"...seeing how it [musical freestyle] was choreographed and put together was fascinating! I loved Beth's input, the technical aspect of breaking down the movements and music, using the metronome, etc. Really interesting! I know I'll be paying a lot more attention to the next freestyle I watch."
Auditor comment, USDF Adult Dressage Camp
"I've had a flood of response from the clinic. It was a great success!" "Everyone wants you to come back... and as soon as possible." Beth Springer, clinic organizer
"It was a ton of fun." Debbie Gregoire, participant
Recent Dressage Freestyle Clinics
Kansas City Dressage Society, Kansas
Yellow Rose Dressage, Houston, Texas
Woodwind Studios music director and choreographer, Beth Hall, is available to conduct two-day freestyle riding clinics. Learn the basics of musical freestyle design through better understanding of gait tempo, dressage music selection and choreographic design.
Day 1: Beth verifies gait tempos and riders practice synchronizing to the clicks of a metronome. Freestyle music is provided which has been tempo-adjusted for each horse. Riders find the beat and work in sync to different styles of music.
Day 2: Technical requirements for each rider's freestyle level are discussed. Short choreographic sequences are developed for each horse to emphasize training strengths and to meet standards of judge's viewpoint, technical difficulty and efficient use of the arena. Riders practice sequences without music and then line up patterns with phrasing.
Hand-Out: The freestyle clinic organizer will be provided a hand-out of educational material in pdf format to attach and e-mail or print for participants and auditors.
DVD or Video: Each participant must provide DVD or video footage one month prior to the clinic date. The clinic organizer collects DVDs from all participants to mail in one package or individuals can post footage on YouTube for viewing. Any video showing all gaits is acceptable.
Beth determines gait tempos and provides a list of suitable music from Maestro and Impresario freestyles. Each rider selects two freestyles from their list and music is tempo-adjusted for use at the clinic. For riders interested in a particular custom music theme, one or two clips in preferred style can be added; if these riders commit to a custom freestyle with a deposit one month prior to the clinic, sufficient time exists to fully research the music, order CDs, and provide samples to complete the theme.
Regular size or mini-DVD, VHS or VHSC tapes can be submitted. Please be careful not to send tapes which only work in the particular camera or DVD which cannot viewed on a personal computer.
Sound System and Microphone: Clinic organizers must provide a sound system with CD player and speakers audible at both ends of the arena. Ideally, hold the clinic at a location with speakers mounted around the perimeter of the arena. A volunteer will be needed to run the sound system and a microphone is required.
Clinic Ride: Each ride will be 45 minutes in length and scheduled at 1 hour intervals. No more than 8 rides per day will be scheduled. Lunch break of 45 minutes-1 hour is required.
Cost: $400 per day: 8 riders $350 per day: 7 riders $300 per day: 5-6 riders $250 per day: 4 riders (as long as extensive travel is not necessary) Organizers should first accept riders taking two lessons and fill remaining spots with individual rides. Travel, motel accommodations and meals are to be provided by clinic organizer. Vegetarian meals are required.
Auditors are welcome and any auditor fee benefits the sponsoring individual or organization.
One-day clinics are available for local organizers and lesson will combine skill practice elements from both sessions of a two-day clinic.
Freestyle Development: Riders will not develop competitive freestyles during the clinic. However, riders may select music at the clinic to be used in production of their freestyle. For custom freestyles, additional music research might be necessary. Participants will receive a 10% discount on all services except live band recording.
Mary Forck and Muriel Du Bois passage to the Argentine tango
A freestyle star is born as Kharma accepts praise from Beth and rider, Debbie Gregoire
Beth and Maggie Stonecipher talk over her Intermediare ride to music
