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.

CLICK HERE FOR THE WDAA FREESTYLE TESTS

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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!

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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. 😀

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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.

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 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 PLUS ADDITIONAL WORKSHEETS AND DIAGRAMS TO HELP YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY.

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. 😀

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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.

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

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.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FEI FREESTYLE TESTS 👈🏼

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.

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

Creative Centerlines for your Dressage Musical Freestyle

Make a strong first impression with your musical freestyle! Your entrance sets the stage, just like the opening scene of a movie or the start of a song, creating the mood and giving the judge a glimpse of what's to come. Whether you're at a beginner level or beyond, there are plenty of ways to grab attention from the start.

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

Use Lyrics

Lyrics are becoming a popular choice for musical freestyles, but it’s important to pick songs that enhance your routine, not distract from it. Fun song openings or catchy jingles can set the tone and bring a smile to the audience.

For example, I once designed a freestyle using the iconic intro to James Brown’s "I Feel Good." It was instantly recognizable and helped make a great impression on both the judge and audience. The rest of the routine followed the same genre and received plenty of compliments.

For my client Carolena, we used “Lollipop” for her entrance. She nailed the halt and salute to the recognizable "pop" sound, adding charm to her Training Level freestyle. The routine continued with fun songs like “Sandman” and “Tweedle Dee.”

Consider iconic lines from movies like “Bond...James Bond” or Broadway hits like “He’s here, the Phantom of the Opera!” These memorable phrases make for great entrances.

The beauty of using lyrics is that the music doesn’t always need to match your horse’s stride. While it’s ideal, the entrance is all about making an impression and setting the stage. If the lyrics are right, go for it—even if the beats aren’t perfect!

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

Use Transitions

Transitions like walk to trot, trot to canter, or walk to canter are often overlooked, yet they can really elevate your freestyle. At lower levels, centerline options are limited, but using entrance music with clear transitions can boost your artistic scores and showcase your technical skills to 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.

More 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 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.

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

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

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