Western Dressage has Musical Freestyle too! Here's what you need to know...
Yes, you can dance down centerline in a western saddle—and look amazing doing it.
Have you ever watched a dressage musical freestyle and thought, “That looks like so much fun... too bad I ride western”? Well, saddle up, because Western Dressage riders absolutely can compete in musical freestyles—and there are more opportunities than you might think.
Competing with a Western Freestyle
Marsha Sapp riding Dream the Mustang. photo credit kimberly chason.
The Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) offers freestyle tests from Intro Level all the way to Level 5, just like their classical counterparts. So whether you’re new to dressage or showing off upper-level skills, there’s a place for you in the freestyle arena.
And it’s not just for serious rides. WDAA also hosts a Costume Freestyle class—yes, that means themed outfits, matching music, and pure creative joy—at both their World Championship Show and International Online Challenge. Sparkles and sequins? Totally optional. Fun? Guaranteed.
If you’re planning to create a Western Dressage freestyle, head on over to the WDAA website where you will find the freestyle tests for Intro - 5th Level.
Compete Online or In-Person
Freestyle performances can be entered in:
🏆 The WDAA World Championship Show is located in Guthrie, OK and will be held September 16th - 20th, 2025. If you’re interested in watching this show, you can find the live stream information here.
🌍 The International Online Challenge
(No travel required—you can compete from your home arena!) If you have already created a western freestyle and are interested in competing at the World show or the online international challenge, more information regarding those shows can be found here.
🏠 Local schooling shows also offer the opportunity to practice your freestyle away from home before debuting your routine at a large scale show.
🛜 Online schooling and recognized shows have become increasingly more popular and available for riders. WDAA has an entire calendar devoted to online recognized shows that can be found here.
What’s the difference?
While creating a musical freestyle for Western dressage follows the same steps as a classical dressage freestyle, there are some differences to look out for.
⏱️ Time limits: In the classical dressage freestyles the maximum time given for levels training through 4th is 5 minutes. However in western dressage the time limits vary at almost every level. You’re given 5 minutes for Intro and Basic, 5 and a half minutes for first level, and 6 minutes for second through fifth level.
🏇🏻 Walk / Trot freestyle: While USDF freestyle tests begin at Training Level where canter movements are required, WDAA offers a freestyle test for Intro Level riders where lope is not required.
Movements: Most of the required movemnents in both the USDF and WDAA freestyle tests reflect one another pretty equally, however some movements may have different guidelines. For example: in Training Level a stretchy trot must be shown on a circle, however in the Basic Level test the stretchy trot may be shown on a curved or straight line. If you ride in both disciplines, make sure to double check the requirements for each movement as they could vary slightly and provide different choreography options.
Tori kistler and rovandio. Click here for the WDAA freestyle tests. Photo credit Becky henderson.
Join the Fun!
My student Tori and I have been working together to create a Basic level freestyle this spring and it has been a blast! She was concerned that it might be a bit boring to compete at a lower level, but we actually found it quite challenging to fit all the required movements into the allotted time.
This challenge helped us create a slightly more complicated floor plan that ended up suiting her and Rovandio (my personal horse) very well. Together they’re gearing up to compete in WDAA’s online international show this summer!
Meet the Author
Hello! My name is Sandra Beaulieu. ⭐️ I have created a variety of resources to help you create the freestyle of your dreams. Learn how to do-it-yourself with my Freestyle Book, Choreography e-Books, or the Dressage Freestyle Academy (online course).
Or…I can do it for you with a Custom Freestyle or Music Editing. But first, make sure to sign up for my Freestyle Freebies and stay in touch with me! I would to be a part of your freestyle journey. 😀
Download My Free Resources
Stay organized with these handy Checklists, Worksheets, 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.
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 Basic Level in Western Dressage. It covers the required movements, offering a variety of ways to include them in your freestyle. It also includes TEN ready-to-ride freestyle routines that you can choose from - just add music!
If you need help with the ENTIRE freestyle creation process check out my book The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music.
This ebook includes:
10 Fully Choreographed Test Patterns! Just Add Music!
35 pages of choreography!
Blank arena diagram pages for you to take notes and draw your own choreography
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 Level ONE in Western Dressage. It covers the required movements, offering a variety of ways to include them in your freestyle. It also includes TEN ready-to-ride freestyle routines that you can choose from - just add music!
If you need help with the ENTIRE freestyle creation process check out my book The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music.
This ebook includes:
10 Fully Choreographed Test Patterns! Just Add Music!
38 pages of choreography!
Blank arena diagram pages for you to take notes and draw your own choreography
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
How Long Does it Take to Create a Dressage Musical Freestyle?
A question I am often asked is “How long will it take to create a dressage musical freestyle?” In general it takes most riders somewhere between one to six months to complete their freestyle. However, this is dependent on the rider’s experience, how much time the rider is able to dedicate to their freestyle, and how many challenges they may encounter throughout. But in the end you will be so excited to ride down that centerline and make lasting memories with your horse. 💖
Plan for Success
Set aside as much uninterrupted time as possible for creating your freestyle. Consider taking an entire weekend to devote solely to the creation process. Unless you’ve done this a time or two, you probably will not complete an entire freestyle, but with the help of my Freestyle Freebies, you could be well on your way to dancing down centerline.
Know Your Music 🎶
Become really familiar with your freestyle music by listening to it as much as possible. In the car, at the barn, at home, you get the idea! Knowing your music transitions makes a HUGE difference in the show arena when you are feeling the pressure. Deanna Corby (USDF Grand Prix competitor) shares her thoughts for success in the show arena.
“Creating the freestyle did not take that long - I would say no more than two - three days to figure out what movements worked best with the allotted time frame and the changes in the music. Perfecting the piece took much longer - about two months. I listened to my music every chance I got to make sure I knew the beginning, middle, and end as the parts were coming. I envisioned the movements with my horse in certain sections. It’s very important to end the ride right as the music finishes, so knowing the music really well can help you work through any mistakes that might happen during the ride. For instance, if I made my center circle too large, I know I need to cut off the next corner in my turn to make up time so that I stay on track with the music.” (Excerpt taken from Sandra’s Freestyle book 📚)
Work Together 🤝
Two heads are better than one and working with your friends makes the process even more fun! Nancy Conley (western dressage trainer and upper level competitor) and her friends worked together to choose music that best suited her horse, Truly Unsurpassed (Breyer model horse).
“It took about eight months to develop my musical freestyle. I sent videos of [my horse] Truly Unsurpassed to Esther for her to get the feel and personality of my horse. She then chose several pieces of music for me to pick from that she thought would match my mare’s gaits…We looked at videos and listened to different pieces of music to see how I felt about them. I also had two other friends vote on the music choices. When we listened to the pieces that we really thought fit my horse, we all simultaneously voted for them! We took the next day to ride, video, and get our timing. We then matched the music tempo to Truly Unsurpassed.” (Excerpt from Sandra’s Freestyle book)
Organize 📝
Download Freestyle Freebies to access this Checklist.
Sometimes the conditions are not ideal for riding your freestyle or practicing choreography. I used to live in Maine and I remember those months of snow, freezing rain, and then mud. BUT there’s still plenty to be done while you wait for the rain to pass or the temp to be above freezing. Start sorting through music, draw out choreography ideas, and use recent videos of your horse to figure out their BPMs. During the winter months, Lena Witham (dressage competitor) worked on her First Level dressage freestyle while waiting for better riding weather to practice.
“It took us several months to complete the freestyle, mostly because we could not ride the movements in a large arena to get accurate timing due to winter. Once we were able to ride outside in the large arena and had some assistance with choreography and music editing, it took about a month.” (From Sandra’s FREESTYLE book)
Deadlines! 📆
Are you a major procrastinator, but tend to accomplish a lot when the pressure is on? Give yourself a deadline by picking an upcoming show or event on the calendar. A ride-a-test clinic is a great opportunity to test out your new freestyle as well. My friend, Ashley Mancuso (USDF Grand Prix rider and instructor) was able to pull her basic level western freestyle together in a short period of time with a very specific goal in mind.
“We put this together quickly! As with so many things in life, you have to seize it when you see it. I saw a perfect venue, a perfect time, and we had it worked out in only two weeks.” (Excerpt from Sandra’s Freestyle book)
Losing Motivation?
It can be easy to get bogged down in the creative process and lose your excitement. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. Remember to take a break from your choreography and go for a trail ride instead, rewatch the movie that inspired your routine, or go watch others perform freestyles at a show or exhibition to reignite the spark for creating your own freestyle!
photo credit mareish media
Meet the Author
Hello! My name is Sandra Beaulieu. ⭐️ I have created a variety of resources to help you create the freestyle of your dreams. Learn how to do-it-yourself with my Freestyle Book, Choreography e-Books, or the Dressage Freestyle Academy (online course).
Or…I can do it for you with a Custom Freestyle or Custom Music Editing. But first, make sure to sign up for my Freestyle Freebies and stay in touch with me! I would love to be a part of your freestyle journey. 😀
Download My Free Resources
Stay organized with these handy Checklists, Worksheets, 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.
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 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.
Related Articles
Where to Find Your Dressage Musical Freestyle Test Online
How exciting! You’ve decided to create a dressage musical freestyle! 🎶 Getting started can feel overwhelming, but not to worry, I’m here to help. One of the first steps of creating a musical freestyle is locating your freestyle test.
Below you will find the links to all the different freestyle tests, including the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) tests, the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) tests, and the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) tests.
ashley bizelli reviews her freestyle test. Click here to find the dressage tests for USDF Training - Fourth Level. photo credit kimberly chason.
Links to your Freestyle Test Sheet
On the USDF website you can find the information for Training level - 4th Level freestyles.
CLICK HERE FOR THE USDF FREESTYLE TESTS 👈🏼
If you’re planning to create a Western Dressage freestyle, head on over to the WDAA website where you will find the tests for Intro - 5th Level.
CLICK HERE FOR THE WDAA FREESTYLE TESTS 👈🏼
The FEI website contains the freestyle test information for Pony Riders, Juniors, Young Riders, Intermediate I, Intermediate A/B, and Grand Prix.
Marsha Sapp and Dream review their Western dressage test. Click here for the WDAA freestyle tests. Photo credit KIMBERLY CHASON.
Freestyle Test Tips
Once you’ve located the test for your chosen level and discipline I recommend downloading and printing a copy to work with. Or save a copy to your phone. Your test includes a lot of necessary information for creating a freestyle, such as:
Required Movements (technical marks)
Movements that are “allowed” and “forbidden”
Artistic marks
Time Limits
Information about music failures, errors, and eliminations
Keep your dressage test close by as you go through the choreography and editing process to make sure you include all the required movements and stay under your time limit. 🎶
Meet the Author
Hello! My name is Sandra Beaulieu. ⭐️ I have created a variety of resources to help you create the freestyle of your dreams. Learn how to do-it-yourself with my Freestyle Book, Choreography e-Books, or the Dressage Freestyle Academy (online course).
Or…I can do it for you with a Custom Freestyle or Music Editing. But first, make sure to sign up for my Freestyle Freebies and stay in touch with me! I would to be a part of your freestyle journey. 😀
Download My Free Resources
Stay organized with these handy Checklists, Worksheets, 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.
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 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.
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!