Dr. Cesar Parra and Grandioso Intermediate and Pan American Games
We put a band in the studio to record a very special freestyle for Dr. Parra. Beth Hall scored Latin and disco music for studio band to include synthesizer, organ, piano, drums, and full horn section - trumpet, saxophone and trombone. His fun Pan Am freestyle sounds like a club band performance.
From Dr. Parra: "WE ALL LOVE IT... Everyone was dancing in the aisles."
Centerline at HITS CDI***, Saugerties, NY: Won with a score in the mid-70s and beat his closest competitor by nearly 5 percentage points.
Collecting Gaits Festival of Champions: Scored 72.5% to earn a spot on the U.S. Team for the Pan American Games.
Devon Kane and Douwe
Devon Kane and Douwe FEI Young Rider
Devon selected big band jazz for her young rider freestyle with choreography by Beth Hall.
Raleigh CDI3*: Won a large Young Rider freestyle class with a score of 72.667%.
NAJYRC Championship: Devon placed fourth with a 70% and was the highest placed American rider at the freestyle championships.
USDF Fourth Level Musical Freestyle Award: Devon and Douwe placed sixth nationally with an average year-end score of 70.0%.
Congratulations to Devon and trainer Michelle Gibson on her many accomplishments!
Rebecca Rigdon and Solei
Rebecca Rigdon and Solei Fourth Level and Intermediate
Rebecca chose romantic music to emphasize Solei's femininity with a modern beat to show off her suspended gaits. Rebecca is a student of Steffen Peters and her training and sales business is based at his facility in California. "We won the USDF freestyle class in Los Angeles this past weekend with nearly a 75%... I love this freestyle... Our first time showing the freestyle we got a 72%." Rebecca beat her closest competitor by more than 9 percentage points.
USDF Region 7 Championship: Won the championship with a score of 71%, beating her closest competitor by 6 percentage points. "I was super excited! Thank you!"
USDF Musical Freestyle Award: Third place nationally with an average score of 71.8% and USDF All-Breeds Award: First place with the American Holsteiner Horse Association.
We finished work on an Intermediare freestyle for Rebecca with new entry, trot and walk music. Beth composed the entry music for solo violin and recorded it with Fiona Lofthouse, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London. On receiving her new music, Rebecca reports, "It's fantastic!" Rebecca earned a score of 69.875% at Pebble Beach Dressage with her new freestyle.
Julio Mendoza and Ivan Sport
Julio Mendoza and Ivan Sport (Ecuador) Intermediate and Pan American Games
Julio selected inspiring film music from Zorro for a natural fit with his Friesian stallion, Ivan Sport. Julio lives and trains in Maryland, but he and Ivan will represent Ecuador at the Pan American Games. Beth Hall designed choreography for Julio's Pan Am freestyle. Ivan is the first Friesian to compete in the Pan Am Games!
From Jessica Mendoza: "We got the package in the mail and listened to the narrated CD - it was great! ...It helps so much to have a CD with you talking so he can practice with that until he learns the routine with Ivan. We both just love the freestyle and music you made for us."
Julie McKean and Stravinsky
Julie McKean and Stravinsky FEI Young Rider
Julie selected the option of live band recording for her new young rider freestyle. We put A-list musicians into the studio to record Latin rock music. Woodwind Studios arranger, Beth Hall, matched music to choreography designed by Julie with her trainer, Dr. Cesar Parra. From Julie after riding to music samples: "I love the Ricky Martin piece and the Jennifer Lopez, they work really nicely with him!"
Julie's reaction on first hearing her engineered studio band music: "I'm so excited! The music is unbelievable. I LOVE it!!"
Raleigh CDI: Julie took first place honors and the winner's cash prize at the prestigious Raleigh CDI3* in her debut performance. From Julie: "The freestyle was the highlight of the show for me. The music is great to ride to - I felt like we were on the beat the whole time. When I came to the trot tour, my whole barn group in the audience started to clap along, it was so cool! ...[my] music was hands down the best!"
Tessa Dick and Lord Chalk Hill
Tessa Dick and Lord Chalk Hill FEI Young Rider
In the photo, Tessa is shown schooling her horse in Grand Prix movements with the help of coach Rebecca Rigdon at Steffen Peters' Arroyo Del Mar in California. Lord Chalk Hill is a large, impressive stallion and Tessa has selected powerful film music to showcase his talents.
From Tessa: "THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me! I can't thank you enough for the fast and amazing work you have done with my freestyle. I am definitely in your debt and will certainly come to you with all of my freestyles and recommend you to EVERYONE!! You are truly spectacular at what you do and I am super excited to work with you. You are amazing."
Tessa received a score of 69.250% from Austrian judge, Victoire Mandl, in her first freestyle performance at the Del Mar CDI3*. At Dressage at Del Mar a few weeks later, Tessa earned an average score of 70%.
Endel Ots and Toscano
Endel Ots and Toscano Intermediate and Pan Am First Alternate
Endel selected an exciting mix of hip-hop and very current film music. He reacts to first hearing his edited music with the comment, "Everything sounds great!"
Raleigh CDI3*: Endel earned the reserve championship with a score of 70.083%.
Collecting Gaits Festival of Champions: Earned a score of 71.4% to secure his position as first alternate rider on the U.S. team for the Pan American Games.
Shiwon Green and Gosh
Shiwon Green and Gosh (New Zealand) Grand Prix/Pacific League World Cup
Shiwon first freestyle with Woodwind Studios was performed riding light-hearted music from animated films. Following the debut of her freestyle, Shiwon reported: "The judges and spectators LOVED my music. Thanks so much for all your work! I'll be back..."
Shiwon competed in her CDI3* national championship, earning a score of 69% from "I" judge Uwe Spenlen. She received a score of "8" on choice of music and interpretation from "O" judge Bernard Maurel.
Shiwon has completed a new freestyle with Woodwind Studios using Baroque classical music and reports, "Love it, love it, love it."
Pacific League World Cup Final: Shiwon was selected as the only rider to represent New Zealand. She placed sixth in the freestyle.
Susan Schneider and Wagner de Bonce
Susan Schneider Wagner de Bonce and Danilo Sir Sherlock JSS and Darkan Intermediate and Grand Prix
Susan has worked with Woodwind Studios for many years and with a number of talented FEI horses. All of her freestyles are choreographed by Beth Hall. Here are a few of Susan's comments on her many freestyles with Woodwind Studios:
Paragon CDI1*: Winner of the Intermediare freestyle with Sir Sherlock. Susan reports, "It was fantastic!!! It came right together. The judge at C was Cara Whitham and she told me that it was a very good freestyle with very nice flowing lines. She said that it was what a freestyle should be... Everybody has asked who did the freestyle. So look out!!"
"I really like Danilo's music because it is interesting, dramatic and inspiring to ride to."
"I have had so many incredible comments on the music for Danilo and Wagner."
"You have a good eye for suitable [music], citing the choices for Wagner that I never would have dreamed would work but are so appropriate not only for his movement but his personality!"
"...LOVE IT! You guys need a Grammy or something!"
Nancy Hinz and Collector's Item
Nancy Hinz and Collector's Item Intermediate
Nancy has selected dramatic film and synthesizer music for her expressive and powerful horse, Chet.
From Nancy: "I sent the videos to Pam Goodrich and she liked the [music] choices for Chet. It is going to be a very fun freestyle!"
"I rode the freestyle on Saturday and got a 68.5% from Joan Macartney. She commented on how good she thought the music was..."
Texas Dressage Classic: Nancy earned a score of 70% and says, "The crowd really loved it. I got so many positive comments."
Texas Rose Dressage: Won the FEI freestyle class with a score of 73.8%.
Tori Retamoza and LuCarlos
Tori Retamoza and LuCarlos FEI Young Rider
Tori is riding to a dramatic selection of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs with choreography by Beth Hall. She won her debut freestyle performance and says, "I was thrilled."
Majestic Farm, Ohio: 69.125%
MSEDA Championship: "Just wanted to let you know that I got a 72.6% in the MSEDA championship freestyle class today at the KY horse park and won my class against amateur and open riders. I also received my last needed score for my USDF Silver Bar. I got all of my scores for my freestyle bar with my Andrew Lloyd Webber freestyle."
Nicole Shinton and GB Classic
Nicole Shinton and GB Classic (Canada) Intermediate
Nicole is riding to epic adventure music with choreography by Beth Hall.
From Nicole: "I got both CDs and love the music. The Indy Jones one is very cool and can't wait to ride to it!!!!"
Nicole placed fourth at her first CDI competition, the Beaulieu International Dressage Classic: "They [judges] loved the music and I still smile everytime I hear it."
Mindy Elgart and Gladiator
Mindy Elgart and Gladiator Intermediate
Mindy is a student of Silke Rembacz and has selected hard rock music for her freestyle. She plans to compete her freestyle at Dressage at Devon and the winter circuit in Florida.
From Mindy: "The reason I chose to work with you is the combination of your experience and education in dressage and music. If you hire someone talented to do a job, then you have to let them do their job... so I will trust your judgment on the musical selection. I really liked the freestyle that you did for Cesar Parra's young rider [Julie McKean] and felt that the music was both appropriate for the horse as well as a young rider and that it matched the movements quite well versus being background music."
"We absolutely love the way it came out..."
Brittany McCarthy and Gabelle
Brittany McCarthy and Gabelle FEI Young Rider
Brittany is celebrating her Irish heritage with traditional Celtic music, with choreography by Beth Hall.
From Brittany: "The music is great. My whole family loves it, it is so fitting for us."
More from Brittany: "Just wanted to let you know that I rode my freestyle in the show the first weekend of May at Majestic Farm and we got a 69.25%!! The judge loved it. I felt so comfortable with the music and we were right on the entire time."
Nathalie Martin and Royal
Nathalie Martin and Royal FEI Junior
Nathalie selected New Age guitar music to which we added live recorded percussion for a "remix" sound. Nathalie's choreography was designed by Beth Hall.
From Nathalie: "Wow, that sounds AWESOME!" and "Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful freestyle for me! You have been so helpful and responsive, and I really appreciate that! I love the freestyle..."
From Nathalie's mother: "The judge's first comment was "great music."
Mary-Cameron Rollins and Rose Noir
Mary-Cameron Rollins and Rose Noir FEI Young Rider
From Mary-Cameron: "The music and choreography fit together amazingly. I can hear each change and I guess this isn't going to be as hard as I thought thanks to you!"
Beth Barritt and Bergamo
Beth Barritt and Bergamo Intermediate
Beth is riding to a selection of familiar jazz themes. Beth had this to say: "Did my freestyle the first time in Lexington over the weekend - everyone, including the judge, LOVED the music!! Thank you! It was VERY fun!"
More from Beth: "You'll be happy to know that the second time out with my freestyle, Bergamo was second one day with a 66.5% and won the next day with a 67.5% - again, lots of positive comments from many people about the music!"
"Mo won again yesterday - 70% for the artistic side - 67% for the technical - averaged to 68.5%. I think it was the best test yet... we had a blast qualifying."
Rachel Campbell and Wandango
Rachel Campbell and Wandango FEI Young Rider
Rachel scores consistently over 70% with her African-themed film music freestyle with choreography by Beth Hall.
USDF Musical Freestyle Award: Fifth place nationally at Fourth Level with an average score of 71.5%
USDF All-Breeds Award: First place with the American Hanoverian Society
Beth Sproule-Hansen and Divinci
Beth Sproule-Hansen and Divinci Intermediate and Grand Prix
At Intermediare: Earned 70.5% at Windy Hollow Hunt Summer I with her romantic classical music freestyle.
Beth re-edited her music for Grand Prix and earned her USDF Freestyle Gold Bar Award.
USDF All-Breeds Musical Freestyle Award, Grand Prix, Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society: Beth and DiVinci placed third nationally.
Rhiannon Williams and Rock Star
Rhiannon Williams and Rock Star (Canada) FEI Young Rider
Rhiannon is riding to instrumental "Blues Brothers" style music for a fun freestyle.
From Rhiannon: "Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into my freestyle! I really appreciate your effort in dealing with the time restraints.
From Rhiannon's trainer: "You are amazing and we thank you for your hard and fast work... Narration arrived. It's awesome." and "Rhiannon did great at the show. We should get a start on my kurs now for next year."
Roxanne Strahan and Mister A
Roxanne Strahan and Mister A Junior/Fourth Level
Thirteen-year-old Roxanne scored 67% in her first freestyle ride with her film music choices, with choreography by Beth Hall. From Ralph Strahan, father: "...they were absolutely gorgeous and everybody loved it."
Earned scores of 71.041%, 71.667%, and 74.167%.
From Roxanne's father: "We are quite happy, have gotten numerous compliments... She has completed the requirements for her Silver Freestyle Bar from the USDF and is thrilled..."
USDF Fourth Level Musical Freestyle Award: Roxanne and Mister A placed third nationally with an average year-end score of 71.667%.
USDF All-Breeds Musical Freestyle Award, Fourth Level, American Hanoverian Society: Roxanne and Mister A placed first nationally.
Nicole Chiappetti and Oxford
Nicole Chiappetti and Oxford FEI Junior
Nicole selected ragtime piano music, with choreography by Beth Hall.
From Nicole's mother: "Thank you very much for your help. You have been wonderful and very quick" and "...music even fits Oxy's personality."
From Nicole: "We received a 68.765% for our first time doing it" and "...the [choreography] fit him perfectly."
Layne Sandercott and Cedrick
Layne Sandercott Cedrick and Navello FEI Junior and FEI Young Rider
Layne is riding Cedrick to a mix of soul/funk music with choreography by Beth Hall. We also designed Layne's freestyle for her FEI Young Rider horse, Navello, featuring popular piano music.
From Layne's trainer: "I love Cedrick's music and it's going to ride so well. You really know when the music is about to change because it's so clearly done [edited] with that phrase."
Hannah Scott and Jay
Hannah Scott and Jay (Australia) FEI Young Rider
Hannah is riding to dramatic instrumental versions of Judy Garland music with choreography by Beth Hall. From Heidi, mother: "She... or should I say we... love the music. It does give us goosebumps" and "We are so happy with the music and it is so appropriate for the both of them, so we are looking forward to having some fun."
From Hannah: "I received an outstanding result of second place which I definitely didn't expect for my first freestyle to music."
Congratulations to Hannah on placing second in the New South Wales (Australia) Young Rider Freestyle Championship!
Aron Scraba and "Ike"
Aron Scraba and Ykson fan Bonnieview Third Level (Canada)
Aron is riding to a mix of pagan-themed film and classical music. She had this to say on receiving her CDs, "Wow... the Kur music is great!!!"
Tracy Schlabach and Panterra
Tracy Schlabach and Panterra Third Level
Tracy, a student of Tom Noone, won regional and national awards at lower levels with her ragtime music freestyle and earned her USDF Bronze Freestyle Bar in the process. She debuted her new tango music freestyle with great results.
From Tracy: "I rode my Third Level freestyle to the new music this weekend. The second ride under Paramageet Chopra was awesome... 77%! And, won the class by 5%. Everyone loved the music! I got lots of compliments on it."
Congratulations to Tracy on placing first nationally in the USDF All-Breeds Awards, American Holsteiner Horse Association.
Silene White and Prince of the Moon
Silene White and Prince of the Moon Fourth Level
Silene is riding to a selection of country music, with choreography by Beth Hall. From Silene: "Love the CD! Music rides great!" and "I got a good score and I am very happy. Everyone loves the choreography."
From Silene: "I am sending you a picture of us being double pinned Reserve Champions at the [USDF] Region 8 Championships for Connecticut Reserve Freestyle champ and USDF Reserve Freestyle for 4th level. We were also year-end reserve for NEDA [New England Dressage Association]. Thanks so much!"
Janice Mauren and Wolly
Janice Mauren and Wolly First - Third Levels
We have produced two freestyles for Janice, the first featuring sixties film music and the second a selection of western and Andean music.
From Janice: "The music was great and I just won the Reserve Championship for the Second Level freestyle at the Region 9 GAIG/USDF Championships." and "I just wanted to let you know that I received the CD with my [new] freestyle music and I love it!!! Thanks for all your help..."
USDF Musical Freestyle Award: Third place at Second Level with an average score of 73.5%
USDF All-Breeds Award: First place at Second Level with the Performance Horse Registry. Second place at Third Level with an average score of 69.3%.
Mary-Cameron Rollins and Wellington
Mary-Cameron Rollins and Wellington Junior/Fourth Level
Mary-Cameron won in Jacksonville, Florida competing with her Russian classical music freestyle, with choreography by Beth Hall, earning a 72.1% from judge Trip Harting. Mary-Cameron received a score of 7.5 on choice of music and interpretation, 7 on choreography, and 7 on difficulty. She earned the high score of the day at the show, winning an open freestyle class.
Canterbury dressage: Earned a score of 69%, completing the requirements for her USDF Freestyle Silver Bar.
From Mary-Cameron's mother: "I just want to thank you for all you have done providing this wonderful music for Mary-Cameron and Wellington. I knew it was going to be special but I never dreamed it would bring so much joy and satisfaction..."
