Creative Choreography for your First Level Dressage Musical Freestyle
Douwe competing a First level Freestyle. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
I hope this article helps you with some ideas for your First Level freestyle! In general try to create a pattern that helps your horse perform with confidence and score well in your technical marks.
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 please send me an email at beginthedance@gmail.com.
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Helpful worksheets, checklists, and my favorite apps/resources to help you get started on your musical freestyle today!
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.
This is the Second Edition with a brand new look and unique pre-choreographed tests. If you need help designing your First Level musical freestyle, this e-book is meant for you. It reviews the required freestyle test movements, offering a variety of ways to perform them with your horse. It also includes TEN ready-to-ride freestyles that you can choose from - just add music!
You can also use this Ebook if you need to create a freestyle in a hurry or to move up to the next level.
This ebook includes:
10 Fully Choreographed Test Patterns
38 Pages of Choreography
Blank Arena Diagram Pages (for you to take notes and draw your own choreography)
Musical Freestyle Checklist
You can also join the Create Your Own Musical Freestyle Facebook Group where you can ask questions and share your freestyle videos to gain valuable feedback from a community of like-minded, creative equestrians!
Note: This is a DIGITAL product so you will not receive anything in the mail. After your purchase you will be taken to a page with the link to download the .pdf document. You will also receive an email with the same link. You will need Adobe Reader to view the .pdf document. Click here if you do not have Adobe.
The download link will only stay active for 24 hours (a security feature of this website). If you are unable to download the e-book within that time frame don’t worry, just send me an email at beginthedance@gmail.com and I will send you the file attached to the email so that you can download it at any time.
This Ebook dives deeper into choreography, specifically for Second Level. It covers the required movements, offering a variety of ways to include them in your freestyle. It also includes TEN ready-to-ride freestyles that you can choose from - just add music!
NEW Version recently updated March 2022!
Use this eBook if you need to create choreography for your freestyle quickly and on a budget. This ebook includes:
10 Fully Choreographed Test Patterns! Just Add Music!
43 pages of unique choreography!
Blank arena diagram page for you to print and draw your own choreography
*** RULE CHANGES for 2019 *** Please note that the qualifying score to compete a musical freestyle has been changed from a 60% to a 63%! You also need to show at least one of your medium trot and canter on a STRAIGHT line. You may ride a medium trot/canter on a bending line for artistic marks but it will not count towards your technical score.
If you need help with the ENTIRE freestyle creation process check out my book The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music.
Take a moment to join the Create Your Own Musical Freestyle Facebook Group where you can ask questions and share your freestyle videos to gain valuable feedback from a community of like-minded, creative equestrians!
Note: This is a DIGITAL product so you will not receive anything in the mail. After your purchase you will be taken to a page with the link to download the .pdf document. You will also receive an email with the same link. You will need Adobe Reader to view the .pdf document. Click here if you do not have Adobe.
The download link will only stay active for 24 hours (a security feature of this website). If you are unable to download the e-book within that time frame don’t worry, just send me an email at beginthedance@gmail.com and I will send you the file attached to the email so that you can download it at any time.
2020 Equus Film Festival Winner in the Equine Training Category!
This book will inspire and educate riders of all levels on how to create a musical freestyle. I focused on three areas, riding to music for personal enjoyment/training, for the competition arena, and also for exhibitions. This is a hefty book at 279 pages and covers a broad range of information.
Your copy will be signed! There is a place for you to enter a special message if this is a gift.
Includes 338 Choreography Diagrams for USDF Freestyle (Training - Fourth Level) and for WDAA Freestyle (Basic - Level 4). Yes it includes western dressage! Freestyle is quickly becoming a popular class within the discipline.
Interviews with today’s top riders and performers including Mario Contreras, Marsha Sapp, Lindsey Partridge, Tik Maynard, Frances Carbonnel, Luke Gingrich, Nancy Conley, Elizabeth James, and many more!
Related Articles
Are you ready to bring your Second Level freestyle to life? Designing choreography at this stage can feel both exciting and overwhelming—there are more movements to include, more creativity to play with, and more opportunities to showcase your horse. 🎶
These choreography tips will give you a solid starting point to build a freestyle that is clear, flowing, and judge-friendly.
Sandra runs through all the required movements - Medium Trot and Canter, Shoulder-In, and Simple Changes to name a few!