equipment

1
equipment

• dressage arena, correctly measured, with a
  suitable surface
• dvd/video recorder
• stop watch
• cd player, mp3 or i pod
• computer, laptop
• a good selection of music..........god bless i
  tunes!

2
software applications

• apple - logic express (approx 200)
• audacity - free (steeper learning curve!)
• multi track editing
• fade in, fade out
• compress and expand without changing pitch, avoid
  distorting the music
• write your own music with garage band ( apple)

3
Preparation

• Familiarise yourself with the compulsory
  movements of the level you are riding
• Write down optional movements you think will
• suit your horse - fuel your imagination
• Prepare your arena, measure it carefully
• Check equipment is working and batteries are
  charged, ie dvd/video recorder, music player, etc
• make the first draft on paper
• enlist help!
• enlist help!

4
floor planThe intro

• intro or entrance No more than 20 seconds
• decide in which pace and from which rein you want
  to make your entrance
• pick your point outside the arena where you will
  start, stay close to the boards
• halt must be on the centre line - you decide
  where
• allow 5 seconds for halt and salute

5
floor planwalk, trot and canter

• decide the order of the paces
• make sure to include all compulsory movements
• use your chosen optional movements to enhance
  your horses strong points
• keep a sense of symmetry
• some movements can, and should be repeated, eg
  medium trot
• time each section - walk, trot and canter,
  leaving enough time for the final centre line

6
floor planthe finale

• use as much of the arena (from the a end) as
  possible for the finale - this gives you options
• finish with a bit of a flourish - this rounds off
  the test .......but.....
• prepare your final halt well, go out on a good
  note!

7
floor plan

• ride through your plan - see if it flows
• time each section separately - write down
• time the full program from the move off after the
  first halt, to the final halt
• aim to finish about 15 seconds over the minimum
  and 15 seconds under the max time allowed
• adjust as necessary, then time it again
• record the full program on dvd or video
• time the recording!

8
musicselecting a theme

• pick a music genre that suits the personality of
  the horse/rider combination
• keep the theme throughout - mixing different
  types of music will give a disjointed feel
• the use of lyrics - very popular now - when used
  well and in moderation can enhance and add
  atmosphere to the program

9
musictiming the paces

• the most important point to remember the walk -
  4 time pace, trot - 2 time, canter - 3 time
• this determines the type of beat needed for
  each section
• beats per minute calculation - visual, metronome,
  computer imaging
• try to choose music that fits the horse rather
  than changing the tempo of the paces to fit the
  music
• beware of getting too hung up on matching every
  footfall to every beat - focus on flow

10
musiccutting and mixing

• select a suitable portion of music from each of
  your chosen tracks, time the length carefully
• start and finish where natural breaks occur in
  the music - this makes mixing easier esp if you
  are using cd recorder
• overlap by 2-3 seconds to avoid gaps
• if using computer software fade or echo the seams
• save all changes
• time each section, then the complete program

11
the moment of truth

• once you are happy the timing of the dvd matches
  the music - burn your cd - audio cd
• play the music and watch the dvd simultaneously a
  couple of times before you go out to ride - save
  your horses legs!
• before you ride your new freestyle be sure to
  warm up your horse correctly, as if you were
  going to ride a test
• once you are happy it works - make two copies

12
dos and dontsdo not!!!

• sacrifice technical correctness for artistic
  drama
• let your personal taste in music over ride common
  sense
• use music a famous combination have been
  successful with, eg carmina burana and rusty
• listen to your music every waking hour coming up
  to the competition - you will get sick of it
• over practice the routine on your horse - he will
  get sick of it

13
dos and dontsdo!

• allow lots of time to prepare - im talking
  weeks!
• make sure you have help
• keep it simple - an uncomplicated program well
  performed will impress more than an ambitious one
  that goes pear shaped
• after competitions read the judges comments -
  take on board their suggestions
• remember - your freestyle to music is a work in
  progress