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Dressage Musical Freestyle Clinics

    These musical freestyle clinics are fun and educational for all who participate.  Riding to music that fits your horse can be one of the most enjoyable experiences rider's can have in dressage. Holding this clinic should help promote freestyles at your local competitions and Regional Championships.

Scheduled Clinics

    I have numerous clinics scheduled for this year.  Please contact the person listed if you would like to find out about one of the clinics.

Currently Scheduled for 2012:

Jan. 28/29 Moorpark, CA Spirit Equestrian Center with CDS Ventura Chapter or Pam Wall at (805) 816-9211

Feb. 25/26 in Dallas, TX Contact Amy Ganci at aganci@gancilaw.com

March 3/4 Columbus, OH  MODA Contact Jackie Sharp at jackie@heartfeltfarms.com

March 24/25, 2012 Sacramento, Calif. Contact Laura Beeman at lbeeman@lanset.com

April 7/8 in Arroyo Grande, CA  Contact Anita Parra at wickzcats@netzero.com

April 21/22 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin  Contact Michelle Marquart at markquartm@aol.com

April 28/29 in Tucson, AZ Contact Nancy Leverenz at nancyldvm@gmail.com

May 19/20 Gardnerville, Nevada Contact Leslie Grove at lgrove@intergritybsc.com

May 26/27 in Shreveport, LA  Contact Marty Harp at martyharp@aol.com

July 14/15 Atlanta, GA Contact Julie Shannon at ddshannon@mindspring.com

    A few 2012 dates are still open, so please contact me ASAP for available dates.  These clinics are very popular.  You may always schedule a date and, if you need to change or cancel, there is no fee charged. 

 

  EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

1. Riders and auditors will leave the clinic with a greater understanding of the freestyle process and how freestyles are judged. 

2. They will see first hand how the appropriate music can enhance the horse's gaits. 

3. They will also observe how choreography is developed based on musical phrases, level, and skill of the horse and rider.

4. Music can help riders to regulate a consistent tempo which can lead to relaxation, the basis of the training scale.  

 

 Read a Dressage Daily article on the San Juan Capistrano, CA freestyle clinic. "Spectators sipped award-winning wines while watching and learning about musical freestyles from visiting clinician, Cynthia Collins."  http://www.dressagedaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6524%3Amusic-to-our-ears-a-spectacular-evening-of-wine-tasting-and-dressage-musical-freestyles&catid=1%3Aevents&Itemid=58

 CLINIC COSTS

   Freestyle clinics are available for GMO's and small private groups of riders anywhere in the United States.  These are usually scheduled for two days.  The cost is $75 per session for the riders, plus expenses.  The expenses may be covered by the hosting group through grants from The Dressage Foundation, auditor fees, or split between the riders.  Clinics should schedule 5 to 8 riders per day.  Please see the middle of this page for more information on grants that are available.  A lecture on the USEF rules and USDF/FEI requirements along with a video presentation is available.  This is recommended to be scheduled the evening before, but can also be given during the clinic.   

My costs for 2 day clinic:

           Rider fees are $150 each for two 50 minute sessions per rider.  If rider's decide they would like me to design a freestyle for them, based on the clinic, they will receive credit for the session fees paid to me at the clinic.

           Lecture fee $200 regardless of number of attendees. There is no charge from me for auditors.  Groups may keep all auditor fees to help cover expenses. 

Expenses: Flight/travel costs, housing, food, and possible rental of a sound system. 

Cost Cutting Ideas for the Freestyle Clinic

Here are ways to cut down on the expenses. 

Housing: I prefer to stay at someone's home as long as I have my own room.

Flight: A member could donate their miles.   Whichever airline is the cheapest is fine with me.  I prefer the group do the actual booking.

Arena: A local member or trainer could donate the use of the arena or perhaps collect only stable and/or trailer in fees.  Although I prefer a standard arena, we can work with a slightly smaller one.

Food: Different members could make food for a potluck.  I am fairly open when it comes to food.

Sound system: I do have an amplifier I could bring.  It would only be the luggage/shipping fees.

 

       Since I am a freestyle designer and choreographer, I do not deal with the training of movements of the horse, or the rider.  That is something the rider should seek the advise of a skilled trainer.  If you are looking for an excellent teacher to clinic with, I would strongly urge you to contact Susan Hoffman-Peacock at www.PeacockDressage.com  or call (909) 227-6404.  She works on rider biomechanics and is EXCELLENT.

      For the freestyle clinic, the riders should be working toward the level of the freestyle, however, they do not need to be completely proficient at that level during the time of the clinic.  The rider does need to be able to control the horse safely during the clinic.  

     Auditor's are encouraged to participate during the music selection phase of the session.  Rider's are encouraged to watch other rider's sessions.

 

Lecture

    A lecture and video presentation is highly recommended.  This can be held either with the freestyle clinic or separately.  The lecture covers the USEF rules and the USDF and FEI requirements for all levels of freestyles.  Questions can be answered at any time during the presentation.  The video shows freestyles I have designed for myself and clients from First Level through Grand Prix.  The technical and artist aspects of the freestyles are discussed during the presentation.  The lecture is $200 and takes about 2 hours.  The lecture is recommended the day prior to the clinic as participates should possess this knowledge before their sessions.   A TV and DVD player must be provided during the lecture.

Grants available

    GMO's may apply for up to $750 in a grant from the "Dancing Horse Fund"  through the Dressage Foundation for freestyle education.  This foundation has been very generous by giving grants to many of my freestyle clinics.  Grants are awarded to "promote participation in, and improve the quality of Musical Freestyles at all levels of Dressage."  This grant is also available to private groups.

    Adult Education grants may also be available for up to $2000 from the "Violet Hopkins Fund"  through the Dressage Foundation and may only be used by GMO's.

    You must apply for these grants AT LEAST 90 IN ADVANCE of the scheduled clinic.

    To apply for funding assistance for grants, please contact:

    The Dressage Foundation

1314 'O' Street, Suite 305
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-434-8585

 

www.dressagefoundation.org

Cynthia Collins' 2010 Freestyle Clinics funded by The Dressage Foundation

                        Dallas Dressage Club                    Willow View Farm

Twin River Chapter of ODS               Pomona Chapter of CDS                   SEDA

Some comments to The Dressage Foundation from Participants:

* Huge success!

* Clinician really understood my horse and helped us relax.

* The clinic was very successful, bringing the largest number of auditors to any clinic our Chapter has ever held!

* Feedback from all riders, auditors, and spectators was overwhelmingly positive.

* The clinic helped me to develop a better eye and ear.

* The format of this clinic was wonderful - we need to know more about freestyle!

* Very informative!

* Clinician was well prepared for all participants.

* Cynthia had a broad and deep knowledge of freestyles. She was very generous with her knowledge and time.

* Very informative - explained in a way that was easy to understand.

* Covered everything to get started riding a freestyle at your chosen level.

* The clinic was a huge success! Everyone went away happy.

* It is fun and educational to learn your horse's tempo and match music to it.

 

Past clinics

    I have had very successful clinics in the past.  They have been enjoyable for the participates and myself.  These have been held in

Dallas, San Antonio, and El Paso, Texas;    

Prescott, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona;

Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio;      

Lexington and Paducah, Kentucky;                      Leesburg, Virginia;

Shreveport and New Orleans, Louisiana;     

Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee;

Atlanta, Georgia;                   Green Bay and Mil., Wisconsin;           Chicago, Ill.;                Northern Alabama;          Wichita, Kansas

Kona, Maui, and Oahu, Hawaii;                           Kansas City, MO

Eugene and Portland, Oregon;

Pomona, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Temecula, Petaluma,  Somis, Santa Clarita, Sacramento, and Redding, California.

 

Clinic Guidelines

    In order to ensure a successful freestyle clinic, the following guidelines should be followed.

Arena

- A full sized dressage court measuring 20 meters by 60 meters with proper footing and marked letters is  recommended. However, I can work with a slightly smaller one, if necessary. 

- Please make arrangements so that the arena will be properly watered and dragged before the start of each day and, if needed, at lunch.

- It is strongly suggested that a covered arena be used in case of inclement weather. 

Sound System

- An arena accessible sound system in which my I Pod can be plugged into (a microphone jack works) needs to be provided. (I will bring the appropriate cords.)  I do have an amplifier that works quite well, but you would need to pay for it's shipping fees both ways.  You can always purchase a small (guitar) amplifier at a music store or Wal-Mart for around $200.  Then it could be used at other clinics or shows. Also, it could be cheaper than renting a system.

Riders

- All riders MUST sign a release for Luna Tunes Freestyles before any session can start.

- All riders MUST wear approved safety headwear and proper footwear during all sessions.

- Safety is always given top priority. If a rider has any concerns during a session, she/he should notify Cynthia Collins immediately.

 

RIDER GOALS

    Rider's should have one of the following goals in mind while riding in the freestyle clinic.

1. The rider desires a complete competitive freestyle.  There is an additional cost for this service, however, the rider will receive a discount on the freestyle fees. 

On the first day, the horse's gait tempo's are measured.  The horse's movement, body build, and level, is observed in order to select appropriate music.  Next, music is played while the horse trots, canters, and then walks, to see which type of music looks correct with the horse.  -Rider's may bring music they have to be analyzed to see if it might be appropriate for their horse.  All tracks on the CD should be labeled ahead of time for the correct gait. 

On the second day, choreography will be discussed and developed. The rider may need to ride sections of the choreography several times while choreography is being created and adjustments are made.  Because this section only deals with the timing of the music during the movements, correctness of the movements is not emphasized.  However, the movements must be ridden correctly once the rider becomes familiar with their music and choreography in order to perform the freestyle.  The rider will be sent or e-mailed the choreography. 

Then the rider must video tape the riding of the choreography and send that, along with a 50% deposit, to Luna Tunes.  The freestyle will then be designed.  The final payment will be due at when the freestyle is done. Rider's will receive a credit for fees that had been paid to me for the clinic.

2. The rider desires to improve their rhythm and tempo through the use of music.  This can be especially beneficial to lower level riders to help with the first two levels of the Training Scale, rhythm and relaxation.  If desired, a riding CD can be made of the music found for an additional fee.  As many song choices can be found during the time permitted. 

The horse's gait tempo's are measured.  The horse's way of going is observed in order to select appropriate music.   Next, music is played while the horse trots, canters, and then walks, to see which type of music looks correct with the horse.  The rider will experience how the appropriate music at the correct tempo will increase their understanding and ability to ride correctly.  If rider's would like a riding CD made of the music found at the clinic, there are additional fees, but these will be discounted from the clinic fees paid to me for riding in the clinic.

3. The rider wants to work on their existing freestyle, either to improve on it or change it to a different level.  During their session, we will discuss music changes and/or choreography changes that will improve their scores.  If' they bring their existing CD, changes can be made on my computer at the clinic and new CD's made.

4. The rider wants to come, ride to music, learn about the development of freestyles in order to put together a freestyle them self.  Although the rider does not receive the music selected during these sessions, they will understand the type of music that is appropriate for their horse along with the tempo's of their horse's gaits.   

5. Rider's want to participate in a Pas de Deux.  All rider's who are going to ride in the Pas de Deux, should ride during all sessions.  Music can be selected or riders can bring their own music.  Choreography can be created or existing choreography can be worked with and/or improved.  Working together as a group will be emphasized during their session in order to produce a higher scoring presentation.  If rider's would like me to design the freestyle developed at the clinic, credit will be given based on the fees paid to me from the clinic.  Rider's may split the additional costs.