How It Works
Whether you’re headed for championships or just want to grow a deeper bond with your horse at home, I approach creating your freestyle with the same process, level of attention, and passionate expertise. Here’s how it all comes together!
I’m based in Michigan, US, but using video chat and videos of you and your horse, I work with clients anywhere in the world. Whether we’re local or timezones apart, the process is much the same.
Step 1 - Initial Consult
Grab a cup of coffee or tea (or rosé, if that’s your thing!) and fire up Zoom — this will be a fun and cozy chat to help me learn about you and your horse. We’ll explore where you’re currently at in your riding, what dressage level(s) we want to design for, what your goals are for your freestyle, and talk about the sound and feel that you’re wanting. No need to worry - I’ll send you a detailed questionnaire to help you prepare for our chat, and if you’re not sure where to begin, I have tons of ideas and tricks to share.
Step 2 - Music Selection
Using video clips of you and your horse at all gaits that are relevant for your level and discipline, I’ll select multiple music options for you based on your taste, your interests, and the ideas we discussed in our initial consult (usually 2-3 music options per gait). I’ll send the music ideas back to you so that you can see it with the videos and ride with it, to see what feels best to you.
For an additional fee, I’m able to do this in-person for clients in the US Midwest (and tackle step 3 in the same meeting).
Step 3 - Choreography
Some riders I work with already have their choreography planned out, and just need me to do the music. Some riders want help with this step. I love working either way!
If I’m doing your choreography, I’ll create a routine that’s sure to highlight your strong points, wow the judges, and get high marks on Artistic Impression. I’ll send you a set of diagrams to learn from, and you’ll want to ride it through to make sure you like how it flows. We’ll make any adjustments you want in this stage.
Step 4 - Music Production
Now it’s time to put it all together! My hallmark is editing music that flows seamlessly from one gait to another, with flawless timing for your choreography. To create your one-of-a-kind freestyle music. I will need video footage of you riding through your choreography in a regulation-sized arena. It doesn’t have to be great video; I just need to use it for syncing the music to the timing of your movements.
Step 5 - Final Refinements
After I deliver your music, you’ll want to practice with it. We’ll work together on any minor timing adjustments or choreography tweaks.
Our work together doesn’t need to end here — we can continue to tweak things as you get feedback at shows, and we can continue to adjust your music and choreography as you move up the levels. I hope we can be creative partners for years to come!
Step 6 - Time to Shine!
Get ready to take home some ribbons, because you’re going to be the star of the show. My freestyles have won classes and year-end championships galore.
Whether you’re an avid competitor or just want a new way to ride at home, your dressage freestyle is an investment in your partnership with your horse. I’m excited to help you achieve this milestone in your riding journey.
A fresh approach: My Dressage Freestyle Philosophy
This is such an exciting era for musical freestyle design: with modern production technology, we can achieve anything you can imagine. And with pros like Steffen Peters pushing the limits of what’s ‘acceptable’ in the show ring, the days of narrow, stodgy, classical-music-only freestyles are behind us.
I bring an innovative mindset and an obsession with excellence to every freestyle I build. Here are some of the hallmarks of my approach:
All kinds of music can be “freestyle music!”
I want you to dance to music you love. Whether it’s from your favorite band, your favorite TV show, the 80’s, 90’s, or a new release, classical, pop, rock, country, synthwave, jazz, latin, or anything else, I can make it show-ring-ready! Even if you have no idea where to start, I have broad-ranging listening habits and knowledge of emerging trends. I can find something unique to suit you and your horse. If you work with me, you’ll stand out from the rest (in a good way)!
The details make the difference.
When I’m producing your music, I take care that every transition is seamlessly blended, and makes sense for the musical phrasing. I’m even able to manipulate time and key signatures so that different songs sound good together. I search high and low for innovative covers and different mixes of your favorite pieces, to add depth and interest. And I export it with carefully-adjusted loudness equalization, so that you’ll be able to hear every note clearly from the show ring.
Every horse and rider can dance.
Wherever you are in your dressage journey, I believe in you! From seasoned professionals to young riders and amateurs, even down to intro level, we can have fun with your freestyle.
This photo is from Chanting Jezebelle’s retirement ceremony, where we rode her 1st level dressage freestyle one final time at the 2022 Willow Ridge Dressage show.
