Level 3

Creating the finished equine performance.

It's all about refinement! As you reach Level 3, we will teach you how to achieve sophistication and elegance. This is the level where you learn how to win!

For the English horse - the goals:

  1. Higher trot that is oily and fluid!
  2. The "LaCroix Look" in the bridle.
  3. The ability to present this picture whenever you want it and to make it last the whole class!

For the Western horse - the goals:

  1. Get that "big drape" in the reins, with control!
  2. Make your horse balanced and slow.
  3. Gain outstanding performance by being subtle.

For the Hunter horse - the goals:

  1. Command attention.
  2. Dynamically cover ground.
  3. Flawless gaits and transitions.
  4. Lightness in the bridle and excellent carriage.

In Level 3, the techniques and concepts learned in Levels 1 and 2 are integrated and refined. You'll take the "working" frame that you have created for your horse, and start putting it all together in a "finished package."

Training emphasis becomes much more subtle. Leg aids and bridle responses have been learned, and now need only refinement. For the English disciplines, emphasis will be placed on response from the whip to create the necessary engagement for smoothness, consistency, balance, and quality of motion. For Western disciplines, emphasis will be placed on cues and responses from the rider's hips, seat, and upper thigh to establish rate and deepen collection.

All disciplines will learn to refine the halt, which is the basic component of collection. The loss of collection during the downward phase of a transition results in a loss of control and balance. For the competitive rider, this can be the difference between winning and losing. Perfecting the halt gathers any horse, enabling the rider complete control over his/her horse's balance at all times.

Experience in-depth coverage of how to manage the health and soundness of the higher-level performance horse you are developing.

New techniques:

  • Use of the curb for Western, English, and Hunter divisions. For horse and rider teams already familiar with the curb, the emphasis will be on quickening response time. For those unfamiliar with the use of the curb, time will be spent on initial curb breaking, with a simple step-by-step plan that gently and thoroughly builds the kind of response necessary for balanced riding. An in-depth discussion and demonstration of how different curbs work and how to choose the right curb for your horse.
  • Long-lining for the elevation of the English horse.
  • Warm-up techniques that will help develop your horse's ability to focus and increase his attention span.
  • Exploring the different mind set of finish-level training as opposed to the beginning and intermediate levels. In order to keep and build attitude, work time for your horse must be turned into play time. Any new procedure or technique can be turned into a game, both mentally and physically.

At the conclusion of the Level 3 Seminar, all participants will be working their horse on a level that demonstrates self-carriage, balance, and finesse. Because of the increased demands of a higher performance level, all participants will be able to spot any signs of stress, both physically and mentally, and be able to rework their plan for their horse to eliminate the stress points. In addition, each participant will be able to attend to the physical care for his/her horse with respect to different kinds of leg wraps, dietary changes, and common farrier problems.

Visit our descritive pages for each
level of the Accel Series.

[ Accel Basics ] [ Level 1 ]
[ Level 2 ] [ Level 3 ] [ Accel Jr. ]

 

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