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About Musical Freestyle

What is Musical Freestyle?

Dressage Musical Freestyle combines the elegance and beauty as well as the power and strength of the horse with the stirring impact of music. Movements and figures are choreographed to meet the technical requirements of the particular level with carefully chosen music that highlights the horse/rider combination. Musical Freestyles are entertaining and offer great audience appeal. The tests are offered from First to Fourth levels through the USDF. Pony, Junior, Young Riders, Intermediate I, Grand Prix, and ParaEquestrian are offered through the FEI.

Musical Freestyles are mandatory component of the dressage competition at the Olympics, World Equestrian Games, World Cup, and Pan American Games. Freestyles are a creative expression of the relationship between a horse and rider.

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Choosing to Ride a Musical Freestyle

Freestyle choreography must include all of the movements designated on the technical side of the score sheet and usually include the elements of the highest test of the level. The horse and rider combination must be secure in the execution of all the technical requirements for that level, in order to successfully add the difficulty of timing the gaits and movements to the music. It is recommended that the rider compete in freestyle one level below what they are currently showing in order to maintain quality in their presentation.

There is an eligibility requirement for entering and competing in a freestyle class at a United States Equestrian Federation recognized competition. The eligibility rule is as follows:

USEF Rule, DR128.9
"Except for USEF/USDF Championship classes and for FEI Pony Riders, FEI Junior and Young Rider Freestyles, in order to enter a freestyle class at any level, a horse/rider combination must have received a minimum score of 58% in the highest test of the declared freestyle level or at any test of a higher level at a Federation Licensed Competition. A photocopy of the test verifying eligibility must be submitted with the entry for a freestyle class."

For example, the horse and rider combination must earn at least a 58% at First Level Test Four (or higher) in order to compete in the First Level Freestyle.

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Starting the Journey

When horse and rider have together achieved the minimum score required to compete in a freestyle class, then their musical partnership can begin.
Get ready to feel the music, dance with your horse, and above all, enjoy the ride!

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The USDF Musical Freestyle Score Sheets

The USDF Freestyle score sheets are divided into two parts: Technical Execution and Artistic Impression.

Technical Execution includes all the required elements of the level. Artistic Impression includes: Rhythm, Energy and Elasticity; Harmony Between Horse and Rider; Choreography (use of the arena, inventiveness, design cohesiveness, balance, ingenuity, and creativity); Degree of Difficulty; Choice of Music and Interpretation of Music.

The first two elements of the Artistic Impression (Rhythm, Energy/Elasticity; and Harmony Between Horse and Rider) reflect the overall technical accomplishment of the ride. The remaining elements (Choreography, Degree of Difficulty, and Choice of Music) reflect the creative aspect of the performance.

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How to Proceed

All the information needed to proceed can be obtained on this section of the Web site or by contacting USDF at (859) 971-2277.

The USDF has a very informative booklet available called Musical Freestyle: Rules, Guidelines and Definitions. USDF Freestyle score sheets can be ordered from the USDF or the freestyle movements can be found in the USDF Directory.

For further educational opportunities check other equestrian sources. For example, there are many videotapes of Olympic and World Cup Freestyles available for rent or purchase through tack stores, catalogues, and online.

Whenever freestyle classes are offered at a competition or exhibition, take the time to watch the riders perform their freestyles. A lot can be learned by watching others!

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USDF Freestyle Awards

The USDF recognizes achievement in freestyle performance with both year-end and cumulative achievement awards.

The Adequan Musical Freestyle Award is an annual horse and rider award with prizes to winners at First through Fourth Levels, Intermediate I and Grand Prix.

To be eligible for annual awards the horse must be lifetime registered with the USDF, the owner must be a participating or business member of USDF and the rider must be a participating member. All memberships must be current at the time the scores are earned.

The USDF Musical Freestyle Bar is a cumulative rider award. It parallels the USDF Rider Medal awards with Bronze representing First through Third Levels, Silver for Fourth Level or for JR/YR the Prix St. Georges FS, and Gold for Intermediate I/Intermediate II and Grand Prix. A Musical Freestyle Bar can only be awarded after a rider has earned the respective regular USDF Bronze, Silver or Gold Medals. A rider can earn a Freestyle Bar in the same year as they are earning a respective medal.

For a rider award the rider must be a USDF Participating member when scores are earned but the horse(s) need not be lifetime registered with the USDF, but need at the minimum a USDF Horse Identification Number (HID). The scores can be earned on one or more horses.

See our awards page for more information.

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Pas de Deux and Quadrilles

The musical Pas de Deux and Quadrille tests offer riders the opportunity to ride as a pair (pas de deux) or in a group of riders (quadrille). Both these segments of musical freestyles are growing in popularity in the United States and give riders much enjoyment in working together as a team or a group.

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Score sheets are available through USDF. Contact USDF at (859) 971-2277 or visit our online store.

If you have any questions, please contact our Programs Coordinator at MusicalFreestyle@usdf.org or (859) 971-2277.