every movement

Essentials3™ develops riders who think analytically, adapt to horses’ individual needs, understand gymnastic benefits of exercises and communicate with increasing subtlety and sophistication.

Be part of refined horsemanship approach

Advanced level is about deeper understanding, more refined communication, greater adaptability to individual horse needs.

A foundation for any discipline

Skills developed in Essentials3™ serve any equestrian discipline. Lateral work, trail confidence, cavaletti coordination apply universally.

Sophisticated partnership

700 hours develops genuine horsemanship. Completing Essentials3™ means possessing skills, understanding and adaptability supporting lifelong equestrian enjoyment.