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Musical Freestyle

Dressage Musical Freestyle combines the elegance and beauty as well as the power and strength of the horse with the stirring impact of music. This creative expression of the horse-rider relationship is entertaining and offers great audience appeal. The tests are offered from First to Fourth levels through the USDF, while the FEI is responsible for Para Equestrian, Junior Young Riders, Young Riders, Intermediate I, Grand Prix, and FEI Pony. Musical Freestyles are a component of the dressage competition at the Olympics, and World Equestrian Games.

Who Can Do It?

The horse and rider combination must be secure in the execution of all the technical requirements. It is recommended that they compete in freestyle one level below that which they are showing in order to maintain quality in their presentation.

There is an eligibility requirement for entering and competing in a freestyle class at a United States Equestrian Federation recognized competition. Check the USDF Freestyle Rules and Guidelines for details.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements of each level mirror the training and balance expected in the compulsory tests for that level. Technical Execution (the judging of the compulsory elements) and Artistic Impression both count for 50% of the score sheet. However the technical components of Rhythm, Energy and Elasticity and the Harmony Between Horse and Rider are scored on under Artistic Impression, revealing the great importance of competence and ease in the execution of the movements.

Music

The music chosen will depend on the horse's movement, type, personality and the rider's own musical tastes, but should serve to accentuate all of them. The various pieces should also match the tempos of his gaits.  Music can be found in a variety of genres and styles such as classical, show tunes, movie scores, rock, orchestral versions of pop and so on.  Whichever you choose, the same genre should be used throughout the freestyle in order to create a cohesive flow in the musical style. Listen to your music carefully. Can you hear parts that sound like a half pass or leg yield; a transition; a lengthening? Finding the right music can be challenging but fun. Use traditional and online music stores and your local library. Some dressage websites offer musical freestyle databases.

Choreography

The choreography offers the opportunity to be creative and to show what the horse does well.  It must incorporate all the technical requirements for the level, avoid those from above the designated level, and choose a degree of difficulty that corresponds to the horse's abilities so that the ride looks easy. The horse and rider combination must be secure in the execution of all the technical requirements for that level. Interpretation is also a key element. Movements and figures should be started at the beginning of musical phrases, and dynamics such as crescendos can be used to support more powerful movements like extensions. This makes the horse and rider appear to be dancing to its musical accompaniment.

Editing

Smooth editing is essential. Transitions between the musical selections should flow without gaps or pauses. This can be done by a professional service or on a home computer that has an editing program.

USDF Freestyle Awards

The USDF recognizes achievement in freestyle performance with both year-end and cumulative achievement awards. The Adequan Musical Freestyle Award is an annual horse and rider award with prizes to winners at First through Fourth Levels, Intermediate I and Grand Prix. The USDF Musical Freestyle Bar is a cumulative rider award. It parallels the USDF Rider Medal awards with Bronze representing First through Third Levels, Silver for Fourth Level or for JR/YR the Prix St. Georges FS, and Gold for Intermediate I/Intermediate II and Grand Prix. A Musical Freestyle Bar can only be awarded after a rider has earned the respective regular USDF Bronze, Silver or Gold Medals. A rider can earn a Freestyle Bar in the same year as they are earning a respective medal. See our awards page for more information.

Growth Statistics

Since 1997, the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has collected statistics on the number of riders qualifying for the freestyle championship classes at each of the USEF/USDF Regional Dressage Championships. Since no statistics are maintained by any organization for all freestyles ridden during the competition season, the USDF statistics serve as a proxy measure for growth. Freestyles have shown a healthy increase in participation over the years.

Learn More

More information is available on this exciting part of dressage. Click on the links below to access both online information and printed material you can purchase.

If you have any questions, please contact our Programs Coordinator at MusicalFreestyle@usdf.org or (859) 971-2277.