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.
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.
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.
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.
#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.
#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.
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.
