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.
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!
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.
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.
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!