Dressage to Music

[belle]

Where can you get the music to do music to dressage to, or do you have to make it yourself?

How do you plan the movements to music?

Is it just at a particular level?

[Zingy]

I've seen tapes of music for walk, trot and canter - I think they were from the BHS bookshop. There's also a company that sometimes advertises in magazines (Horse & Hound?) where they'll send you a tape specifically designed for your horses paces (presumably they need a video or something). Sorry if that's a bit vague!

[Miriam]

Strange you should ask this as I have just come off another group site and there was a web site for Musical Dressage. Take a look at the following:

http://www.yourstyle.demon.co.uk

[belle]

I looked at that site, sadly its a bit too expensive!!!!:(

[Sarah]

I htink you can do dressage to music for any level from novice up. You are told which movements you have to include in your test then you design a test to incorporate them all. This means that you can work the test the best way to show your horse's paces, etc, but it does give you a lot of hard work.

Re the music, anything will do, just make sure it fits the speed and tempo of your horse. What can be a good idea is to get a video of yourself riding and then sit at home and try to work out what music will go with it. It may be a good idea to think who is judging the test to try to get some music they will ike - if most of the dressage judges in your area are in their late 60's, then maybe the latest hip hop track may not be appropriate.

When i went to a riding club demo of dressage to music (which is where I learnt what I am telling you, i have never done dressage to music), they did a great display of a highland pony with some Scottish reels music which went really well, both with the type of horse and his tempo.

I hoe that helped.

bye!

[lleeaannee]

There's been an article in one of the main horse mags (UK) in the past few months. Unfortunately I can't find it. Anyone else remember it?

[Miriam]

Belle can you not try your own music though. I am sure it suggests this on the site. Good luck.

[Maci]

H&R magazine has been doing articles on musical dressage. That is probably the magazine lleeaannee is talking about.

Maci :)

[Lgd]

Dressage to music covers all the levels except preliminary level. The tests have changed slightly this year so that they are all ridden in a 60 x 20metre arena (Novice and elementary used to be 40m arena tests).
There are set moves that you have to do at each level which are compulsory and you are marked on these for technical merit. You can also include any other moves from that level or a a lower level as an optional choice. There are set time limits for each test with about 30 seconds leeway. The second set of marks is for artistic quality which includes the choreography, how the music fits your horse and how you have used the music.
Test sheets can be obtained from British Dressage.

Finding music can be a long process. Look for music you really like, because after you've used it a few times you start to hate it!

A rough guide for each pace would be
Walk - four time beat to the music, around 90 - 130 beats per minute (bpm)
Trot - two time or four time beat to the music, 138 - 165 bpm
Canter - four time beat, some three time beat can be used but I've found four time usually fits better, around 90 - 138 bpm.

The bpm varies according to the level of your horse's training and his own natural tempo.

Choose music to suit the horse ie don't use heavy music for a light TB type as it will 'swamp them'.

The other thing best avoided is vocal music as it is very dificult to cut.

Split into three sections so that you have fewer cuts to do -unless you have music cutting software packages on your computer. If you are not good at cutting, fade the sections into each other. You can get software free via the net on the sonic foundry website (I'm not sure of the exact address but if anyone wants it let me know)

A small intro with a gap for your halt gives a good artistic impression even though it isn't judged in the technical bit. It does not count as the timed section either, so it is a freeby.

I cut all my music myself and have competed from Novice up to PSG at freestyle.

Above all HAVE FUN and HAVE A GO.

[Kay Emerton]

You can get a CD for £22.50 from Equimusic. Their website is www.dressagemusic.com or email sales@dressagemusic.com or actually ring them on 01759 388800.

They have a sample of the music you can hear on their website and for an additional £15 if you but their cd you can have music done to suit your horses paces. Hope this helps!!

[Jane.A]

Thanks Kay!!!:)
I ordered the Cd and its excellent. The lady there was so helpful and friendly. The cd arrived the next day, I've worked out the test now its out to practice and see what fits....happy days:)

[marchhare2002]

We did a drill ride at Christmas to Abba!

[Lgd]

I bought the Equimusic CD a while ago. Must admit I wasn't that impressed because a lot of it was music that has been 'done to death'. None of it really suited either of my horses, much too heavy for the older mare and mostly the wrong beat for both of them - but it will probably be OK for Novice level. I was more interested in the custom service they offer, however I've solved that problem myself - CD writer for the computer and some good music editing software. If anyone else wants to have a go I will post some of the software sites when I find the list I've lost!