Freestyle to Music

Ferdinase514

Ferdinase514

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Am thinking about doing some this winter and would be interested to hear other people's adivce for a music virgin
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I school listening to music anyway but I think that music with words is frowned upon? and the ones I have seen to classical can be rather dull - like a test with music in the background. I want something that will give me goosebumps rather than send me to sleep!

Has anyone tried the companies that will arrange the music for you?
 
No never done one - well only a 2 minute show to music at Ponies UK champs (it was to supercalifragilistic..... can't spell the rest!) but would love to get into this side unfortunately my instructor isn't so keen. Please keep me informed would love to know how you get on!
 
That sounds fun! I think picking the music is so hard.

Best one i've seen was a pony at RC champs at Addington...did final walk up centre line to S Club 7 and pony's walk fitted perfectly. Was brilliant.
 
Best one I ever saw was to Tubular bells (excorcist music!!) that really makes your skin tingle!!!

good luck though - sounds really tricky but will be fantastic if you can get it right!
 
I am a BD judge and judge quite a bit of music. I also put mucis together for people. It does take time to select music and it is always better if the tempo can be adjusted to fit the horses tempo. That's why alot of people get others to do it for them. Good luck
 
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I am a BD judge and judge quite a bit of music.


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Am I right that it should be intrumental rather than with words?

Do you think judges frown upon more modern music as opposed to classical?
 
Music is pretty easy to alter providing tempo is near the one you want - you just need the right software. The trick is also to find music that suits your horse - its no good having delicate ballet music accompanying a bouncy cob.

The main stalling point is the copyright laws which stop lots of venues putting on music comps because they just cost too much to run - I believe the cost per competition is £80. Also riders have to have full BD membership or BD music membership and there are a raft of forms to complete and labels to use which really puts people off.

On the bright side it is great fun and I would defy anyone not to ride their test with a huge grin right through. Even though I finely tuned my last test I still ended up standing on the centre line for a few mins (felt like several hours) waiting to salute. I knew the judge and could see her in fits of laughter.

Give it a go.
 
Judges do seem to prefer instrumental as lyrics can interupt the flow of the test etc. Many judges shy away from things that are too contemporary. While we might like certain songs we should think of our audience a little- you must enjoy riding to the music but more importantly it should fit your horse and enhance the performance.
 
i've done a lot of music classes with dan. we won a BD novice qualifier once and went to the winter semi's, although you end up in the same class as the pro's there so not much chance of getting anywhere. Been to the RC champs at Addington 2yrs running too and won the London and South East plain clothes and costume open champs last year. Had my music done professionally by a friend and would definitely pay to have it done properly again - good music makes a huge difference. My first CD was a Flintstones medley - suited Dan down to the ground. The odd fuddy-duddy judge wasn't so keen, but mostly it got great makrs coz it suited him and his paces so well. My other CD was music from South Pacific - costume was a hoola girl, complete with coconuts - was in Rider mag last year after the L&SE champs!
 
I find my own music, design the floor plan and then take my CD to a chap up the road who can put it all together for me if I tell him exactly how many mins and seconds I want of each piece, where to fade in and out etc. and he can alter the tempo slightly if nec. That side of things is far too technical for me!!!!!!

Definately steer clear of vocals, although the odd phrase won't hurt.
Avoiding very 'way out' music will mean you are likely to appeal to more judges.
Make sure the style of music suits your type of horse, i.e a cob would look daft dancing the sugar plum fairy!
Make sure the different pieces of music used are of the same type, i.e all classical or all pop etc. It will flow better.
Choosing music you like may sound obvious but you'll ride better if it's something you really enjoy.

Hope that helps.
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There is actually a test sheet which tells you which compulsory movements to show - from memory they include:
15m trot on each rein
Some medium trot
20m canter on each rein
20m of walk
20m of free walk
Halt at beginning and end of the test

The rest is up to you - but make sure you dont include movements from a higher level because you are penalised if you do - no flying changes in novice
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The compulsory movements make up approximately half the marks awarded and the rest come from artistic interpretation etc etc.
 
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