Lewis Robertson-Carrier and his long-term dancing partner Diego V won the CDI3* Lier freestyle in Belgium on Saturday (28 February) – bagging a new sofa for their efforts.

The pair scored 76.08% on their first international outing since the Wellington CDI in October. The previous day they finished 13th in the grand prix, on 68.15%.

“We had a decent year last year, but it wasn’t the best. Diego’s 18 and been doing it a long time now, and in the grand prix he just felt like he was five years old again. He was on fire and felt fantastic,” Lewis told H&H.

“He was so excited, I wasn’t really expecting it. We had a few big mistakes, but I was happy because he was happy. I was super pleased with how he felt and we still came away with a decent score, only about 2% off the leaders.”

Lewis said Diego felt even better the following day in the freestyle.

“We weren’t on until about 10.30pm, but we’ve done London International twice and I think he really enjoys a late-night performance,” he said.

“Straight from the word go we had energy, but it was controlled and everything just came off. It was definitely one of the best freestyles we’ve done. His piaffe and his piaffe pirouette at the end were fantastic. His extended canters were really uphill and energetic, and his twos and ones were brilliant, they came off really well.

“Equidance did my freestyle; they’re the most lovely enthusiastic people who really support me and I couldn’t do freestyles without them.”

Lewis said it was nice to have Diego back out at a bigger show.

“We did Aachen late last summer and that was probably the last big one,” he said.

“He definitely enjoys the excitement of the bigger shows, and Lier is lovely. I did the Nations Cup there last year and they do an amazing job.”

Lewis won a special prize in the class; a new sofa, thanks to the class sponsor, furniture company Henders and Hazel.

“When we arrived there were three sofas in the corner of the indoor and my wife Liv took me over to have a look. Liv sat in them and said ‘Oh I really want you to win me one’ – and I said ‘I’ll try my best’,” said Lewis.

“Liv was very quick to choose the one she wanted. Luckily it was a smaller sofa chair, as we had travelled in my 4.25T lorry and so we wouldn’t have been able to fit a massive four-seater, even still it was still a little bit of a struggle to get it in! It’s really smart – and very rare to go to a show and win something like that. It was really nice of the show and the class sponsor to let the riders come away with something so special.”

Lewis Robertson-Carrier on his 2026 plans

Looking ahead, Lewis said he will be putting his name down “for all the big things” – but that this year “is an open book”.

“It’s been a good start to the year, but we’ll see what the selectors are looking for. Diego still feels absolutely fantastic and in his prime. He’s done a lot; Aachen and Nations Cups, he’s been national champion, he’s kind of done it all apart from being on a senior team at a championships,” said Lewis.

“It’s tough to break through when there’s so many good combinations in the UK, but I’ll take any opportunity I can and if I can get on another Nations Cup team with him, that would be amazing.

“We know each other so well and competing with him is such a nice feeling; when he’s on form he is world class. To take me from young riders through to senior teams, there are very few horses that have done that. I’ve got two incredible grand prix horses coming through, but every now and then like at the weekend Diego still just shows me what an amazing horse he is. He’s the best.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Meet Lewis Robertson-Carrier: 7 things you need to know about Britain’s new national dressage champion

‘It’s not just about the riding’: Lewis Carrier on what it takes to become a professional

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Freestyle dressage is booming – and you don’t need to be a music whizz or have a fancy app to get involved. Here’s how to create your own dressage freestyle, from picking a soundtrack to building a floor plan that fits your horse.

“We’ve seen a huge increase at the grassroots level – it’s not something to be scared of,” says Tony Hobden of Equidance. “Freestyle should feel less daunting than straight dressage – nobody knows where you’re going!”

Getting started is now easier than ever. Riders competing at novice silver and above can qualify for the freestyle winter regionals simply by riding in regular British Dressage (BD) tests – making it more accessible than ever to earn a place at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships each April.

In the summer, freestyle classes are open from prelim bronze to inter I, with riders qualifying for the Petplan Summer Freestyle Area Festivals and championships in October.

Para riders can also qualify for the Equissage Pulse Para Freestyle to Music Championships by scoring 63% or above in their respective section.

Yet, despite growing opportunities, many riders hesitate – often put off by music licensing, editing challenges or the cost of professional help. But putting a freestyle together doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

How to create a dressage freestyle

Yorkshire-based amateur Rachel Platt choreographed her own freestyle using free software like Audacity.

“I’m a musician, so people probably assume that’s why I can put routines together,” Rachel explains. “But in reality, I’m more of a practical, working musician – I’m no technical whizz at all.

“You definitely don’t need to be a musician to create freestyles. Plenty of people who aren’t musical but spend more time on computers than I do would probably find the software easier to use than me.

“I just Googled anything I couldn’t figure out, and the answers were right there – it wasn’t rocket science at all. It’s really just cut and paste, drag and drop.

“I wish I’d done it earlier, to be honest. I think the first routine I made was at advanced medium, by which time you’ve already got a lot of moves you have to fit in. Whereas if I’d started at prelim, I think the learning process of getting to grips with the logistics like the floorplan would have been easier.”

For those who’d rather leave the music editing to the experts, professional help is more affordable than you might expect. At Equidance, prices start at £129 for prelim-level tests, rising to £389 for grand prix.

“We use the same software as the mainstream music industry, so everything sounds really polished,” says Tony. “But I’ve never wanted costs to be prohibitive. What I really want is for more people to get involved and have fun with music.”

Tony’s “magic triangle” and top tips for picking music

Tony recommends choosing tracks based on three pillars:

• It suits your horse
• You love it
• Judges don’t hate it

“Even though the judging shouldn’t be about personal preference,” he says, “but if you’ve got something you hate being blared out after you’ve been sitting in a stuffy box for hours, it’s hard to ignore.”

There is no specific rule that prohibits the use of vocals within the music. “You can have singing as long as it doesn’t distract too much from the performance,” Tony says, “like Celine Dion belting out My Heart Will Go On at the top of her voice during the walk.

“But hitting a chorus as you come out of the corner and into a medium or extended movement can be fabulous.”

BD’s guidelines reward riders who create a cohesive theme with music that clearly defines the beginning, middle, and end.

“This means your music should be from the same genre,” Tony explains. “You can’t have, for example, Lady Gaga for your trot, Mozart for the walk and ACDC for the canter – the music needs to build a narrative.

“That’s why film soundtracks are always a big winner for me because they’re designed to fit a storyline and are often played with an orchestra, but it’s more hybrid than classical – so it might be mixed with some synthetic drums that you can use to match the footfall and tempo of the movement, which is an important thing to get right.”

Licensing made simple

Music licensing puts many riders off, but it doesn’t need to.

“If you’re riding under BD rules, you’re covered for music use as long as it’s on the Phonographic Performance Ltd [PPL] database, provided you’re not planning on reselling it,” says Tony.

To register your music, download a music license record form and sub-licence agreement from the BD website. Submit them by email or post before your competition.

“One mistake I made in the beginning was that I found some music that I really liked and set my heart on it but then actually realised I wasn’t able to use it because it wasn’t on the PPL website,” Rachel warns. “Now I always check first – the search tool is simple.”

She also likes using karaoke versions: “You still get the energy of vocals, but they’re less overpowering – often just backing vocals or chorus lines.”

Practical tips to get started

• Use free software like Audacity – beginner-friendly and plenty of YouTube tutorials.
• Don’t overcomplicate your floorplan – “At lower levels, focus on flow,” Tony recommends. “Showcase your horse’s strengths without making it too difficult.”
• Watch other people’s tests – “The Area Festivals are fantastic for this,” Rachel says. “You’ll quickly pick up what works – and what doesn’t.”
• Use BD templates – free floorplan guides are on the BD site

Tony’s final advice? Whether you’re making it yourself or using a professional, just give it a go!

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Fancy trying affiliated dressage, but not quite sure where to start? You need to read this…

‘I challenge you not to love it’: what working equitation is and why you should give it a go

Your guide to the Petplan Area Festivals, including how to qualify for this championship dressage series

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Meet this stunning “supercob” who’s both silver and gold, changes colour throughout the year – and is a dab hoof at dressage.

Catherine Chalkly and Bradwell Dun Deal, both 16, secured second place in the elementary dressage to music class at the British Riding Clubs championships at Bury Farm on 30 September.

Catherine’s mother Hannah told H&H they have owned “Brad” for four years.

“We clip him all year round and he’s golden, but goes grey in winter,” she said. “He didn’t have many dapples when we bought him; they’re more a recent thing! He changes shade throughout the year.”

The buckskin gelding is described as dun in his passport, but also shows off varying shades of grey.

“We don’t know how he’s bred; when he got him, he had an appaloosa passport!” Hannah said. “He’s now registered as a part-bred with the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association. We’re not sure what the other part is; people have said Clydesdale, Connemara, Friesian – no idea!”

Hannah said her daughter has only been riding for five or six years, and Hannah originally bought Brad for herself, but “he became Catherine’s horse very quickly”.

“They started doing dressage just before Covid; she does a bit of jumping and cross-country but dressage is her big passion,” Hannah said.

“Before we bought him, he’d spent most of his life in a field doing nothing so he was really green and we had to start him from the beginning but he’s been an absolute star, brilliant to do everything with. He can be a bit grumpy but he hasn’t got a nasty bone in his body.”

Hannah added that she trusts the cob implicitly, whatever Catherine does with him.

“We’ve got to a difficult junction in Catherine’s life because she takes dressage very seriously and wants to progress but she’s been told he’ll never get selected for any teams,” Hannah said. “The question came up of selling him but we just couldn’t, we love him, and he’s making her a rider.”

Hannah said she would not want Catherine to have a “push-button” dressage horse, and that she and Brad were selected to represent their region this year, and are hoping to move up to medium level this winter.

She added that she was nervous at the championships – “She was the only junior in the class and there were some very good riders there!” – but all went well.

“I was very proud,” she said.

And as is the case at most shows, others were full of questions about Brad.

“People always ask what colour he is, and what breed,” Hannah said. “They ask if he’s for sale, even when we’ve stopped at service stations! His stable name is really Rolo but we call him Brad as we imagine he’s like a surfer, loving himself with his long hair.”

You might also be interested in:

The ultimate bargain: Pony bought for £12 becomes teenager’s ‘supercob’

The piebald was bought as a months-old colt, wild from the moor

Alan the £5 pony who lived by a main road is heading to national championships

The pony got into dressage ‘by accident’

In fine feather: the growing popularity of the gypsy cob

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

CALLS have been made for MP3 files to replace CDs for freestyle dressage music, after “countless combinations” have been let down by technology.

Anthony Hobden of Equidance, which provides freestyle music arrangements to riders, started a Change.org petition to British Dressage (BD) stating that it is “time to upgrade” from “unreliable” CDs.

Mr Hobden told H&H “everyone has been complaining about it”.

“I’ve been trying to address it with BD,” he said. “I think there have been concerns about the tech from venues and maybe some riders who aren’t so savvy about it. So we’re trying to make it easier, dispel a few myths and work with everyone to bring us up to 2022.

“CDs are 40-year-old format now – I remember them on Tomorrow’s World in 1978 – and they’re fallible.”

Mr Hobden, who has 20 years’ experience in the music industry as an engineer and producer, says he is working on making USB flash drives more appealing to riders and venues, and that BD has been “very proactive” in response to him.

“The number of regionals where CDs have gone wrong – you can’t have people getting to that level and having their dreams shattered because of a tech fail,” he said, adding that one rider was not allowed to compete at a major final when her CD failed.

“Her mum had flown from Australia to see her compete and the rider was in bits; that was the snapping point for me,” he said. “The USB players are like CD players and cost about £20, so if a venue says it can’t afford one, I’ll buy one for them.”

Zara Griffiss was riding Patrick Leg’s 17.3hh Irish draught Allegro in a prix st georges test in June when her CD malfunctioned, then stopped. She continued, singing part of the music herself and won the test – going on to win her Area Festival in August.

“I’d definitely push for replacing CDs because it’s ridiculous,” she told H&H.

“I joked about it at that show, but if you’d qualified for a final and spent a lot of time and effort, it’s more than just a CD going wrong. Luckily, we still got a good score on my last chance, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been at the Area Festivals; it’s a domino effect.”

BD CEO Jason Brautigam told H&H many venues do offer “alternative media formats”.

“Members just need to check with the venue directly to see which format will be acceptable, although we do encourage venues to include this information in advance on the BD schedules displayed online,” he said.

“Although CDs are becoming outdated, they are often still seen as the easiest way to create and burn music for use in freestyle, so they remain the universal option for many members. We certainly wouldn’t want to ‘ban’ the use of these in competition currently, and the most important thing is that we offer members the choice. There are various conversion adapters available relatively cheaply to enable MP3 files to be used over PA systems.

“Whatever format is used, members still need to ensure that the data can be accessed across all platforms and devices, as organisers have encountered just as many problems with reading USB formats and corrupted MP3 files as they have CD failures.

“Aside from the technology, we do also need to ensure that all music complies with the licensing we have when using MP3 files and any digital transfer, so there are no copyright infringements.”

You might also be interested in:

‘I’m not leaving this arena!’: rider sings her freestyle music after CD gives up the ghost — and wins

9 of the most memorable grand prix dressage freestyles of all time

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

On the evening of Wednesday 10 August 2022, Lottie Fry and Glamourdale quite literally danced their way to World Dressage Championship freestyle gold in Herning, Denmark.

And because it was just so fantastic (we can’t watch it without shedding a tear), we want to relive their fantastic test again and dig deeper into their performance.

Lottie Fry freestyle: watch it again

Lottie Fry freestyle: which music did she use?

Lottie and the Van Olst’s black Lord Leatherdale x Negro stallion, Glamourdale, used newly-composed music created by Joost Peters for their freestyle in Herning.

Brian May’s rock rendition of God Save the Queen got their test underway as the pair passaged to halt, then, after their first halt, continued to Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust. Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You was set to their extended trot, which merged into Millennium for the extended canter, then Genesis’ Land of Confusion could also be heard for further canter work.

Their pirouettes were performed to another Robbie track, She’s The One. Then, the Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony was used for the two-time tempi-changes, while the Beatles’ Hey Jude set the tempo for the one-time changes. The final centreline was ridden to some more God Save the Queen before nailing their final halt, in perfect time with the end of the music.

Lottie Fry freestyle: how she scored

Overall, Lottie and Glamourdale scored an impressive 90.65% from the seven judges, who were located around the arena.

But to delve deeper into the marks they were awarded, here is a full breakdown for you to devour.

You might also be interested in:

A star is born – Britain’s Lottie Fry claims freestyle World Dressage Championships gold

The Horse & Hound Podcast 115: World Dressage Championships & Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe review

Meet Glamourdale – Lottie Fry’s World Champion dressage stallion

‘She’s done it!’: How Britain’s Lottie Fry was crowned world champion with Glamourdale in Herning

H&H Interview: Charlotte Fry — ‘This is, quite simply, a dream job’

The under-25 European dressage champion talks to Selene Scarsi about her early days, moving to the Netherlands for short-term training

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A new freestyle to music series has been hailed a “new era” for para dressage.

This week British Dressage (BD) announced the launch of the new freestyle to music tests for bronze and silver para riders. The organisation said this “remarkable step forward” is key for developing athletes as they provide the foundations for international competition, as well as giving riders a new aim, and more opportunities.

“The tests have been developed by the BD para technical committee as a bridge to the technically demanding FEI freestyle tests which, up to now, have been the only freestyle on offer,” said a BD spokesman.

“The tests are pitched at a level that combines the technical elements of the bronze and silver tests, and while designed to allow for some innovation in displaying ability to perform more technical movements, they also list prohibited movements to protect our bronze and silver rider groups. Importantly, to encourage athletes to prepare for the gold test, the timings, arena size, and guidelines, mirror the FEI tests as closely as possible.”

There will be a national para freestyle for each of the para grades I to IV, but riders can opt which section they ride in, bronze or silver, subject to eligibility.

The spokesman added that BD para committee member and multi-medallist Sophie Wells contributed to the project by riding through the tests at home with her clients to make sure they worked, and that para selector Joyce Wood was “heavily involved” throughout.

Grade IV rider Joanne Dagley-Cleworth said the new series is “exciting” for para riders, especially for lower grades who may now have their first chance to do a freestyle.

“It’s another step forward on BD’s journey making sure it really is an inclusive sport, enabling bronze and silver para riders to have the same competition opportunity as their able-bodied counterparts,” she said. “I hope riders are keen to make a floor plan and have a go.”

BD para director Julie Frizzel said she was delighted that the determination of the committee and the headquarters team had enabled BD to create, scrutinise, develop and release the tests, during the Covid pandemic.

“For some time, we’ve had an ambition to have a national freestyle test, pitched at the appropriate technical difficulty level, but now our competing community has surpassed 220 athletes, there is no better time for us to launch this superb initiative,” she said.

Continued below…

Sir Lee Pearson’s autobiography: love hexagons, nightclubbing – and 14 Paralympic medals

Defiantly titled I Am Who I Am, is a fascinating account of a life and career riddled with adversity, yet

Flying changes without legs — find out how this top para rider does it

Flying changes are a challenge to master at the best of times, but what about when you don’t have legs?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

BD para judge John Robinson said he was delighted to work on the project.

“It is so richly deserved for riders at these levels to have the opportunity to progress and the new freestyle tests will make this possible,” he said.

The first opportunity to ride the national para freestyle test will be at the para winter championships at Myerscough, Preston (23-25 May).

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

We have rounded up some of the greatest, most memorable dressage freestyle performances of all time. Turn the volume up, and enjoy...

Andreas Helgstrand on Blue Hors Matiné (DEN) at WEG 2006

This pair shot to fame after winning individual silver in 2006 with this electrifying performance to a pop medley that scored 81.5%. The enormous Aachen crowd were unable to resist joining in for the final section, as this enchanting mare passaged up the centre line perfectly on the beat to their Lady Marmalade music.

Isabell Werth on Gigolo (GER) at Atlanta Olympics 1996

At the inauguration of dressage freestyle into the Olympic Games programme, it was this routine that won Isabell Werth her first – and, to date, only – Olympic individual gold medal, as she edged out arch rival Anky van Grunsven to take gold on 76.6% with the legendary Gigolo. It set the standard for grand prix kürs, with a soundtrack really designed to enhance the horse and tell a story, rather than just acting as background music.

Edward Gal on Totilas (NED) at Olympia 2009

Who could forget this world record-breaking freestyle by Edward Gal and the one-and-only Totilas? The legendary black stallion produced a performance unlike anything anybody in the dressage world had seen before and blew the judges away with 92.3%, finishing at the top of the leaderboard with a 10% margin.

Laura Bechtolsheimer on Mistral Højris (GBR) at London Olympics 2012

Possibly one of the most well choreographed and befitting freestyles of all time, this performance from Britain’s Laura Bechtolsheimer (now Tomlinson) and Mistral Højris earned them 84.339% and individual Olympic bronze. The catchy Lion King medley suits “Alf” down to the ground, and Laura’s emotion and pride in her horse at her final halt is a delight to see.

Anky van Grunsven on Salinero (NED) at WEG 2006

She’s long been known as the “Queen of the Kür”, and has a plethora of standout freestyle performances, including with her Olympic champion Bonfire. But this one of Salinero’s, entitled L’Espirit Chanson and created by Dutch composers Cees Slings and Victor Kerkhof, may well be the best of all. It also features Anky’s own vocals accompanying her canter half-pass sequence. This particular performance earned her 86.1% and the world championship title.

Carl Hester on Nip Tuck (GBR) at Olympia 2016

This intricate freestyle was set to music by Tom Hunt, and based on Mr Selfridge. A masterclass in how to use a floorplan to really show off a horse’s strengths, it suited the quirky “Barney” down the ground, with the eye-watering level of difficulty really highlighting the tall gelding’s straightness and talent for the collected work. He may not be as flamboyant a mover as many top horses, but with the first centre line alone featuring a full piaffe pirouette, passage and a double canter pirouette, this routine certainly has plenty of wow factor, scoring 84.669% for the win here.

Juan Manuel Muñoz Diaz on Fuego De Cardenas (ESP) at WEG 2010

A freestyle full to the brim with energy and Spanish flair, this thrilling performance earned the pair a resounding standing ovation in the giant Kentucky stadium, as well as fifth place with 81.45%. The Spanish flamenco-style music, composed by Michael Erdmann, was superbly suited to this PRE stallion, and the excited and very vocal American crowd went wild for Juan’s one-handed centre lines.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB (GER) at Rotterdam Europeans 2019

This exquisite, more recent performance, which earned Jessica her first ever individual medal – bronze, with 89.107% – is sure to go down in history. The beautiful music from La La Land really suits the tall elegant mare, and her equally elegant rider, perfectly and the sheer harmony between the combination is a delight to witness.

Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro (GBR) at London Olympics 2012

And finally, arguably the greatest of them all! Charlotte and Valegro produced so many dazzling freestyles, setting new world records at Olympia in both 2013 and 2014 along the way, but it is their gloriously British performance from London 2012 that will always stick the most firmly in so many minds. Having already lead Britain to a historic team gold, they stunned the Greenwich Park crowds with their memorable routine featuring Land of Hope and Glory and the chimes of Big Ben to score 90.089% and become Olympic champions.

You may also be interest in…

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

From FEI to riding clubs, more riders are feeling the lure of dressage to music. Helen Triggs gives you the lowdown to help you show off your best moves

Dressage to music was born in 1980, when British Olympic rider Jennie Loriston-Clarke staged a demonstration with Gaynor Colbourn riding Dutch Courage and Dutch Gold. From there, music freestyle was debuted at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 — which was won by Isabell Werth and Gigolo — and has been a compulsory part of Olympic competition since.

In 2012, Charlotte Dujardin’s gold medal-winning Olympic performance on Valegro introduced a whole new audience to “dancing horses” and inspired riders at all levels to give it a go. Today, the freestyle bug has spread far beyond the international grand prix circuit, with classes at affiliated, unaffiliated and riding club competitions; this year, around 650 combinations contested the British Dressage (BD) music regionals from novice to advanced medium.

 Technology has made the process of designing and creating freestyle programmes easier, and there is a wide variety of professional help available.

In freestyle tests, riders can choose the order of the movements to display the horse to his best advantage — and avoid areas where perhaps he doesn’t shine.

They are also a good introduction to dressage for young horses, as the lines can be a bit easier and the music keeps the horse’s attention from what’s happening outside the arena.

Grand prix rider and judge Nereide Goodman has helped to boost the sport in Britain with freestyle gala evenings run at Wellington Riding, Hampshire, for over 30 years, helping inspire amateurs to have a go. She acknowledges the vast improvement in standard since the early days: “The whole picture has changed and modern technology has brought it within anyone’s ability to make a professional music programme.”

So how do you start?

If you can, watch freestyle classes at BD championships. There are also hundreds of freestyle examples on YouTube — these will give you ideas of how to create an interesting floorplan and what kind of music suits different types of horses.

Ride to music when you’re schooling at home, either via earphones or by putting speakers in the arena. Choose music you like and think will fit the horse’s paces, then just enjoy it.

Check out the BD rules which give guidance on timings and movements allowed. There are two sets of marks: technical (judged in the same way as a straight test) and artistic (which includes harmony, degree of difficulty, music and interpretation of the music, and are each marked with a coefficient of four).

You can include any movements that are featured in the straight test at the same level. However, only the compulsory movements will be marked. Therefore, don’t include any movements from a level above the one at which you’re competing or you will have two marks deducted.

Some riders like to create their floorplan first, while others will select their music and fit the movements to it. Usually it’s a bit of both — the music might need editing and the floorplan may need to change to get a particular movement to fit the phrasing of the soundtrack.

Julie Geraghty of freestyle producer Equivisions says: “At the lower levels it’s easier to do the floorplan first, as there are not so many changes of pace.”

Sara-Jane Lanning is a seasoned freestyle competitor and also a judge.

“The trick is to make your test different from a straight dressage test, but not so complicated that it’s difficult for the judge to follow,” she advises.

The best soundtrack enhances the horse

The musical element is critical — the best soundtrack enhances the horse and tells a story. Choose music that fits the horse, is memorable and leaves the judge humming the tune. Where possible, the horse’s footfalls should match the beat.

“You can’t necessarily ride to music you like,” says Sara Green, who has created winning scores for Andrew Gould and Alice Oppenheimer. “I start by counting the beats per minute of each of the horse’s paces then find music to match.”

It’s a good idea to use music by the same artist or genre for each pace, or that has a theme, as it makes the programme more cohesive. The use of vocals is a contentious issue and best used sparingly, although choral pieces where the voice is more of an instrument can work well. Vocals can be used for your entry if the lyrics make a particular point — this worked successfully for Nicky Barrett who used a song of Janis Joplin’s starting with the line, “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz,” to win the Mercedes-Benz-sponsored national championship freestyle in 2002.

There are a number of ways you can create your music programme: choose the music yourself and use a software programme such as Audacity or GarageBand for your compilation, or buy a ready-prepared package off the internet from a company such as Sapphire Sounds. This is a cheap way to start, but the programme won’t be bespoke to your horse.

Alternatively, you can send your CDs to a music editor, identifying which tracks you want and for how long, and they will edit the programme on to a CD, with prices from around £50. A more bespoke option is to send a video of your floorplan to a professional editor and ask them to select music. Costs vary from around £80 for a novice test to around £200 for small tour.

Or you could attend a clinic such as those run by Equivisions’ Julie Geraghty, who produces the soundtrack while the riders work with grand prix rider Steph Croxford or List One judge Kim Ratcliffe on creating and filming the floorplan. Julie overlays the music so the rider can see if it works for them, and with more than 31,000 pieces of music on her database, there is a lot to choose from.

A programme created at a clinic will cost £180 to £200 for a novice floorplan and music. As you progress up the levels, the task becomes more complex and more expensive. Top international riders have been known to spend thousands and commission original material or specially recorded versions.

All music programmes need to be licensed and a sub-licence obtained from BD. Full details of how to do this are in the BD handbook. A licence agreement must be signed and the music record form filled in. These can be submitted online or by post; allow at least two weeks for processing. And make sure you take a spare CD as a back-up to the competition — not all venues can take digital files.

Above all, don’t be shy about having a go. Horses love to dance and music adds an extra dimension to your riding.

Ref Horse & Hound; 6 February 2020

You might also be interested in:

8 training gems from Carl Hester that could transform your dressage scores

How to make grand prix work relevant to every horse

Every rider can start to apply grand prix principles to their horse, no matter what their age or level, explains

What does Charlotte Dujardin do while schooling at home? We find out…

Learn more about how Charlotte trains her horses at home

#SundaySchool: how can I train my horse to be more responsive?

Grand prix dressage rider Alice Peternell explains how to make your horse more forward-going and in front of the leg

My horse gets tense in his dressage tests — what can I do to combat this?

Four-star event rider Coral Keen (pictured) provides one H&H forum user with some helpful advice on how to encourage a

Charlotte Dujardin is the first dressage rider to be confirmed for this year’s Olympia, and will debut a new freestyle routine at the show.

The three-time Olympic gold medallist will bring her new star Mount St John Freestyle, with whom she won team and individual bronze at the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

The pair will perform a freestyle test that has never been seen before in public in the London leg of the FEI World Cup dressage.

“I am thrilled to be bringing Freestyle back to Olympia,” said Charlotte, who set a freestyle world record at the show with Valegro in 2014.

“Last year we presented our masterclass at the show and it was incredible demonstrating to the audience what she is capable of, giving them insight into one of the next generation grand prix horses and showing them why I am so excited by her.

“It will be fantastic returning to the grand hall and showcasing our new freestyle routine for the first time. It’s going to be very exciting.”

Charlotte, who won the grand prix and freestyle at Olympia in 2015 aboard Uthopia, will showcase the routine she had ready for WEG but was unable to use as Storm Florence forced schedule changes and the cancellation of the freestyle.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

6 reasons why Mount St John Freestyle is ‘Mrs Valegro’

Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester may not have been competing at Olympia 2017, but they captivated the crowds with their

Charlotte Dujardin claims ‘unbelievable’ individual bronze at WEG

Charlotte Dujardin claims an individual medal at WEG with Mount St John Freestyle

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The dressage competition at Olympia (17 to 18 December), which is supported by Horse & Hound, is piloting a new format.

The grand prix test on the first day has been shortened to five minutes, giving time for a quick rider interview after each test.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Charlotte and Freestyle back to Olympia, and looking forward to seeing their freestyle test,” said show director Simon Brooks-Ward.

“The pair were so well received last year, spectators will be in high anticipation at their return to the show.”

Olympia, The London International Horse Show, runs from 17 to 23 December, with the World Cup dressage classes held on the first two evenings of the show.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

There was hot competition in the music classes at the inaugural Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage.

Freestyle classes from prelim to medium were held in the evening sunshine at Sheepgate, after the conclusion of the championship sections on Saturday (21 July).

Alice Elliott and the flashy Chatsworth Chieftain scored 72.67% for victory in the medium section.

The pair entered to Queen and carried out a polished performance to hits, including Crazy Little Thing Called Love and The Show Must Go On.

Elementary freestyle winner Rachael Liddle and Orions Wish danced their way to first place to a soundtrack, featuring the Yellow Submarine, Walking on Sunshine and Here Comes The Sun, put together by Tony Hobden of Equidance.

They pulled off a fluent and accurate test to score 68.27%.

Rachael, a data analyst from Sunderland bought the KWPN x Welsh gelding two years ago from her trainer Ian Brown’s wife Vicky.

“He’s really cheeky and likes attention,” said Rachael who travelled four hours to this event. “He was tired as he’s already competed twice today, but he tried really hard to do what I asked. His serpentine came off really well, which is something we’ve been working on. I’ve found the Festival really fun and everyone is so friendly and cheerful. It’s more relaxed than a normal show and more flexibile.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage: pair return from serious injuries to take novice lead

Sarah Clarke and Hiawatha La Perle overcome adversity to return to the competition arena and take the lead in the

Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage: comeback king polishes his crown with second victory

‘I had three comments that said ‘needs more ground cover’, so that’s what I need to work on tomorrow’

Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage: homebred mare shines on competition debut

The four-year-old mare broke the 70% barrier twice on her competition debut at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage

Novice winners Amy Wray and Sara had everyone’s feet tapping to their fun score, put together by Equivision.

The pair’s score featured the techno-disco beats of DJ Scott’s Sweet Dreams and included American Authors’ Best Day Of My Life as well as Kongos’ Come With Me Now.

Leeds University student Amy admitted her entrance and first centre line is her favourite part of the test.

“I wanted something upbeat and recognisable that people would know,” said Amy, who has enjoyed success in affiliated music classes with the mare.

“She’s quite lively and sharp, so I wanted something that would suit her.”

The combination received the highest mark out of all the freestyle classes, 75.28%.

As well as dressage, Amy also competes the mare at endurance and the pair enjoy hunting with the Readyfield Bloodhounds in the winter.

Prelim winners Kirstie Clarke and CDS Calzini (pictured, top) produced a fluid, active test to a John Williams compilation, with music from the Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean films.

The eye-catching chestnut gelding (CHB x Crack C), bred and owned by Janice Vallance, was rewarded with a mark of 74.44%.

This was the five-year-old gelding’s second ever show and both his owner and rider were delighted with how he coped.

“He was a bit tired but he’s so good and trainable,” said Kirstie, who trains with Hannah Doggett and Stephen Clarke.

“I had music written for another horse but Hannah designed floorplan — I had never ridden through it fully until today! It’s such good music to ride to and it’s easy to get into a good rhythm.

“The judge stopped me at the end and said how good he was.”

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Freestyle dressage to music is fun and can showcase your horse’s strong points. It takes some time to get the right floorplan and music so don’t leave it to the last minute. Helen Triggs gives eight pointers to help you get started

1. Watch some freestyle classes at your level. This will give you a good idea of how to create an inventive floorplan. Ask other riders who did their floor plan and music and if they would recommend them for you. Talk to your trainer about what your horse is good at and what you need to disguise as much as possible.

2. Don’t make your floor plan too complicated. List 1 judge Kim Ratcliffe says: “Keep it simple. Too many changes of direction and pace, movements in odd places and an asymmetrical pattern just make it very difficult for the judge.

“Remember, they will not know what your floorplan is supposed to be, so if something goes wrong you can improvise. If your test is symmetrical you are less likely to forget it.”

Continued below…

25 signs you’re an incurable dressage diva/divo

Does seeing female competitors without hairnets make your stomach do a little flip? And is all your kit patent or

3. Be inventive with the floorplan. “The last thing you want to do is to go round and round the outside,” says Kim. Serpentines, figures of eight or shallow loops not only look better but help you get the horse more engaged too.

A lot of things can affect the performance on the day — the surface maybe a bit deeper than at home, the excitement of the competition may make your horse’s tempo quicker. “Make sure you know your music really well — listen to it in the car while driving or walking the dog. Then you will know if you are ahead or behind the music in the test and need to go deeper into the corners or take a shortcut across the arena,” advises Kim.

4. Don’t forget the compulsory movements. It is expensive to miss any out. If your horse is not so good at a movement, allow for repeating it so you can get a better average score if it doesn’t come off the first time.

“If your horses shines at something, avoid the temptation to repeat it too many times — you don’t want to risk a good score being brought down by later mistakes,” advises Kim.

5. You can create your own music programme or use a professional. You can download music editing programmes from the internet which are not that difficult to use and create your own CD. For a professional result it’s important that the changes of music are smooth and don’t jump.

Most people pay a professional and, depending on who you use, you should get a good programme for around £120-160. You can video your test and send it off or have a live session where the floorplan is worked out and filmed and the music selected. You may have a clear idea of what music you want or ask the programme maker to make suggestions.

6. Matching the footfall to the beat. This is the tricky but crucial part. The music must fit the horse’s personality and type and the tempo should match the footfall as much as possible. Taking a video of the test and then listening to music while you watch it will help get it right. Use dramatic phrases in the music to highlight your medium/extended strides.

7. Pick music you like as you are going to have to listen to it a lot. It is also best to choose a theme or a genre to make the music programme coherent. Vocals are OK as long as they are not too obtrusive. If you can, find something original but don’t choose music that appeals only to a select few. Film and TV soundtracks are often used because they contain variation and changes of phrasing and pace which you can incorporate into the performance.

8. A license is required to play music in public. Check the British Dressage (BD) website (www. Britishdressage.co.uk) which will give you full information and guidance. You can become a BD music member for £30 a year.

9. You should have two CDs of the music and try them out to make sure they will play in CD players and computers alike.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

First introduced to international competition at Goodwood in 1979 and then compulsory at the Olympics since 1996, the freestyle (or kür) was an instant hit. It’s now possible to contest freestyle to music from intro upwards.

We all love to watch it, but should more of us try it? How hard is it to construct a test to music and does it benefit or overface less expert combinations?

“Anyone can do it,” says Jennie Loriston-Clarke, who has ridden to music and taught others how to since those early days.

“It’s nice to ride a pattern that you have designed to enhance your own horse’s way of going and if you get into a good rhythm with the music it helps your riding.”

If you’re keen to give it a go, take a look at our freestyle dos and don’ts

DO✓ Choose music that fits the tempo of the horse’s footfalls and that matches his personality.

✓ Practise. Know your music really well, then you can adapt it to changing circumstances — you need room for manoeuvre.

✓ Leave room for mistakes. If you go wrong you can make it up as you go along — the judge doesn’t know what you were planning.

Continued below…

25 signs you’re an incurable dressage diva/divo

Does seeing female competitors without hairnets make your stomach do a little flip? And is all your kit patent or

✓ Make your floorplan interesting but clear, so the judge can see what movements you are attempting. Draw it on a piece of paper to see if it looks balanced.

✓ Label your CD clearly and have spares — you can borrow a bridle but not someone else’s music!

✓ Look at BD’s guidelines for judging dressage to music on their website. They are notes for judges, but are very detailed and tell you exactly what judges are looking for.

DON’T

✗ Make your freestyle look like an existing test — it’s your chance to do it differently.

✗ Use non-compulsory movements like rein-back that stop the flow of the pattern.

✗ If things go wrong, don’t chase the music — cut corners or use a shorter route across the diagonal.

This article was first published in H&H Ask The Trainer (Summer 2014)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A 14.3hh Welsh cob proved you don’t have to be big to be the best when winning a grand prix dressage championship in America at the weekend.

North Forks Cardi, a bay Welsh cob breeding stallion, won the open grand prix freestyle championship at the US Dressage Finals in Kentucky, USA on Saturday (8 November) under rider Jessica Wisdom.

The pair out-performed nine other combinations to claim the class with 71.375% — and his test was ridden in a snaffle bridle and included a piaffe pirouette.

“Freestyle is where he really shines — he hears that music and he becomes a big horse. Nobody told him that he’s only 14.3hh!” said Jessica, whose Celtic freestyle was created by Karen Robinson.

“All he has to do is go out there and be the rock star that he knows he is. He has an ego the size of Texas. He seemingly becomes three hands taller and says, ‘watch this’.”

By Canterbrook Llwynog Du x Bayford True Patriot, the America-bred 13-year-old is co-owned by his rider and Cynthia Miller. He is already a CDI winner since starting his international grand prix career last year.

It took Cardi four days to travel to the show from his home in Washington. Jessica has been riding the horse since he was three after she was asked to handle him at a youngstock show and was impressed by his attitude and outlook.

Jessica identifies fitness as key to Cardi’s performances and to keep him in peak condition he has a very varied routine, including rides on the beach, jumping cross-country and working cattle.

Watch other popular dressage videos

Woodlander Farouche wins prix st georges at Hartpury [VIDEO]

On day one, the huge prix st georges (PSG) was split into two sections, with Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche topping one. Watch highlights from their test.

Dressage with a difference: cats, camels, cows and more [VIDEO]

Aside from having four legs, a tail and a furry coat, there’s not a huge amount in common between dogs, cats, camels, cows and horses. Until now. We’ve found an eclectic collection of animals who are interested in giving Valegro a run for his money — flying changes, extended trot and half-pass included. Warning: you may feel like you’re having a bad dream…

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horse sport’s governing body is to analyse the way freestyle dressage is judged, in a bid to increase its objectivity.

The FEI, which plans to run a test event later this year, will discuss the idea at its annual sports forum in Switzerland next month.

FEI dressage and para dressage director Trond Asmyr told H&H that “freestyle is in higher need of a review”.

“The artistic element makes the judging criteria more difficult to define,” said Mr Asmyr. “The FEI has a very good experience testing new improved procedures before changes are introduced.”

The FEI would not be drawn on any specific spur for the test event. But there were cries of “subjectivity” after last year’s Olympic freestyle, when home favourite Charlotte Dujardin edged out the Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen, despite a blip towards the end of Valegro’s test.

International Dressage Riders’ Club (IDRC) secretary Wayne Channon said that some “evolution is absolutely necessary” in order to reduce the potential for personal preference.

“We need a [proposed] ‘defined catalogue of difficulties’ as, currently, we can have Olympic champions winning with quite a simple test,” he said.

“The technical side is already difficult enough to judge accurately, but the artistic side is almost a guess because the guidelines are not specific enough.

“And even if the execution is absolutely brilliant, if it’s not actually a very hard test for a 12-year-old grand prix horse, there needs to be an agreed standard of difficulty.”

Mr Channon is calling for a “code of deductions“, so that when a rider attempts a certain movement, errors will be docked according to the degree of difficulty of that movement — as in diving or ice skating, other sports that are subject to a judge’s opinion.

The test competitions will be judged by a ground jury, using the new format, and a control group — using the old format — to allow comparison. Around 20 horses and five judges are expected to be involved.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (28 March 2013)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Dressage freestyle composer Cess Slings has been working with Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson to produce a new freestyle to music for her top ride Favourit in time for the 2012 dressage season.

Watch this video for a fascinating insight into how the whole team work together to fine tune the music and performance before it is ready to show. This new freestyle, which is titled ‘It’s Broadway”, uses such well known tunes as Puttin’ on the Ritz. It will be unveiled to the public at the World Dressage Masters in Florida later this month.

‘It’s Broadway!’ Part II – The Rider, the Horse and the Choreography’. from Cees Slings on Vimeo.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Dressage record-breaker Totilas has teamed up with a superstar of a different kind — world famous DJ Paul van Dyk.

Paul has created the music for Totilas’ new freestyle routine, which will be seen for the first time at Balve, Germany, this weekend.

The Grammy-nominated DJ said: “To produce music for such an international star is a great honour.

“I started off by looking at the movement of Totilas when he was training with Matt [rider, Matthias Rath]. This allowed me to set the timing, tempo and pace for the composition.”

Paul then spent a week in a London studio producing the track before doing the final recording in Berlin. And the end result has thrilled Matthias.

He enthused: “When I first heard the music, I got goose bumps. This musical masterpiece fits so well with Totilas and his movements, I hope the crowds will be smiling when they see our routine on Sunday.”

What do you think? Listen to a clip here — www.matthias-rath.de/de/aktuell

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

H&H dressage columnist Richard Davison has been given permission by pop superstar Robbie Williams to use a specially arranged medley of the Take That singer’s music for his kur in the run up to the London Olympics.

“I’m just giving him the break — seeing if it helps his career,” joked Richard to H&H today.

“We’re gearing up for big things — I’m hoping Hiscox Artemis will be ready for European Championships this year.

“The horse has changed a lot in the past couple of years — he’s stronger and his paces are now a different tempo — we needed a new kur.”

Richard told H&H the collaboration came about through Artemis’s owner, the Countess of Derby. “She used her contacts and has come up with the goods — again,” he said.

The songs — including Rock DJ, Love Supreme and Let Me Entertain You — have been performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for Richard’s use.

His kur will be debuted at s’Hertogenbosch in Holland this weekend, with the aim of competing at the World Cup Final in Leipzig in April.

“We’ll make a few tweaks to the routine after this weekend — I’ve ridden it a couple of times at home, but that leaves us a few weeks to get used to it,” added Richard who says he’s long been a big Take That and Robbie fan.

“It’s very exciting. It’s just an amazing sound — it’s very rocky and you can’t get it out of your head. I defy anyone to keep still. It’s brilliant, fantastic to ride to and very different from our old Elton John piece.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TRIPLE Olympian Richard Davison will unveil a new freestyle routine on his London 2012 hope Artemis at the H&H-sponsored Olympia World Cup qualifier (17 December).

The specially recorded piece Artemis In Motion features Elton John classics played by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO).

Mr Davison said: “To have the musical genius of Elton John and the RLPO behind our freestyle is mind-blowing.”

The Netherlands’ freestyle expert, Joost Peters, choreographed the programme to match the nine-year-old’s every footfall.

The idea came from Artemis’s joint owner, the Countess of Derby, whose husband is president of the RLPO.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (23 October, ’08)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now