This Robert Dover video is circulating on some horse-related bulletin boards. Filmed in 1988, this performance is not at all dated IMHO. While it may not be a musical freestyle exactly (more of a demonstration or performance), it is still inspiring to watch and makes me wish riders had opportunities to perform more without the conventions/constraints of the musical freestyle seen in competition. Freestyle specialists seem to eschew music with words, and convention dictates changes of music for different gaits. This video shows how a dressage performance can be choreographed beautifully to one song.
The female commentator (initially thought it was Jane Savoie, but it isn't) does a good job but I would have cheerfully throttled her as she talked righted through this fabulous pair's performance. I'm sure she's aiming her commentary to audiences unfamiliar with dressage, but is it really necessary to count "one-two-one-two-one-two" through the one tempis. Talk about frivolous!
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I thought it was me. I kept wanting to say, "Shhhhhh!" You're right, it was a little obnoxious. Most of us do know how to keep time to music. I loved the video though! Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI loved this performance! I was there as a young teenager and up until that point I had thought Dressage was for frumpy older. I cried during this when I saw it live. Since then I have sought to always try to improve my riding. I always said I wanted to ride at least half as good as Robert. Thank you, I had not seen that video in years.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's so funny - I have this grainy old videotape of a dressage competition that I recorded from TV as a kid, and this was one of the rides on there. I'm glad it made it to YouTube!
ReplyDeleteI could spend all day watching dressge performances like that....
ReplyDeleteand yes, the commentary was a bit annoying but some people do not know the movements so I suppose it is necessary.
I have to say that I really prefer this musical choice over the one in your next post. I find it disconcerting when other people choose music that jumps around or changes songs with every gate. I enjoy a smooth performance that embodies one song. It tells more of a story.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree BayHorse. Editing freestyles is a tricky business I'm sure, but I hate when one song just trails off and another one just starts up. Fadeouts and fadeins just aren't enuf for a smooth transition...
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you so much for posting this. I saw this years ago, and taped it, but one time to many loaning the tape out I lost it, and have been looking ever since for it.
ReplyDeleteI had never seen Freestyle dressage before this, and it blew me away. I agree about the music, I think it much more challenging, to pick a song and follow it though, using both it and the moves to tell a story.
Doesn't sound at all like Jane Savoie to me - particularly as the male commentator refers to her as "Gretchen" in the last sentence on the video....
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