Creative Choreography for your First Level Dressage Musical Freestyle

Douwe competing a First level Freestyle. photo credit: spotted vision photography

Are you putting together a First Level dressage freestyle? Congratulations! In this article I will share choreography tips specifically meant for First Level. I have broken them down by each required movement.

This is a sampling of what is included in my First Level Choreography E-Book and my book FREESTYLE: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music.

Overall Tips to Keep in Mind

• In regards to degree of difficulty, keep in mind that you want your freestyle routine to be easy for the judge to follow along. Don’t make it so complicated that the judge is confused or they cannot tell what movement you are riding.
  

• Choose variations of each movement so that your horse can perform to the best of their ability. Do not overface your horse and lose technical points.

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Trot Lengthening

At First Level you are required to show one trot lengthening on a straight line. Typically riders will include more than one.

• Use your quarterlines and centerline to highlight your horse’s straightness and balance.
  

• Angle your lengthening on a diagonal line from the centerline to the rail so that your diagonal line is less test-like. (shown in diagram)
  

• Incorporate walk or canter transitions close to your trot lenghthening to demonstrate ride-ability.

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10 meter Trot Circles

At First Level you are required to show a 10 meter trot circle in both directions.

• Approach your circles from the quarterline, centerline, or parallel to the short sides so that it is placed differently than a dressage test.

• Ride your circle immediately before/after other movements like leg-yield and lengthened trot to showcase ride-ability.

• Ride a figure-eight with your two trot circles to demonstrate suppleness.

• Place your circle before/after a canter transition to showcase your horse’s ability to maintain his/her balance.

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Medium & Free Walk

At First Level you are required to show a minimum of 20 meters of medium walk and free walk. You are allowed to ride them on curved lines.

• Going from the the trot directly into the free walk is more difficult than using the medium walk for the transition.

• Highlight an amazing walk by using diagonal lines, half circles, or bending lines where the judge can clearly see the overstep and rhythm.

• If your horse has poor rhythm you can showcase straightness by riding your medium or free walk on the centerline/quarterline or suppleness with a unique bending line to challenge your horse’s ability to relax and focus.

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Trot Leg-Yield

At First Level you are required to show a leg-yield in both directions with a minimum of 12 meters.

• Incorporate a leg-yield zig-zag if your horse can stay straight and steady. Keep in mind that you want to choose movements that your horse can perform well consistently.
  

• Ride canter transitions or lengthened trot before/after leg-yield to showcase ride-ability.

• Place your trot circles before/after to help setup the bend and balance your horse.

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15 meter Canter Circles

At First Level you are required to show a 15 meter canter circle in both directions.

• Use your quarterlines to begin your circle, this helps with your accuracy and improves degree of difficulty riding off the track.
  

• Place your lengthened canter directly before/after your circle to highlight good impulsion.

• Include counter canter before/after your circles to showcase balance and obedience.

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Changes of Lead Through Trot

At First Level you are required to show a change of lead through trot (canter - trot - canter) in both directions.

• Use your centerline and quarterlines to demonstrate straightness and ride-ability. This can also save on time and help you flow into your next movement.
  

• Incorporate counter canter before/after if your horse has reliable changes of lead.
  

• Include additional changes of lead in case you mess up on one of them. You will typically see riders include two in each directions.

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Canter Lengthening

At First Level you are required to show one canter lengthening on a straight line. Typically, riders will include at two canter lengthenings.

• Use your centerlines and quarterlines if you horse is well balanced and straight.
  
  

• Include counter canter before/after your lengthening to showcase balance and obedience.

• Angle your lengthening on a diagonal line from the centerline to the rail so that you can stay on the same lead. (shown in diagram)

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I hope this article helps you with some ideas for your First Level freestyle! Click here if you want to take a closer look at my choreography e-books where these particular diagrams come from. If you have any questions or comments don’t hesitate to leave one down below or send me an email at beginthedance@gmail.com.

Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

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Browse my Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books & e-Books.

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

Related Articles

Creative Centerlines for your Dressage Musical Freestyle

Ready to make a great first impression for your musical freestyle? Use your entrance to help tell a story, just like the opening of a movie or the beginning of song, you are setting the mood and telling the judge what to expect from your freestyle. There are many ways you can capture the attention of your judge and the audience, even at the lower levels.

Douwe and Sandra enter for their First Level Musical Freestyle. Photo taken by Spotted Vision Photography.

Use Lyrics

Lyrics have grown in popularity for musical freestyles. They are allowed but you need to make sure that you choose songs that enhance your routine rather than take away from the overall flow.

Using fun openers to a song or a catchy jingle can set the tone for your entire freestyle and put a smile on everyone’s face. Recently, I designed a freestyle where we used the opening of “I Feel Good” with James Brown. It is iconic and recognizable to every person that might be in that audience, especially to the judge. The rest of the freestyle included songs from the same genre and rider Linda Brock received a lot of compliments.

For my client Carolena we used the song “Lollipop” for her entrance. She did her halt, salute perfectly to the “pop” sound that everyone would recognize. She is an adorable young rider (definitely has the cute factor with her small horse!) performing a Training Level freestyle. Her freestyle followed the same genre with songs like “Sandman” and “ Tweedle Dee”.

Think of lines from a popular movie like “Bond...James Bond” or the prologue from “Beauty and the Beast”. Broadway musicals also have plenty of one liners that can work for an entrance such as “He’s here the Phantom of the Opera!”.

The beauty of using lyrics for a musical freestyle is that the music doesn’t necessarily have to match the beats of your horse’s stride. It would be great if it did but overall you are using the entrance to make an impression and set the stage, so if the beats aren’t perfect but the lyrics are I say go ahead and try it!

Sandra and Rovandio showing a Second Level Freestyle. Photo credit Spotted Vision Photography.

Use Transitions

Something that I rarely see are transitions such as walk to trot, trot to canter, or walk to canter. At the lower levels there are limited options for centerlines, if you can use entrance music that has a clear transition that can help enhance your artistic scores and demonstrate technical skill the judge.

I rode a Third Level freestyle with my horse Rovandio many years ago and our violin music started slow and then added a distinct trot beat. I cued the music, began at the walk and then transitioned to the trot when the music changed.

Only try this if your horse is really consistent in upward transitions! If they tend to brace or come above the bit I wouldn’t risk it, just stay in your preferred gait.

Add a Lengthening/Extension

Impress the judge with a dramatic extended trot down the centerline! If your horse has a reliable and high-quality medium/extended trot this can be a really good option. Also using medium/extended canter can really ‘WoW’ the judges and set the stage for a powerful ride.

This entrance works well when you have are going all the way down the centerline to your first halt. Some riders prefer to halt around L or G to set up for their first movement closer to the judge.

Sandra used Outlander music for her Friesian gelding Douwe. Photo credit Spotted Vision Photography.

Add Sound Bites

You can add a little more sparkly and pizzazz with your opening salute by accenting with additional sound bites. This could sound like a gong, a magical chime, a drumroll, or perhaps the sound of people clapping. You can get creative and add sounds that will go along with your entrance music and the overall theme of the freestyle. Having a definite sound or accent for your salute elevates your freestyle and shows that you pay attention to detail.

You can search for sound bites on websites like www.audiojungle.net where you can purchase short music clips and search by instrument and genre. Use keywords like “Intro” to search through hundreds of short clips that people use for music videos, movies, and promo videos. They are generally short and already fade in/out so they would be very easy to incorporate in the editing process.

Additional Ideas

• I personally like the sound of an orchestra warming up if you are using classical music

• Sound clip from a band playing live…sometimes they will address the audience to get everyone fired up

• Drumroll that you hear at the start of a movie

• Record your own voice over your entrance movie to create something unique and special

• Sound clip from a motivational speech

Have Fun!

No matter what you decide, I hope you have fun in the process! Creating a musical freestyle is a rewarding process that takes patience, determination, and creativity. Let me know in the comments below what you used for your musical freestyle entrance I would love to know. You can also email me with questions/comments to beginthedance@gmail.com.

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Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Browse my Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books & e-Books.

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

Related Articles

What Computer Software Should You Use to Edit Your Dressage Freestyle Music?

PHoto Credit: KiMBERLY CHASON

Wondering what kind of software to use for your musical freestyle? The internet has made the creation process a lot easier, with more programs and tools being added all the time. Here are some popular programs that are used by amateurs and professional freestyle designers.

Music Editing Software

• Audacity The most popular, FREE software that will work on all computers. I recommend this as the top choice for everyone to start with unless they have a Mac…in that case use the next choice listed below.

• Garageband My current software of choice. It is included on a Mac computer or laptop so this is the best choice if you already have this kind of computer.

• Logic Pro X The next step up from Garageband. It is used by songwriters and music professionals who want to create and mix their own songs. Only available for Mac. They have a free trial but then you have to purchase the software (currently $199.99 in 2023).

• Adobe Audition If you are familiar with Adobe products this might work well for you. This is another professional editing tool that lets you create in the cloud. There is a monthly fee (currently $20.99 a month). If you do not have a Mac computer this would be the higher end choice for you.

Need More Help? Try these Local Resources…

In addition to online resources, I encourage you to look into options that might be available to you locally. 

Photo Credit: Spotted Vision Photography

> Family & Friends: Perhaps your son/daughter/husband is really good on the computer? Check with your horse friends and see if any of them are tech savvy. Maybe you could barter some riding lessons for their editing skills! Be creative!  

> Local High School: Meet with your local music teacher to see if they have the ability to edit music. Your school may have a computer class that could include your freestyle as a class project.  

> Nearby University: Pay a college student to edit your music. Try posting a want ad on a local community board or coffee shop where the tech-savvy folks hang out. There could be a student who would appreciate the opportunity to earn a little extra money.  

> Professional Musician: If you know someone who records their own music they will certainly have the skills to edit music. Check out some local bands in your area. Don't worry about the genre of their music, it is the editing skills that you need. 

> Freestyle Designer: Reach out to a few professional freestyle designers and see if they would be willing to edit your music separate from the choreography. Some designers may not agree to edit music if they aren’t involved in the entire process but it is worth a try! If you have all your music choices they may not mind doing the editing for an hourly or project rate.

Photo credit: Spotted Vision Photography

Learn from YouTube Tutorials

I regularly save freestyle videos and tutorials on my YouTube channel. If you find a video that I have not saved to a playlist please send me an email (beginthedance@gmail.com) so I can add it.
 
> How to Edit Music using Audacity YouTube playlist with Video Tutorials

> How to Edit Music using Garageband YouTube playlist with Video Tutorials

In Conclusion

I hope this list of resources helps you get started on your musical freestyle! I have a FREE Freestyle Facebook Group where you can ask questions and connect with other equestrians who are on the same journey.

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Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Browse my Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books & e-Books.

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

Related Articles

Dressage Musical Freestyle Rule Changes for 2023

Every four years the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) reviews their dressage tests and makes improvements/changes. This year there were a few notable changes in the freestyle tests that you should keep in mind when preparing to show.

The following changes will be active on December 1, 2022 and count until November 30, 2026.

Choreography Changes by Level

Training Level:

Sandra and Douwe compete in a First level musical freestyle. photo credit spotted vision photography.

• The trot serpentine now specifies TWO or MORE changes of direction with loops no smaller then 15 meters.

• The stretch trot circle in Training level now specifies that it must be ridden in a RISING trot.

First Level:

• The Turn on the Forehand in the Additionally Allowed section has been removed and is no longer permissable.

Second & Third Level:

• No changes to choreography requirements.

Fourth Level:

• They have added Flying Changes of Lead every 4th Stride with a minimum of 3 Changes.

Scoring Changes by Level

Training Level:

• The Medium Walk now has a double co-efficient.

First Level:

• The Leg-Yields (left and right) and the Changes of Lead through Trot now have a double co-efficient.

Second Level:

• New technical scores added for the transitions in and out of medium trot AND the transitions in and out of medium canter.

• New double co-efficients for Medium Walk and the Simple Change of Lead (left and right).

Third Level:

• The Medium Walk, Trot Halfpasses (left and right), Canter Halfpasses (left and right), and the Extended Canter now have double co-efficients.

Fourth Level:

• The Collected Walk, Flying Changes of Lead every 3rd Stride, and the Canter Working Half-Pirouette (left and right) now have double co-efficients.

Make sure you are familiar with the dressage musical freestyle rule changes before you compete in 2023. Dressage rider Ashley Bizelli. Photo Credit: Kimberly Chason

Artistic Scoring Changes

• The Rhythm, Energy, and Elasticity score has been moved from the Technical Marks and added to the Artistic Marks with a co-efficient of 4.

• Harmony co-efficienthas increased to a 4 in Collective Marks (previously a 3).

• Music and Interpretation co-efficients have decreased to a 2 in Collective Marks (previously a 3).

• Degree of Difficulty score has been adjusted depending on the level.

  • First Level co-efficient is a 2

  • Second Level co-efficient is a 3

  • Third/Fourth Level co-efficient is now a 4

Feeling good after our freestyle ride. Photo credit: Spotted Vision Photography

Let’s Review

Overall I like these changes because they place more emphasis on the Harmony and Rhythm, Energy, and Elasticity marks. That should help improve the quality of the freestyle and reward riders that implement classical methods that pay attention to the welfare of the horse.

Click here to view the new USDF freestyle tests.

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About the Author

Hello! My name is Sandra Beaulieu, author of FREESTYLE: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music and it is my goal to provide DIY tools and resources to help you create the musical freestyle of your dreams.

I am a USDF Freestyle Bronze Bar recipient and many of my clients/customers have earned their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Bars in addition to year end awards and championship placings.

As a USDF “L” Graduate I can offer an inside perspective from the judge’s booth, giving you an added advantage in the show arena.

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Download Free Resources

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Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books and e-Books.

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

Smartphone Apps to Help with your Dressage Musical Freestyle

Smartphones can be very useful in the creation of your musical freestyle. Rider: Mary Jo Zanolli Photo credit: Kimberly Chason

Here are some popular apps that will help you will different aspects of freestyle design. Most of these apps are available on both iPhone and Android but I have only included links to the iTunes store. Send me an email (beginthedance@gmail.com) if you have found another useful app that you think I should add to this list.

TestPro US Dressage Federation

It is a good idea to have the freestyle tests available for quick reference. I check the tests to make sure I know the required movements for each level and to make sure I am not including anything that is forbidden.

The app also helps you memorize your tests by dragging your finger on the screen movement by movement. It also has a freestyle feature to let you save choreography. Click here to download the TestPro app.

FEI EquiTests 3 - Dressage

If you are showing at the FEI Levels this app has all the regular and freestyle tests available within the app. It has a fun feature that lets you record your own voice reading a dressage test so that you can have the right timing for your horse. Downside is that the app currently (November 2022) costs $9.99. Click here to download the EquiTests app.

BPM by Motokazu Sekine

I use this app on a daily basis to help me find a horse's BPM (beats per minute). There are many BPM and Metronome apps on the market but this one also lets me check the BPM of a song while it is playing in Spotify. Many of the other apps I have tried will not work at the same time as you play a song.

You can use this app to determine whether a song will match your horse's gaits, simple, quick, and easy! You simply tap the beat on the screen. When I use the app I start by tapping my foot to the beat of the song and then tap my finger to help me keep a consistent rhythm. Click here to download the BPM  app.
 

Using a smartphone app to determine the horse’s beats per minute. Photo credit: Kimberly Chason

Soundcorset

This metronome app came highly recommended by a member of the Freestyle Facebook Group. I have since downloaded it to my iPhone and I will test it out myself. You can simply tap the screen to start/stop the metronome and set a visual flash of light if you can't hear the beat. 

It also has a BPM detector that may also be useful to figure out the BPM of a particular song. This app is meant for musicians and has additional features to tune instruments and record music. Click here to download the Soundcorset app.

Spotify

I love using Spotify and I recommend the paid version. You can use Spotify for free but it does not let you click through songs quickly, you have to wait and listen to ads. If you just need the app to help you for a one-time freestyle you can just use the free version.

I save numerous playlists for walk, trot, and canter songs so I can go back later and find something for a new client. I also create playlists for each horse/rider combination and for my own personal horses and themed performances.

Spotify will also recommend songs based on your personal preferences. This has helped me discover new music that I wouldn't have found on my own. However, it is easy to fall down the rabbit hole and listen for hours! But I don't see that as a big problem do you? Click here to download the Spotify app.

Do you have an app you use for musical freestyle? Please leave a comment below, email me at beginthedance@gmail.com, or join the Facebook group and share with the other members. 

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About the Author

Hello! My name is Sandra Beaulieu, author of FREESTYLE: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music and it is my goal to provide DIY tools and resources to help you create the musical freestyle of your dreams.

I am a USDF Freestyle Bronze Bar recipient and many of my clients/customers have earned their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Bars in addition to year end awards and championship placings.

As a USDF “L” Graduate I can offer an inside perspective from the judge’s booth, giving you an added advantage in the show arena.

---

Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

---

Browse my Freestyle E-Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books.

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

Related Articles

How to Create a Musical Freestyle - Learn the Seven Phases of Freestyle Creation

Watch our "Outlander" inspired first level freestyle...photo credit: spotted vision photography

Imagine riding up the centerline to the music of your very own musical freestyle! If you are reading this article you are thinking of, or have decided to, design a musical freestyle. How exciting!

Just think how much fun you and your horse will have dancing to music. I know that my horses enjoy their music and they will start to learn their transitions and follow along. 

This video will give you an overview of what's in store for you in the months ahead. I have broken down the process into Seven Phases to help you keep track of your progress and avoid overwhelm. 

You can just watch the video or scroll down to read a description of each phase. I have also included links to articles and resources to help you along the way.

#1: Plan & Prepare

You are currently in this stage right now, planning ahead for your freestyle. If this is your first time I recommend giving yourself ample time to work on it. There will be a learning curve with the music software and how to choreograph your routine so be careful not to rush yourself.

The best time to start working on a musical freestyle is in your "off" season. If you compete in the summer months try to begin in the winter, right after the holidays is usually a good time to get focused. Download my free Musical Freestyle Checklist to help you stay on track (scroll to the bottom of this article).

#2: Rules & Requirements

You will need to learn the rules that pertain to freestyles at a competition, especially if you want to show at a USDF recognized event. It would be a shame to enter your first show and realize you are missing a movement or get disqualified because your entrance music is too long. There is a handy resource on the USDF website that summarizes the freestyle requirements...click here.

Download the USDF TestPro US Dressage Federation App so that you will have quick access to your freestyle test sheets if you aren't sure about a movement...click here.

#3: Gather Info

In this phase you will be gathering information that will help you find your music and create your choreography. You will need to figure out the beats per minute for your horse's gaits so that you are prepared to select music. Learn how to determine your horse's beats per minute in this article...click here. 

There are many smartphone apps available that will also help you with the BPM's, choreography, and music. Click here to see which apps I use and where to get them. 

#4: Discover your Music

It is a lot easier to find music with the availability of online search. Platforms such as ITunes, Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube will help you find music to match your horse. Don't forget to look in your old CD collection as well, there may be some gems that you forgot about. Click here for some ideas...

If you feel overwhelmed about selecting music, there are some options online for pre-made music such as Marvin's Music and MusiKur.

#5: Choreography

It is a fun challenge to work with a horse and rider to showcase their strengths and downplay their weaknesses. Try to "marry" the music and the choreography together, doing your best to follow the natural progression of the music. Avoid movements that will add stress for you and your horse, your test should HELP you, not hinder your horse's ability. My blank arena diagram sheet is very helpful during the process. Scroll down for your free copy.

If the idea of creating choreography overwhelms you, I have pre-designed routines in my Freestyle Choreography e-books. If you don't see the level you want just sent me an email (beginthedance@gmail.com) and I will let you know when it is available.

#6: Edit, Edit, Edit

This is perhaps going to be the longest, most frustrating stage of the game. Keep faith! You are so close to the end it should help you gain momentum to push through. If you are not very "techy" this part of the process can be outsourced to a friend or a professional. I have gathered together some popular music software and extra options in this article...click here.

If you get stressed out, take a break and try one of the four ways I stay motivated. Read the article here.

#7: Go to a Show

Time to take your freestyle for a trial run! Keep in mind that the first show is a learning experience. You will become familiar with the process, how to submit your music to show staff, the sound check, how to deal with different sound systems, and most importantly...how does your horse do with the freestyle at a show. 

You may discover that your horse's tempo is a lot faster than normal or he/she spooks at the speakers set too close to the arena. After you receive feedback from your judge you can go back to the drawing board, adjusting choreography and music based on their scores. 

Here's some advice, do not drastically change your freestyle based on ONE judge's opinion! The artistic scores can vary widely from judge to judge. For example: One of my clients rode her new First Level freestyle at a schooling show and received a score in the low 60's, the artistic scores ranged from a 6 to a 6.5. She rode the EXACT same freestyle at a USDF Recognized show for an "S" judge and received a 76%! All 8's in the artistic scores.

Artistic value is in the eye of the beholder, don't lose faith if one judge does not resonate with your music. 

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Download my Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Browse my Freestyle E-Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle e-Books.

Related Freestyle Articles

DIY? Custom? Learn the Pros and Cons for your Dressage Musical Freestyle...

Learn how to create a dressage musical freestyle.  Click here.

Do you have the time and energy for DIY freestyle or would you rather pass along the task to a professional?

There are a variety of ways to complete a musical freestyle but for the sake of simplicity I have broken it down into three choices to  narrow your focus.

DIY & On a Budget

Creating a musical freestyle can be a very rewarding experience. On the flip side it takes a lot of time and energy, especially if you are new to freestyle design.

Make sure to give yourself enough time to accommodate the learning curve that comes with the tech and choreography. Typically,  I recommend 2-3 months at a minimum. Use my book FREESTYLE: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music to help you during the process.

Pros:
* Cheapest Option
* Learn the Process for Future Freestyles
* Edit as Often as you Like (especially after each show based on judge's commentary)
* Express your Creativity
* Gain a Sense of Accomplishment

Cons:
* Possible Frustration
* It will probably take a lot Longer than you Anticipate
* You will mostly likely run into Tech Issues
* You may not reach your Show Deadline

Learn how to design your very own Dressage Musical Freestyle. Click here

With Some Help & a Moderate Budget

This is the route I see many adult amateurs take. They want to stay on a budget but are not quite capable, or confident, to put in the extra time to learn the tech side of freestyle design.

Typically, riders will outsource the music editing because they are not familiar with the  software. It is a smart decision considering the learning curve can be quite frustrating! Click here to take the guesswork out of choreography design with my e-books.

Pros:
* Learn the Process
* Outsource the Parts you Don't want to Do
* Outsource the Parts you Don't have the Skills to Do
* Express your Creativity
* Feel a Sense of Accomplishment

Cons:
* Costs more to purchase Pre-Made music or Hire Help
* You may run into Tech Issues
* You may not reach your Show Deadline
* You may have Trouble finding good Help

Save Time & Energy with a Custom Freestyle

If you are a professional rider that is too busy with training clients and competitions, this is your best option. Adult amateur riders that are competitive and going to a lot of recognized shows will also benefit from a professional's touch. Every designer has a unique creation process and style to their freestyles.

Pros:
* Works with a Busy Schedule
* Great Option if you Lack Creativity
* Takes the Worry out of the Process
* Can be a lot of Fun to test out the Music and Choreography
* Additional Support and Encouragement

Cons:
* Most Expensive
* Can be Frustrating waiting on the Designer
* You may end up on a Waiting List during busy Seasons
* You may have to pay for additional Edits and Changes

I hope that diving deeper into the Pros and Cons of each process has helped you decide on the best course of action for you. If you have any questions you can post them in the Freestyle Facebook Group.

Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Browse my Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books.

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

Related Articles

Four Ways to Stay Motivated as you Create Your Dressage Musical Freestyle

Creating a musical freestyle takes time. You may begin the process all gung-ho and then find that your motivation lessens as time passes.

So far on your freestyle journey you have clarified your goals, decided on a course of action, gathered your resources, found your BPMs, and started the music search. 

Whenever I feel a lack of inspiration I spend some time doing the following. I would love to know how you stay inspired. Please share in the comments below or with the Freestyle Facebook group. 

Go to a Show

If you have the opportunity to attend a live event I think that it can help spark motivation. Even a local schooling show with one freestyle can motivate you. Watching a fellow rider in the ring, showing their finished freestyle is encouraging. Sometimes the lack of entries is also inspiring, it confirms the fact that creating freestyles is a lot of work and it means that your freestyle will stand out from the crowd.

Make plans to attend a big show if you live near high-profile showgrounds like Saugerties, NY or Tryon, NC. Are you making plans to attend the World Equestrian Games coming up this September (2018)? Regional and National Championship shows typically showcase the freestyles in the evening for the enjoyment of the audience. 

Watch YouTube

This is by far the quickest way to get motivated and inspire new ideas. I have saved individual Playlists for each level, Training through Grand Prix, and would love your help to add more. If you want to inspire other riders please send it along. Click on the freestyle level you are interested in seeing, the link will take you to my YouTube playlist for that level.  

• Training
• First
• Second
• Third
• Fourth
• Intermediare
• Grand Prix

If you have a video you would like me to add, please post the link in the comments below, email me at beginthedance@gmail.com, or post your video in the Freestyle Facebook Group. I would love to share your finished freestyle, it doesn't matter if you are starting out at Training level.

Browse Quotes

When I am feeling down I jump onto Pinterest and start searching for motivational quotes and sayings. There aren't that many quotes related to musical freestyle...believe me I know! That's why I have created my own using quotes related to dancing, music, and riding. Click here to browse my collection of quotes here on my website or you can follow my Dressage Musical Freestyle board on Pinterest. 

Join a Community

Being a part of a group of like-minded riders is helpful to stay inspired and get encouragement. I started a Freestyle Facebook Group specifically for riders that want to ask questions, share their journey, and receive encouragement along the way. It is a positive group of ladies, many of them I know in "real life" too! Click here to join.

You can also join a few other Facebook groups called Musical Freestyle (Dressage Kur) and Musical Freestyle Dressage. 

There are also two online forums that you can ask questions and interact with other members on the topics of musical freestyle. These are the two that I recommend, the Chronicle of the Horse Forum and the Definitely Dressage Observation Lounge Forum.

If you find any other fun, positive groups online please let me know in the comments below or email me at beginthedance@gmail.com. I hope this post helped you find some motivation to continue working on your freestyle. Don't worry, everyone gets stuck, I think it is basically a right of passage! When you are struggling through the third, even tenth edit of your freestyle music it can feel like it is taking forever! Good luck!

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Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Browse my Freestyle E-Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle e-Books.

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

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Where to Find Music for Your Dressage Musical Freestyle

Searching for freestyle music is usually the part of the freestyle process that everyone seems to enjoy. However, it can be overwhelming if you don't know where to begin.

Before you search for your freestyle music you will need to figure out your horse's BPMs so you can narrow down your choices and save time.

Save a Playlist

I like to search and save freestyle music on my Spotify app so that I can listen to it while I am riding. You can create one playlist for your horse and extra playlists for each gait or different themes if you are still choosing one.

Don’t have Spotify? You can also use iMusic if you have an Apple computer, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music, and other music apps depending on your preference. Just search ‘music’ in your App Store.

Use an App to Check Song BPM

As you are saving music, it is helpful to use a smartphone app to check a song’s BPM on the fly. I play the song in Spotify and then open my BPM app to tap the screen. When you listen to the song begin to tap your foot to the beat and that is usually your BPM. Do a Google search of the song if you aren’t sure. Sometimes a song will sound like the canter when you are in your car but when you actually check the BPM it may not match your horse.

Pick a Theme

I find it easier to start with a theme or genre to help me narrow down music choices. Don’t worry if you change your mind as you go…just use a theme as a starting point so you feel that you have a sense of direction.

Some theme ideas:

Mary-Jo uses her smartphone to check her freestyle music. Photo Credit: Kimberly Chason

• Movie soundtracks like Zorro, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Spirit

• TV Soundtracks like Outlander and Game of Thrones

• Favorite Bands or Songs on the Radio (not sure about the lyrics? Keep reading down below)

• Time Period like music from the Medieval, Renaissance, or Victorian era

• Musical Genres like Jazz, Classical, Hip Hop, and Folk Music

• Broadway Musicals like Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and West Side Story

More theme ideas:

• Horse Breed ex; a Mustang rides to Spirit or an Andalusian rides to Flamenco

• Horse coat color ex; Black horse rides to Black Horse and a Cherry Tree or Zorro soundtrack

• Age of Horse & Rider ex; a young rider would look cute to something like the Minions soundtrack or Peanuts

• Size of Horse ex; a very large draft horse lends itself to something powerful and dramatic (think Gettysburg soundtrack) as opposed to a pony that needs something cute and light (think Disney themes)

Too Many Lyrics?

Is there a particular song on the radio that you just love? Lyrics are discouraged in the show arena (unless they lend a special quality to the performance) but you can typically find a variety of cover songs and remakes online.

Search the song name in your music app and add keywords ‘instrumental’ or ‘cover’ to help narrow your search. Some of my favorite bands that create instrumental cover songs are Vitamin String Quartet, Eklipse, and The Piano Guys.

When you think of your favorite style of music keep in mind how it makes you feel. Gravitate towards music that gives you confidence and keeps you focused, some music can create a lot of excitement that might translate into tension at a horse show.

If you haven't started already, I hope this article inspires you to begin your music search. Putting together your own musical freestyle is a challenge but well worth it in the end.

---

Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Browse my Freestyle E-Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle e-Books.

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

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How to Determine your Horse's BPMs for your Dressage Musical Freestyle...

Learn how to create a dressage musical freestyle. Click here.

I get asked about BPMs (beats per minute) frequently from riders who need help finding freestyle music. They know that they need to figure out their horse's bpms but aren't quite sure what that means or how to go about it. It is actually quite simple once you give it a try. I have included a few different methods, hopefully one of them will work for you!

Why You Need To Figure Out Your Horse's BPM:

Every piece of music has it's own beats per minute. When you match your horse's bpm to the music's bpm you can feel confident that the music will match. Of course, there is more to it than just matching the bpm (picking a theme, matching personality, and whether your horse enjoys it as well) but is a good place to start. 

Items You Will Need

• A Timer or Cell Phone (with one of apps listed below)

• Leg Wraps - use one easy-to-see color

• Video Camera (optional)

• A Helper/Assistant

Start by wrapping one of your horse's front legs with a colored polo wrap. You only need this one wrap but the leg will show up better in a video if all the legs are wrapped with just one that is brightly colored.

Learn how to find your horse's BPMs for your musical freestyle.

I suggest that you warm up first so that you can be sure to have the best representation of your horse's working gait.

Every time that front leg touches the ground at the walk or trot, you will count it as one “beat”. At the canter, you count the leading foreleg as one “beat” when it strikes the ground.

Use a Timer

Using a stopwatch or the timer on your cell phone, have your assistant set the timer for one minute. Have them count the number of footfalls (of that one foreleg) while you ride your horse in a consistent working walk, trot or canter. As long as the horse stays steady and your helper is a good counter (haha) you will have your bpm. You may want to take an average after multiple tries.

Use an App

Have your ground person use a metronome app on your phone, adjusting it up or down until the “beep” sound of the metronome matches the footfall of the wrapped leg. A good app to try is Metronome.

OR

Have your ground person use a BPM app, tapping the screen every time your horse's front leg touches the ground. It will give you the average bpm within a few strides, try it a few times to double check consistency. I have been using the BPM by Motokazu Sekine for many years.

Take A Video

Take this opportunity to have your assistant video your horse at a consistent walk, trot and canter. Make sure to include your working gaits and lengthened/extended movements. Stay in each working gait for at least one full minute. You can count the footfalls from the comfort of your own home on your computer. The video will also be helpful for you to test out different pieces of music.

Here are some basic BPM guidelines:
Walk- between 50-65 BPM
Trot- between 75-90 BPM
Canter- between 95-110 BPM
Passage/Piaffe- between 60-65 BPM

*Generally the canter is twice the beats of the walk and the trot lies somewhere in between.

---

Browse my Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish with my Freestyle Guide or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books.

SECOND LEVEL Choreography eBook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music - Signed by Author

$34.95

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Sandra Beaulieu and Rovandio - Second Level Dressage Musical Freestyle to Pop Violin Music

When you dance, your purpose is not to
get to a certain place on the floor.
It's to enjoy each step along the way.
- Wayne Dyer

After a long hiatus from the dressage competition arena, I decided it would be fun to work on my USDF Freestyle Bronze Bar with Douwe and Rovandio. To earn this award, the rider needs two freestyle scores (above 65%) at First level, two scores at Second level, and two scores at Third level from recognized shows. Douwe earned both of our First Level scores and Rovandio earned both of our Second Level scores in one weekend! I am so proud of them, they seemed to enjoy themselves and I did too! Last week I shared Douwe's First Level Musical Freestyle inspired by the TV show Outlander (click here to watch). Here is Rovandio's Second Level Freestyle with recognizable music played by a pop violin band named Escala. I found them on Spotify and loved their renditions of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir", The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony", and Karl Jenkin's "Palladio". Enjoy!

Inspired to create your own musical freestyle? Enter your email below for my FREE downloads including a Musical Freestyle Checklist to keep you on track and Blank Choreography Pages to sketch your routines. You can also learn more about my Custom Freestyle Design and Freestyle Workshops. Click here. 

Thank you Adam's Horse Supplies!

My new sponsors Adam's Horse Supplies generously outfitted me with new Ariat show boots, a Goode Rider show shirt, Toklat saddle pads, a ThinLine pad for Douwe, and a Micklem bridle for Rovandio for our freestyle debut.  

Adam's is located in Winthrop, ME but has an excellent selection online and they offer incredible sales and discounts. 

Sandra Beaulieu & Friesian Douwe - "Outlander"-Inspired First Level Musical Freestyle

We dance for laughter,
we dance for tears,
we dance for madness,
we dance for fears,
we dance for hopes,
we dance for screams,
we are the dancers,
we create the dreams.
                  -Albert Einstein

After a long hiatus from the dressage competition arena, I decided it would be fun to work on my USDF Freestyle Bronze Bar with Douwe and Rovandio. To earn this award, the rider needs two freestyle scores (above 65%) at First level, two scores at Second level, and two scores at Third level from recognized shows. Douwe earned both of our First Level scores and Rovandio earned both of our Second Level scores in one weekend! I am so proud of them, they seemed to enjoy themselves and I did too! If you watch the TV series Outlander you will recognize the music, the tempo and drama of the music really go with Douwe's stride. Enjoy!

Are you inspired to start working on your First Level musical freestyle?

FIRST LEVEL Choreography Ebook for Dressage Musical Freestyle

$29.00

My "how-to" e-book will take you through the creation process of your very own freestyle. 

• 10 Fully Choreographed Test Patterns! Just Add Music!
• 37 pages of choreography!  
• 7 Online Resources to help you find freestyle music.
• Creative freestyle questionnaire to help get your creative juices flowing!
• Freestyle checklist to help you stay on track.
• Blank arena diagram pages for you to take notes and draw your own choreography.
• Rules to remember, arena & sound requirements, copyright laws and more!

I also offer CUSTOM FREESTYLE design and FREESTYLE WORKSHOPS. Click here to learn more. 

Create Your Own First Level Musical Freestyle! Sample Videos of Good Choreography & Music Selection

If you are creating a first level musical freestyle, please check out my First Level eBook.  In the eBook, you will find choreography you can use and resources on where to find freestyle music. While I was creating the book, I watched a lot of First Level freestyle videos on YouTube. Below are some of my favorites with bulleted points detailing why.

Watch these videos to help inspire you with ideas for your freestyle!

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Video #1: Recognizable Music Suitable To The Breed

The music in this freestyle matches the horse's physique and movements wonderfully.

• Recognizable music (and same theme used throughout).
• Choreography matches music.
• Music accentuates horse's impressive movement and figure.

 Even though some soundtracks have been "over-used", that doesn't mean that you shouldn't go for it if you really love the music. I think James Bond would have chosen a Friesian, don't you?

Video #2: Music Expressing Rhythm and Tempo of Horse's Gaits

This freestyle demonstrates a seamless combination of choreography and music.

• Choreography reflects changes in music.
• Music matches tempo of horse's gaits.
• Orchestral pieces match the regal air of the horse.
• Cohesiveness to music and seamless editing.
• Creative use of serpentine to demonstrate counter canter.
• Balanced use of space and cohesive routine design.

Lovely freestyle!

Video #3: Ease of Accomplishing Patterns and Obvious Trust Between Horse and Rider

This pair demonstrates synchrony and confidence of horse and rider.

• Music matches rhythm and tempo of horse's gait
• Playful and pretty trot music gives indication of energy and emphasizes horse's character.
• Coherent music theme.
• Choreography of transitions matches changes in music.
• Canter music is graceful and matches horse's physique.
• Extended canter on the diagonal showcases higher difficulty, along with the counter-canter.

Beautiful pair!

Video #4: Use of Vocals Does Not Detract From Elegant Performance

This pair shows beautiful harmony and the music and choreography enhances the horse's punchy and handsome gaits and physique.

• Use of vocals does not take away from elegance of test.
• Music matches horse's rhythm and tempo of gaits and charming and handsome physique and coloring.
• Transitions in music are obvious and match choreography.
• Impressive leg yield!
• Rider and horse performed in obvious harmony.

Nicely done!

If you would like to watch more videos, I have a special First Level Freestyle Playlist on my YouTube Channel.  Sign up for my free downloads to help you get started with your freestyle.

 Please leave a comment below or send any questions to beginthedance@gmail.com.

Have fun creating!