SESSION C #3 of USDF "L" Dressage Judges Program
Collective Marks, Equitation, Rider Biomechanics, Basics & Freestyle. Instructor Sandy Howard. $315 for 2 days. Open to auditors for $25 per day. February 2007. Held at Christiane Noelting Dressage Center. Thank you to organizers, barn owners, and demo riders.

Day 2

Dressage Musical Freestyle:

If you are just starting to show your first Dressage Musical Freestyle, welcome to the exiting world of dance, horses and music. Even KUR judging can be subjective, there is a set of rules for dressage judges to follow.

Choreography Tips:

1. If the degree of difficulty in the Dressage Musical Freestyle is the same as in the regular tests, the suggested score is = 6.0
   Click here to read higher scoring elements for the First Level Dressage Musical Freestyle and for the Second Level Dressage Musical Freestyle.
2. Dressage Musical Freestyle movements and figures should be easily recognizable, but different than in regular dressage tests.
   Tip: Don't try to hide your horse's uncomplimentary side by making your choreography lopsided, judges are taught to look for that:
3. Balance of movements right and left. Choreography mostly on the left lead or right lead.
4. Balance of gaits - not obviously over weighted trot or canter.
5. Balance in direction - does all of the diagonals go from H-F or K-M?
6. Balance is circles and straight lines - does the rider going mainly in circles and curved lines or in opposite, he/she doesn't use any straight lines?
7. Balance in use of arena - does the rider spends more time in one part of arena than in other?
8. Does the changed from one movement to another make sense or it's a distracting maneuver?
9. Does the non required movement add to the performance or detract from it?
10. Changes of music should coordinate with changes in movements:
    Movements and figures doesn't match the changes in music = 5.0
    Different music for lengthening, trot, walk, canter = 6.0
    + different music for halts and salutes = 6/7
    + music captures the beginnings and the end of other figures = 7/8
    +music captures phrases and end/beginning of the lengthening, mediums and other series of the same movements = 8/9
    Tip: Try to stay away from "the dragon of circus dressage". Judges will be watching for the "circus dressage" in your freestyle. For example: endless circles with use of the music "Circle Of Life" from the Lion King (I'm guilty of that one myself). Music from Elvis for horse with name Elvis. Song about Maximus for the horse named Maximus. Vocals of Van Halen "Jump" during the flying changes. This type of Musical Freestyle are more appropriate for exhibition performances. Judges are taught to reward the correct basics, not the theatrical performance that will inch dressage musical freestyles towards the circus.
11. Difficult moves in which the horse looses the quality of his performance are penalized.
12. If the horse does a movement particularly well, execute it closer to C to give a better exposure.

Music Tips:

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