PEI CADORA will be holding its first national dressage horse show in 2001 on June 9 and 10 at Venture Stables in Freetown. Riders from the three Maritime provinces are expected to compete in the show.
The show will include the whole range of dressage tests, from a basic level to the complicated Intermediate 1 test. The riders will ride technical as well as freestyle tests.
The idea of the Freestyle (also called a kur) is to ride a dressage test to music. The rhythm of the music must match the gait and paces of the horse. The beat of the music must be with the beat of the horse's front legs. Any change of gait, from trot to canter for example, must be matched by a change of rhythm in the music. The judging criteria includes the total technical performance of the test as well as choreography, degree of difficulty and music selection. Anyone interested in learning more about the finer points of freestyles can consult either of the following Websites: dressageunltd.com or klassickur.com The process is similar to skating to music and it has been compared to dancing.
Island dressage riders are working with Island music studios, such as Gordon Belsher at Guernsey Cove Parlour Productions, and Island musicians, such as Roy Johnstone, to prepare their music.
"The freestyle rides will be held on Sunday afternoon," said Ron Stewart, CADORA President. "The freestyle rides are quite beautiful to watch, and we invite Islanders to come and watch the show at Venture Stables in Freetown at any time, but especially on Sunday afternoon."