Dressage Training with Gilberto Filipe: Programme, Daily Flow & Rider Levels

Portugal is the best place to train for dressage, with only a few names capturing its spirit like Gilberto Filipe.

Gilberto Filipe is a two-time World Champion, multiple National Champion, and one of the most respected Lusitano trainers in the world.

He represents the highest standard of Lusitano horsemanship. Riders who train with Gilberto get direct access to the precision, timing, and emotional feel that shape world-class Working Equitation.

What makes this experience unique is the way Gilberto teaches.

Gilberto is known to be very friendly and makes the atmosphere easy for his students to train.  His coaching blends classical dressage principles with practical field intelligence, helping riders understand why each movement matters, not just how to execute it. He’s known for subtle corrections, quiet communication, and a deep respect for the horses, creating an environment where riders feel both supported and challenged.

 

Blog Navigation 

• Location: Alcochete And Picadeiro Quinta Da Horta

• Programme Overview

• Daily Flow

• Who This Programme SuitS

• Pricing Snapshot

• How to Book

• FAQs

Location: Alcochete and Picadeiro Quinta da Horta

The training takes place at Picadeiro Quinta da Horta near Alcochete, south of the Tagus River, across from Lisbon. The facility is under the direction and technical management of Gilberto Filipe.

Alcochete is well-connected from Lisbon Airport (LIS) and offers stable, high-quality training infrastructure, combining indoor and outdoor arenas with countryside access.

To find more locations for dressage training in Portugal, read our Complete Guide to Dressage Training in Portugal

What the region offers riders

• Big‑city convenience with World Champion trainers with International class. 

• Access to Working Equitation training (Portugal’s world stage discipline).

• Plenty to do off‑horse: museums, fado, markets, riverside evenings, coastal walks.

• Smooth transfers, quality hotels, and rider‑friendly dining.

Training available (deeper look)

• Classical dressage intensives on schooled Lusitanos (seat, straightness, self‑carriage); many programs offer 1–2 coached rides/day in covered arenas.

• Working Equitation modules (Ease‑of‑Handling + Speed) that sharpen accuracy, lines, and timing—always built on dressage basics.

• Signature rides: Comporta beach sessions that translate arena feel to open spaces; optional Lisbon cultural tours or a visit to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.

Packages you can book

Programme Overview 

These are five-day, four-night programmes that blend professional training with cultural discovery. Designed for intermediate to advanced riders, it focuses on refining technique, agility, and the deep connection between horse and rider that defines Lusitano work.

Highlights:

• • Four shared Working Equitation/ Dressage lessons with Gilberto Filipe.

  • A beach ride experience on the Portuguese coast.

  • A guided visit to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in Belém.

  • A Tuk Tuk sightseeing tour of Lisbon.

  • Accommodation at Hotel Upon Vila or Quinta Praia das Fontes (or similar).& Daily Breakfast.

Daily Flow

Day 1 — Arrival and Introduction

Day 2 — First Ride and Technical Foundations

Day 3 — Cultural Exploration

Day 4 — Combined Movements & Countryside Ride 

Day 5 — Final Lesson & Departure

Who This Programme Suits

• Intermediate to advanced riders who already have confident control of walk, trot, and canter, and want to develop agility
• Dressage riders who wish to explore how Working Equitation expands classical work into obstacles and field movement
• Leisure riders aiming for structured professional instruction in an authentic Lusitano environment
  
  
  

Pricing snapshot 2026

• Shared room: €1,499 per rider
• Single room: €1,998 per rider
• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
• Meals included: Breakfast only
  
  

Cancellation Policy:
Full refund if cancelled at least 7 days before arrival in off-peak season (1 Oct–31 Mar) or 30 days before in peak season (1 Apr–30 Sept).

How to book

1. Click here -> Working Equitation with Gilberto Filipe.
   
   
2. Select your preferred dates and choose shared or single accommodation.
   
   
3. Confirm your booking. Transfers, stable logistics, and instructions will follow from the Cavago team.

Gilberto - Holidays with Cavago

Gilberto has worked with Holidays with Cavago for years, shaping a partnership built on trust and a shared commitment to Portugal’s classical riding tradition. Every programme we run with him is created directly alongside his team, so riders step into an experience that feels authentic to his style of riding and teaching.

The flow of the programme reflects that collaboration — from his shared dressage lessons, to a beach ride along Portugal’s coastline, to the behind-the-scenes visit at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. Even the cultural elements, like the Tuk Tuk tour through Lisbon’s old streets, are curated to complement the training rather than distract from it. Combined with comfortable four-star accommodation and breakfast, the entire experience feels intentional, cohesive, and connected to Gilberto’s world.

FAQs

Do I need to bring my own horse?
No. Lusitano schoolmasters are provided at the stable.

What level is required?
You should be comfortable at walk, trot, and canter, and familiar with basic lateral work.

Are meals included?
Breakfast is included daily. Lunch and dinner are available locally or through Cavago add-ons.

Do I need my own equipment?
All tack is provided. Riders should bring their own helmet and boots.

Can non-riders join?
Yes. Non-riding guests can participate in cultural and leisure activities in Alcochete or Lisbon.