• Posted: 7 April 2013

Just Dance Dressage Equetech Challenge
Hosted by Dressage Anywhere

To coincide with the launch of our new Freestyle to Music class we've put together a week by week guide to get you started with all you need to know about how to plan your test.

Week 4: Filming and adjusting

First of all, you need to make a CD or file with your music so that you can ride to it. Get really familiar with the music and if you have several options to choose from make a final choice about which ones feel best to ride to. While you’re riding try to notice the dynamics of the music, the rise and fall, loud and soft parts and where the phrases end. This will help when it comes to editing your music.

At the next stage you need to ride through your floor plan a couple of times and time it. Prelim, novice and elementary music tests may be ridden in a short (20 x 40m) or long arena but in British Dressage Championships they must be in a 20 x 60m arena. A prelim test can be between 4 and 5 minutes and the novice and elementary between 4.5 and 5 minutes. It is best to time it about 15 seconds under the maximum to allow for variations in running speed or state of the surface. If it’s too long you’ll need to cut out or shorten some passages, if it’s too short, you’ll need to add some in.

N.B. Timing runs from the move off after the first halt until the last halt. The music can start after the first halt but an introductory piece starting before you enter at A adds artistic quality but must not be for more than 20 seconds.

Once you’re happy with your test get someone to film it for you. Start outside the arena and film until several seconds after the halt.

See also:
Weeks 1 and 2 preparation
Week 3 creating a floor plan
Week 5 editing your music
Week 6 practice and polish