The Making of a Freestyle: Part 5 Tying the music together

This movement not in our freestyle

Previous posts on the making of my freestyle:

PART 1: The Elements
PART 2: Qualifying
PART 3: Choosing music
PART 4: Puzzle pieces


If you choose to go to a Freestyle clinic and have that person go ahead and finish your freestyle for you, then your work is finished pretty much.

But if you are like me and don't have $900 to fork over for someone to do what you can figure out how to do yourself, then read on.

So I have the music I want, and I'm now qualified (my PSG scores from last fall count). I have choreography that shows some level of difficulty, but still flows and is within our capabilities.

The real training pyramid

Now what?

Well, now you have to put your music together. There are a number of audio editing programs out there. I recommend Audacity, which is free to download and pretty easy to figure out. I used WavePad for this go around, which wasn't all that great but got the job done.

What I did was watched my video of myself riding through my freestyle and matched the music to that footage. There is of course some wiggle room in case something happens (spook, stumble, mistake, etc.). But there are markers I do have to hit.

You also want to make sure you smooth out your transitions within the music. Add a fade effect or something similar to that your changes in music aren't abrupt and choppy. You can also add effects for changes in movements like a "crash!" for extended trot or make the music super quiet for a pirouette. Options are endless!

After I was happy with my music, I made it into a .wav file and uploaded it to my Google drive so that I could play it on my phone whenever I wanted.

Eventually you will burn it to a CD to take to shows.

Once you have your music, you need to run through it in a regulation size ring. Pay attention to your markers, and where you may be able to adjust your pattern. Sometimes you may have to go back and edit your music more.

I actually went back and changed my entire canter tour music because I really didn't like the way it got monotonous as I did the movements. I selected better music with more changes and variety in the rhythm. It flows much better now.

... and then you are ready to take it to the ring!

Which I will be doing in about a week with Hampton! *GULP*
We need a 63% to get a score for regionals. I'm a little nervous about that, but we'll see! We are showing next Saturday night at the KY horse Park in the big dressage arena for our freestyle debut.

No pressure or anything!

**Note: There are many roads to Rome. This is just the way I ended up putting together a freestyle. Do whatever works for you!

It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n roll

The Porkchop is cruising right along in his training. He seems to be feeling great thanks to a round of Polyglycan, and we are both starting to feel much more confirmed in the PSG. Instead of pulling a Hail Mary at our first show in a couple of weeks, I feel like I can actually ride the test and have a handle on things. It's a great feeling - to feel ready. But I know I can't get complacent. I have felt ready before and then totally blew it. lol.

I thought I'd share a handful of my favorite exercises at the moment. We are focused on straightness, suppleness and helping him bring his chest up so his front legs can get out of the way when his back end starts to motor. 

These can all be changed up to suit the level of  you and your horse, too! Some can be made easier, and also more challenging.

** Note: I did not come up with these. These are just tools I have gathered from various lessons, clinics, etc. that I have found useful for my particular horse.

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Haunches in

Tons of transitions while staying in HI. I like to do a lot of collected canter, then working canter, then big canter all within the HI. Then back down. Then change to SI for a few strides.

Half pass to leg yield

Start in half pass (any gait), change to leg yield and really bring the haunches over. Then back to half pass. This is great to helping his back supple. Really get the positioning accurate.

Counter bend in counter canter

For example, if you are on the left lead going on the right rein - so in counter canter - flex your horse to the right so he is counter bent. This is a great connecting exercise as it brings the hind legs more underneath the horse. Also, good for horses who might anticipate changes when you try and straighten them.

SI-leg yield

Shoulder-in while cantering, turn down quarter line and leg yield to the rail while keeping SI positioning.

Extended trot - leg yield

Extend across the short diagonal, when you hit the rail, immediately do a head-to-wall leg yield. Change it up next time and do shoulder-in at the rail.

Canter leg yields

Long, forward sweeping leg yields across the ring.

Extended canter "just kidding" exercise

Extend across the ring, or down the long side. Halt when you hit the corner, turn around (head to the rail) and trot away. Helps with horses who like to barge around the corners after an extension.

Hope these are useful! I have a billion of these if you all would like me to do a series or whatnot.

ALSO:

My freestyle series will pick back up because I FINALLY FINISHED MINE.

I like backsides and I cannot lie

This is the most glorious time of the year to live in Kentucky.

Railside

Random horse working

First the LRK3DE, and then a week later the Derby. It's a big party here in Louisville for 2 weeks straight, and everyone celebrates the horse.

A barn friend of mine scored owner's passes and invited a couple us to the backside of Churchill Downs on Tuesday of Derby week. I have never had the opportunity to go to the backside so jumped at the chance, even waking up at 6 am would not deter me!

One of the gates to the track

Spotted Derby horse Hofburg warming up by walking shed row
(all Derby horses had these yellow saddle clothes)

Ganna have to say it was a super cool experience, as I expected it would be. The organized chaos, the wild horses, all the exercise riders, trainers, owners and other people who seem to think they are important. Drinking mint julips at 7am is hardcore. I did not participate but many others were.

Of course snuck around the press areas too. Each radio station has their own little tent, and other media are scattered about. I may have to see if next year I can ask a big wig for a press pass. My job has perks sometimes!

Saddles sitting out

A Derby horse gets a bath. I think this was Vino Rosso

It was quite interesting to walk around the barns. The smell of DMSO permeates the air, as employees work diligently to bathe horses, and walk them around the shed rows.

I could tell that people were on their best behavior. (ie not as much rough handling of horses as I expected I would see). As Derby week brings in many more people to the backside than a normal day. Some of the horses were still wild though. hahaha. Those riders have nerves of steel.

I think this was one of those saltwater jet things

I will say it is definitely still male dominated part of the horse industry (unlike dressage and other sport disciplines). It also felt a little shady at times. I made sure I had my purse buttoned shut. No one did anything, but it just gives you that feeling. I most certainly would not survive long working in the race industry. And to be fair, Churchill Downs is in a TERRIBLE neighborhood as far as Louisville goes. If you ever go, don't walk around Churchill Downs alone after dark. Or at least have some mace.

One of Todd Pletcher's Derby horses getting a bath

The Derby and Oaks horses had a designated time slot to come out on the track for an easy work. Most just jogged and went for an easy gallop.

Vino Rosso stretching his legs

Firenze Fire. I think he is the 50-1 longshot.

More waiting for the Derby horses to finish so they can have a turn

View toward the barns

I am absolutely no good at picking race winners, but I thought My Boy Jack, Audible and Justify looked good. So that means they will probably come in last. haha.

Well worth getting up so early for! And highly recommend.

Happy Derby Week!
(even schools are out on Fridays of Derby week, that's how insane it gets here hahaha)

LR3DE abbreviated

How did I not know this?

Due to the fact I am broke from entering the first show of the year dumb money, I had to abbreviate my Rolex LR3DE experience this year. I managed to go Thursday, which is the BEST day to go for shopping. Barely any crowds, so easy shopping.

And by shopping, I mean walk around getting free shit and entering all the contests!

It took ALL THE WILLPOWER not to buy a unicorn horn.

I didn't even buy anything other than a $12 strong mixed drink, and a mother's day gift for mum.

Other things I did:

While entering a contest, I was a little surprised to find that I was in the middle of a Boyd Martin signing. Ooops. Rude.

I'll take one Boyd to go please.

I rode the race horse simulator. It was REALLY HARD TO DO. My arms still burn.
(After a mimosa, and a slushie drink with two shots of rum, this seemed like a good idea. You had one minute to try and beat the amount of "steps" set by a previous person way better at this than I am)

Drank a mimosa at the Dubarry tent of course. In my knock offs with holes in the feet.


Watched Elisa Wallace give her Mustang demo. So cool! I'm inspired to teach Hamp some tricks.

I think this is Rune.

Fledge and Rune with Elisa.

Toured a Land Rover car. The guy said they "aren't that expensive. This one starts at $38,000!" ... LOL ok dude. Yeah that's not what I call reasonable. But the Land Rover people were super nice and I really like what they have done with the event. Smell ya later Rolex, no loss there!

Boyd and Steady Eddie looking sharp

And finally spent some time watching riders school in the Rolex arena. I just love watching how each schools their horse. I was most impressed with Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. The way she worked her horse in such a methodical, thoughtful way. And holy smokes Covert Rights is FANCY AF when she picks him up. I will take him anyday! I also saw Boyd and Steady Eddie worked nicely, and ML and RF Scandalous. The mare is a freak, and while I don't like her rider the horse has a hind leg to die for. And is also in my fantasy league so I rooted for her haha.

Drop into the head of the lake seemed smaller this year?
Not that I would EVER attempt it still.

So hey while I had to skip the action the other days, and had no Aimee and Leah to drink with - that's ok! Maybe next year???? #2019ReunionInternetStrangers

Shameless side hustles

Hampton trying to look majestic. .... almost nailed it. Not really tho.

As a horse poor, single gal in the journalism industry - I don't roll around in money obviously. But I'm not going to whine about it, instead I like to have a variety of side hustles. I thought I would share some with you guys because they do help just a little. They aren't going to pay for a show entry, but they will buy some supplies, or a polo shirt, or something. Anything helps!

And if you click on my links I get a referral and more points.

Basically I am whore-ing out here.

SWAGBUCKS
The surveys are a pain in the ass and I rarely qualify for one, but I do see points back from various shopping that I was going to do anyway. You could rack up the points fairly quickly here, and get pretty much any gift card you want. Even PayPal cash.




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DROP
You get points for spending money at places you probably already spend money at. Like Starbucks. Before I knew it I had $10 to use! Useful when you need something like bell boots, or show sheen.
Use my code to sign up and you get $5 off the bat!
Download the app on your phone.
CODE: i13vk

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SHOPKICK
Another app that kicks you back points for shopping you already do. Infact, at some stores you get kicks just for walking into the store. I like to go to the mall and open the app and rack up points just by walking around! haha. You can trade kicks in for a variety of gift cards. It adds up!
You can go to https://www.shopkick.com/ or download the app on your phone.
CODE: JOY805518


ok I am done whore-ing. At least for today.
Back to Porkchop stuff next time!

3-tempis!

Here's a video of our 3-tempis from the KPG clinic!
(turn sound off unless you want commentary from a toddler. lol!)

Ice-Ice-Landics

Really wanted to stuff this one in my purse.

Last week a dear friend of mine drove down to visit and to "casually horse shop." She is looking to add another horse to her family and has an interest in Icelandic Ponies. She asked if I would be interested in taking a riding lesson with her at a farm about 30 minutes from me.

YES. DUH. PONEHS. Was my answer.

It was snowing and freezing cold that morning but we were not deterred.

I have lived in KY for almost 6 years now and STILL the farms in some areas are mind blowing. As was the case with Lettleiki Icelandics. Absolutely gorgeous farm. They have a straight track on one side of the property that was clearly for TOLTING PONEHS REALLLLY FAST that just about made me squeal.

Our riding instructor was really lovely and nice, kindly answering all of our questions. We took a tour and got to meet a number of insanely adorable ponies.

This is Svali fra Tjorn 

Check out more on Svali. He is a Breyer horse, too! Super sweet stallion.

This forelock is just a damn blessing.

Then she assigned us our steeds for the day and we quickly tacked up and headed to the - also insanely gorgeous - indoor arena. I was assigned Leifa, a 20 year old pinto mare. She did not look 20 and surprisingly I did not feel too big for her, even though she was maybe 13 hands? I could tell she was a schoolmaster type - she wasn't going to put in any effort that was not required. But when asked, she was more than happy to work. My friend Steph had a more green mare, Rimba.

Me with Rimba, left, and Steph with Liefa

Icelandics are either 3, 4 or 5-gaited. They walk, trot, canter - and tölt and pace are the bonus gaits.

I found the tölt to be really similar to the slow gait in Saddlebreds. I was able to get Leifa to tölt easily but simply picking her head up, slowing the walk and basically making her really lateral. Then with a cluck they simply fall into the tolt.

The footfall of tölt:
1 = left hind foot
2 = left front foot
3 = right hind foot
4 = right front foot

Entrance to the farm

After giggling like a 12 year old, I played with more buttons. I actually had a hard time getting her to trot. The aid for trot is to give a super long rein, and lean forward a bit. I would say that the trot was pretty flat, and has very little suspension. And I got the impression that the canter was pretty ignored in their training. In order to canter, you had to ask in a corner to get the right lead - again lean forward and make your seat light. Leifa cantered right off but it was flat and strung out. Kind of like the Saddlebreds, I think the canter is sort of ignored and treated as a necessary evil. They don't really work on it, because it starts to interrupt the tölting. If I had an Icelandic I wouldn't canter either. I would do nothing but tölt lol!

But the ponies were well educated. They took a nice contact, and Leifa knew some lateral work.

I am always fascinated by how different people manage their horses. At this farm, they have double fencing. Which is not uncommon, but how they use it is something different! They will run small herds of ponies in between fences and chase them with an ATV to simulate running in the herds in Iceland. Great exercise!

I had a total blast and would def go back again for another lesson. Learned a ton about a new discipline and different training methods.

And as for Steph ... she is starting her search for an Icelandic!

More information about Icelandics:

The 5 GAITS

MORE ABOUT THE TOLT AND FLYING PACE