Book Excerpt
Amy Jordan and I discuss potential movements we might use in her Freestyle. Creating your choreography first allows you to create the best routine for you and your horse. Photo by Kimberly Chason
An excerpt from the recently published book Freestyle: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music by Sandra Beaulieu
Choreography Basics Choreography requires as much creative
focus on your horse’s strengths such as
You have a choice to enter the arena at the
thinking as does your music choices. This
gaits, straightness, ride-ability, etc. Use the
walk or trot/jog through Third Level and
part can be a lot of fun for those who enjoy
movements to prepare your horse for success
Level 3. When you reach Fourth Level or Level
drawing floorplans and piecing together
and give you confidence as a rider.
4 you may also choose to canter/lope up the
puzzles. If you start to get overwhelmed at
centerline. Most riders choose to trot/jog to
the thought of creating a routine, there are
Put Your Best Foot Forward
a few ways to make the process a lot easier.
When you plan your opening centerline,
cus. However, you can also choose the walk if
begin by entering the arena from your
that would help your horse stay relaxed and
Routine First
begin with energy and to help the horse fo-
horse’s “better side.” Most horses have a
balanced. A walk entrance can be dramatic if
I recommend that riders new to Freestyle
shoulder they tend to lean toward, and they
it matches the music. I sometimes include
design create a routine first, and then add the
may drift that way on the centerline. Practice
transitions on my centerline, for example,
music to it. This allows you to concentrate on
entering the ring from both directions, and
by starting at the walk to the music and then
the routine without getting overwhelmed.
choose the direction that is easier for you to
trotting when the music changes. A transi-
Starting with choreography helps you
maintain balance and straightness.
tion can help the horse settle and balance.
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Winter 2020/21 | Riding Instructor
