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, 2026 and count until November 30, 2030.
Choreography Changes
Luckily for us freestyle designers and riders, there are no significant changes to the required movements. The minimum distances for lateral work remain the same, and the coefficients haven't changed either. So, that's good news!
The most notable difference for First through Fourth Level appears in the Additionally Allowed section at the bottom of the test sheet. Lengthened, medium, or extended trot and canter are still permitted on curved lines, but there is now an additional restriction: you cannot ride more than half of a 20-meter circle.
In other words, you can no longer ride a full 20-meter circle in extended trot or canter, although I can't imagine you'd want to make your horse work that hard in an extended gait anyway!
Sandra and Rovandio compete in a Second level musical freestyle. Photo credit: Spotted Vision Photography
Scoring Changes
A couple of other small rule changes worth noting:
The 30-second entry rule is still in effect! DR 129, which requires riders to enter the arena within 30 seconds of the signal, has been removed from the individual test score sheet. However, it is still included in the Musical Freestyle Guidelines, so don't assume this rule has disappeared! Riders still need to be aware of the 30-second requirement.
Overtime Fault: The penalty for going over the allowed time has changed from deducting 1 point from the Artistic Marks to deducting 0.5% from the Artistic Marks. The result is essentially the same, but this may make the calculation a little easier for show management.
Make sure you are familiar with your dressage musical freestyle score sheets before you compete in 2027. Dressage rider Ashley Bizelli. Photo Credit: Kimberly Chason
Artistic Scoring Changes
The Music and Interpretation scores have now been combined into a single score on all Freestyle tests from Training Level through Fourth Level.
Previously, these were scored separately, each with a coefficient of 2. Now they are combined into one score with a coefficient of 4. This means the overall weighting remains exactly the same, but the scoring process is a little simpler for judges when tallying the final results.
Let’s Review
Overall the changes are minor and will not affect the overall flow of your freestyle test, unless you had previously included a full 20 meter circle of lengthened, medium, or extended trot or canter.
Click here to view the new USDF freestyle tests.
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 Free Resources
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.
This Ebook dives deeper into choreography, specifically for Third 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! 🎶
Sometimes you just need a little inspiration to get you going… this e-book will help get your creative choreography ideas flowing! 😊
It will also help you design your freestyle quickly and on a budget.
10 Fully Choreographed Test Patterns! Just Add Music!
41 pages of unique choreography!
Blank arena diagram page for you to print and draw your own choreography
Musical Freestyle Checklist to help you stay organized
If you need help with the ENTIRE freestyle creation process check out my book The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music or join the Dressage Freestyle Academy (online course).
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.
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.