Creative Centerlines for your Dressage Musical Freestyle

Ready to make a great first impression for your musical freestyle? Use your entrance to help tell a story, just like the opening of a movie or the beginning of song, you are setting the mood and telling the judge what to expect from your freestyle. There are many ways you can capture the attention of your judge and the audience, even at the lower levels.

Douwe and Sandra enter for their First Level Musical Freestyle. Photo taken by Spotted Vision Photography.

Use Lyrics

Lyrics have grown in popularity for musical freestyles. They are allowed but you need to make sure that you choose songs that enhance your routine rather than take away from the overall flow.

Using fun openers to a song or a catchy jingle can set the tone for your entire freestyle and put a smile on everyone’s face. Recently, I designed a freestyle where we used the opening of “I Feel Good” with James Brown. It is iconic and recognizable to every person that might be in that audience, especially to the judge. The rest of the freestyle included songs from the same genre and rider Linda Brock received a lot of compliments.

For my client Carolena we used the song “Lollipop” for her entrance. She did her halt, salute perfectly to the “pop” sound that everyone would recognize. She is an adorable young rider (definitely has the cute factor with her small horse!) performing a Training Level freestyle. Her freestyle followed the same genre with songs like “Sandman” and “ Tweedle Dee”.

Think of lines from a popular movie like “Bond...James Bond” or the prologue from “Beauty and the Beast”. Broadway musicals also have plenty of one liners that can work for an entrance such as “He’s here the Phantom of the Opera!”.

The beauty of using lyrics for a musical freestyle is that the music doesn’t necessarily have to match the beats of your horse’s stride. It would be great if it did but overall you are using the entrance to make an impression and set the stage, so if the beats aren’t perfect but the lyrics are I say go ahead and try it!

Sandra and Rovandio showing a Second Level Freestyle. Photo credit Spotted Vision Photography.

Use Transitions

Something that I rarely see are transitions such as walk to trot, trot to canter, or walk to canter. At the lower levels there are limited options for centerlines, if you can use entrance music that has a clear transition that can help enhance your artistic scores and demonstrate technical skill the judge.

I rode a Third Level freestyle with my horse Rovandio many years ago and our violin music started slow and then added a distinct trot beat. I cued the music, began at the walk and then transitioned to the trot when the music changed.

Only try this if your horse is really consistent in upward transitions! If they tend to brace or come above the bit I wouldn’t risk it, just stay in your preferred gait.

Add a Lengthening/Extension

Impress the judge with a dramatic extended trot down the centerline! If your horse has a reliable and high-quality medium/extended trot this can be a really good option. Also using medium/extended canter can really ‘WoW’ the judges and set the stage for a powerful ride.

This entrance works well when you have are going all the way down the centerline to your first halt. Some riders prefer to halt around L or G to set up for their first movement closer to the judge.

Sandra used Outlander music for her Friesian gelding Douwe. Photo credit Spotted Vision Photography.

Add Sound Bites

You can add a little more sparkly and pizzazz with your opening salute by accenting with additional sound bites. This could sound like a gong, a magical chime, a drumroll, or perhaps the sound of people clapping. You can get creative and add sounds that will go along with your entrance music and the overall theme of the freestyle. Having a definite sound or accent for your salute elevates your freestyle and shows that you pay attention to detail.

You can search for sound bites on websites like www.audiojungle.net where you can purchase short music clips and search by instrument and genre. Use keywords like “Intro” to search through hundreds of short clips that people use for music videos, movies, and promo videos. They are generally short and already fade in/out so they would be very easy to incorporate in the editing process.

Additional Ideas

  • I personally like the sound of an orchestra warming up if you are using classical music

  • Sound clip from a band playing live…sometimes they will address the audience to get everyone fired up

  • Drumroll that you hear at the start of a movie

  • Record your own voice over your entrance movie to create something unique and special

  • Sound clip from a motivational speech

Have Fun!

No matter what you decide, I hope you have fun in the process! Creating a musical freestyle is a rewarding process that takes patience, determination, and creativity. Let me know in the comments below what you used for your musical freestyle entrance I would love to know. You can also email me with questions/comments to beginthedance@gmail.com.


Download My Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Browse my Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books & e-Books.

Related Articles

Dressage Musical Freestyle Rule Changes for 2023

Every four years the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) reviews their dressage tests and makes improvements/changes. This year there were a few notable changes in the freestyle tests that you should keep in mind when preparing to show.

The following changes will be active on December 1, 2022 and count until November 30, 2026.

Choreography Changes by Level

Training Level:

Sandra and Douwe compete in a First level musical freestyle. photo credit spotted vision photography.

  • The trot serpentine now specifies TWO or MORE changes of direction with loops no smaller then 15 meters.

  • The stretch trot circle in Training level now specifies that it must be ridden in a RISING trot.

First Level:

  • The Turn on the Forehand in the Additionally Allowed section has been removed and is no longer permissable.

Second & Third Level:

  • No changes to choreography requirements.

Fourth Level:

  • They have added Flying Changes of Lead every 4th Stride with a minimum of 3 Changes.

Scoring Changes by Level

Training Level:

  • The Medium Walk now has a double co-efficient.

First Level:

  • The Leg-Yields (left and right) and the Changes of Lead through Trot now have a double co-efficient.

Second Level:

  • New technical scores added for the transitions in and out of medium trot AND the transitions in and out of medium canter.

  • New double co-efficients for Medium Walk and the Simple Change of Lead (left and right).

Third Level:

  • The Medium Walk, Trot Halfpasses (left and right), Canter Halfpasses (left and right), and the Extended Canter now have double co-efficients.

Fourth Level:

  • The Collected Walk, Flying Changes of Lead every 3rd Stride, and the Canter Working Half-Pirouette (left and right) now have double co-efficients.

Make sure you are familiar with the dressage musical freestyle rule changes before you compete in 2023. Dressage rider Ashley Bizelli. Photo Credit: Kimberly Chason

Artistic Scoring Changes

  • The Rhythm, Energy, and Elasticity score has been moved from the Technical Marks and added to the Artistic Marks with a co-efficient of 4.

  • Harmony co-efficienthas increased to a 4 in Collective Marks (previously a 3).

  • Music and Interpretation co-efficients have decreased to a 2 in Collective Marks (previously a 3).

  • Degree of Difficulty score has been adjusted depending on the level.

    • First Level co-efficient is a 2

    • Second Level co-efficient is a 3

    • Third/Fourth Level co-efficient is now a 4

Feeling good after our freestyle ride. Photo credit: Spotted Vision Photography

Let’s Review

Overall I like these changes because they place more emphasis on the Harmony and Rhythm, Energy, and Elasticity marks. That should help improve the quality of the freestyle and reward riders that implement classical methods that pay attention to the welfare of the horse.

Click here to view the new USDF freestyle tests.


Sandra Beaulieu author of Freestyle Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music

About the Author

Hello! My name is Sandra Beaulieu, author of FREESTYLE: The Ultimate Guide to Riding, Training, and Competing to Music and it is my goal to provide DIY tools and resources to help you create the musical freestyle of your dreams.

I am a USDF Freestyle Bronze Bar recipient and many of my clients/customers have earned their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Bars in addition to year end awards and championship placings.

As a USDF “L” Graduate I can offer an inside perspective from the judge’s booth, giving you an added advantage in the show arena.


Download Free Resources

Dressage Musical Freestyle Free Downloads Sandra Beaulieu

Freestyle Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle Books and e-Books.

How to Create a Musical Freestyle - Learn the Seven Phases of Freestyle Creation

Watch our "Outlander" inspired first level freestyle...photo credit: spotted vision photography

Watch our "Outlander" inspired first level freestyle...photo credit: spotted vision photography

Imagine riding up the centerline to the music of your very own musical freestyle! If you are reading this article you are thinking of, or have decided to, design a musical freestyle. How exciting!

Just think how much fun you and your horse will have dancing to music. I know that my horses enjoy their music and they will start to learn their transitions and follow along. 

This video will give you an overview of what's in store for you in the months ahead. I have broken down the process into Seven Phases to help you keep track of your progress and avoid overwhelm. 

You can just watch the video or scroll down to read a description of each phase. I have also included links to articles and resources to help you along the way.

#1: Plan & Prepare

You are currently in this stage right now, planning ahead for your freestyle. If this is your first time I recommend giving yourself ample time to work on it. There will be a learning curve with the music software and how to choreograph your routine so be careful not to rush yourself.

The best time to start working on a musical freestyle is in your "off" season. If you compete in the summer months try to begin in the winter, right after the holidays is usually a good time to get focused. Download my free Musical Freestyle Checklist to help you stay on track (scroll to the bottom of this article).

#2: Rules & Requirements

You will need to learn the rules that pertain to freestyles at a competition, especially if you want to show at a USDF recognized event. It would be a shame to enter your first show and realize you are missing a movement or get disqualified because your entrance music is too long. There is a handy resource on the USDF website that summarizes the freestyle requirements...click here.

Download the USDF TestPro US Dressage Federation App so that you will have quick access to your freestyle test sheets if you aren't sure about a movement...click here.

#3: Gather Info

In this phase you will be gathering information that will help you find your music and create your choreography. You will need to figure out the beats per minute for your horse's gaits so that you are prepared to select music. Learn how to determine your horse's beats per minute in this article...click here. 

There are many smartphone apps available that will also help you with the BPM's, choreography, and music. Click here to see which apps I use and where to get them. 

#4: Discover your Music

It is a lot easier to find music with the availability of online search. Platforms such as ITunes, Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube will help you find music to match your horse. Don't forget to look in your old CD collection as well, there may be some gems that you forgot about. Click here for some ideas...

If you feel overwhelmed about selecting music, there are some options online for pre-made music such as Marvin's Music and MusiKur.

#5: Choreography

It is a fun challenge to work with a horse and rider to showcase their strengths and downplay their weaknesses. Try to "marry" the music and the choreography together, doing your best to follow the natural progression of the music. Avoid movements that will add stress for you and your horse, your test should HELP you, not hinder your horse's ability. My blank arena diagram sheet is very helpful during the process. Scroll down for your free copy.

If the idea of creating choreography overwhelms you, I have pre-designed routines in my Freestyle Choreography e-books. If you don't see the level you want just sent me an email (beginthedance@gmail.com) and I will let you know when it is available.

#6: Edit, Edit, Edit

This is perhaps going to be the longest, most frustrating stage of the game. Keep faith! You are so close to the end it should help you gain momentum to push through. If you are not very "techy" this part of the process can be outsourced to a friend or a professional. I have gathered together some popular music software and extra options in this article...click here.

If you get stressed out, take a break and try one of the four ways I stay motivated. Read the article here.

#7: Go to a Show

Time to take your freestyle for a trial run! Keep in mind that the first show is a learning experience. You will become familiar with the process, how to submit your music to show staff, the sound check, how to deal with different sound systems, and most importantly...how does your horse do with the freestyle at a show. 

You may discover that your horse's tempo is a lot faster than normal or he/she spooks at the speakers set too close to the arena. After you receive feedback from your judge you can go back to the drawing board, adjusting choreography and music based on their scores. 

Here's some advice, do not drastically change your freestyle based on ONE judge's opinion! The artistic scores can vary widely from judge to judge. For example: One of my clients rode her new First Level freestyle at a schooling show and received a score in the low 60's, the artistic scores ranged from a 6 to a 6.5. She rode the EXACT same freestyle at a USDF Recognized show for an "S" judge and received a 76%! All 8's in the artistic scores.

Artistic value is in the eye of the beholder, don't lose faith if one judge does not resonate with your music. 


Download my Free Resources

Stay organized with my Musical Freestyle Checklist and begin sketching choreography with my Blank Arena Diagram Page.

Freestyle Free Downloads.png

Browse my Freestyle E-Book Store

Learn how to create a musical freestyle from start to finish or choose an e-Book with choreography ideas just for your level.
Click here to view all Freestyle e-Books.

Related Freestyle Articles

Sandra Beaulieu and Rovandio - Second Level Dressage Musical Freestyle to Pop Violin Music

When you dance, your purpose is not to
get to a certain place on the floor.
It's to enjoy each step along the way.

- Wayne Dyer

After a long hiatus from the dressage competition arena, I decided it would be fun to work on my USDF Freestyle Bronze Bar with Douwe and Rovandio. To earn this award, the rider needs two freestyle scores (above 65%) at First level, two scores at Second level, and two scores at Third level from recognized shows. Douwe earned both of our First Level scores and Rovandio earned both of our Second Level scores in one weekend! I am so proud of them, they seemed to enjoy themselves and I did too! Last week I shared Douwe's First Level Musical Freestyle inspired by the TV show Outlander (click here to watch). Here is Rovandio's Second Level Freestyle with recognizable music played by a pop violin band named Escala. I found them on Spotify and loved their renditions of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir", The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony", and Karl Jenkin's "Palladio". Enjoy!

Inspired to create your own musical freestyle? Enter your email below for my FREE downloads including a Musical Freestyle Checklist to keep you on track and Blank Choreography Pages to sketch your routines. You can also learn more about my Custom Freestyle Design and Freestyle Workshops. Click here. 

Thank you Adam's Horse Supplies!

My new sponsors Adam's Horse Supplies generously outfitted me with new Ariat show boots, a Goode Rider show shirt, Toklat saddle pads, a ThinLine pad for Douwe, and a Micklem bridle for Rovandio for our freestyle debut.  

Adam's is located in Winthrop, ME but has an excellent selection online and they offer incredible sales and discounts.