Creating a Kür! (Musical Freestyle)

[QUOTE=exploding pony;7533098]
First, work with someone who knows how to do this :slight_smile:

You get your horse going really well in a lesson and have someone video. All three gaits, both directions.

Calculate your bpm. Start with one gait (I generally do canter, but certainly trot would work). Watch video while playing music that has the correct bpm. Get like 5 options and ride to it with your trainer.

Once you pick that music, you match the next gait and find complimentary music. Then do the walk.

Compose the music then choreograph to the music.

Important note - it’s more important that you pick music that compliments your horse than music that is your personal favorite. At the lower levels you want music that is “friendly”, not overly serious.[/QUOTE]

I’ve been wondering about this as I think about doing a freestyle at some point next season.

I’ve found a lot of music that fits my horse’s gaits very well, but the music doesn’t necessarily fit his personality. For example, several of Enrique Iglesias’ songs fit footfalls of his trot and canter very well, but the beat is a bit too heavy for the way my horse moves. If I had a different horse, perhaps a PRE, that had a more spanish feel then I might use it.

I’ve also found some Sousa marches and Joplin rags that also match the footfalls well, but as much as I like the music for listening, I don’t think I would want to ride to it. I think a lot of different pieces in either category would have to be pieced together to make things work and provide some interest.

Most of the music that I like, that also has some dynamics and phrasing in it, but is way too fast, as in 115-120 bpm and just won’t work.

Then there are some music soundtracks that I like, and I think have an appropriate bpm for different gaits and a beat that isn’t too heavy or too light, but I don’t know if using movie music is a good thing or a bad thing - as in too corny.

Anyone been through a quandary like this? If so, what did you do about it?

I disagree completely with doing choreography first and doing bpms. Take what I say as you will, but I’ve been doing freestyles for 25 years and have all six medals, including all three freestyle medals.

I think you need music YOU love AND when you watch your horse to the music, they look better. Sometimes it actually enhances your horse to have music at a somewhat faster or slower tempo than what they are. It’s amazing what difference it can make. Just look at a video of your horse as you start going through the music you like. You’ll see which ones really do it for your horse.

I had my super hot light TB looking GP mare that I used Mary Poppins for. I also had an 18.1 (seriously) big, doofy gelding that I used that same music for. You’d think he would have been great with heavy Conan the Barbarian music, but he looked ridiculous. My small, quick, light 4th level mare I loved music from Slumdog Millionaire–sort of Hindi rap. A more recent one I did with her used the Piano Guys versions of Kung Fu Panda and Mission Impossible. You just have to find what clicks. You’ll ride much better when you love it.

I also am vehement about riding TO the music, not cutting the music to the horse. You have to be able to “hear” the different movements and gaits in the music, and then I design the rides around them with as few cuts as possible.

I am a tech disaster and I can use Audacity, so if I can do it, you can.