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Introduction Freestyle
Design The
Process Music
Days & More
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Music Days I am often approached by riders who don't compete, or who don't feel ready to compete in a freestyle, but who are intrigued by the idea of riding to music. In order to include more people in the fun of riding to music, I have created a concept called a Music Day. It is, in some ways, a bit like a mini-clinic. Upon request from a small group of riders at a barn, I bring a selection of music of different tempos and styles, and after determining the tempos of each horse, play music for them to trot and canter to. The sessions last around an hour. Riding to music is a departure from the daily training schedule, but by no means interferes with it. It can be a welcome break, giving the horse a chance to be a bit more himself while his rider is busy learning to feel the tempo of the music in the horse's steps. Music with an even tempo is often very useful for riders or horses who don't have a natural sense of rhythm. It helps them to concentrate on keeping the tempo the same, whether doing straight lines, circles, lateral work or extensions. For riders who are thinking about doing freestyles in the future, a Music Day is a great opportunity to get one's feet wet without the pressure of working on or performing an actual freestyle. If you are too far away for me to come to you personally, you can arrange to have your horse's tempos measured using video (or I can guide you through measuring them yourself), and I can then send a tape with a large variety of music for you to use for your own Music Day. Reining
Freestyles After being approached by several members of the reining community about reining freestyles, I have expanded my design services to include this newest discipline in the FEI. Reining made its debut at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera Spain in 2002. As in dressage, reining freestyles are becoming a highlight of competitions. They are based on the same principles of performance as dressage freestyles, with the added bonus that costumes and props are permitted. If you are a reiner and would like to create a freestyle, I can help! Game for Anything If you have a need for music with horses, such as for demonstrations, freestyles in other disciplines, gifts or promotional videos, giddy up! I have even provided the music for a fashion show (no horses), with great results. I’m open to any ideas, as long as they’re clean and safe. I recently worked with a driven dressage competitor at a clinic, and look forward to more fun with music in that discipline too.
Riding to Music Gives a High with no Side Effects.
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