Freestyles as a Fundraiser
FOR MORE FUN, exhibition freestyles can focus on the horse’s strong points—and riders can wear any costumes. Couple it with a fundraiser for a local charity, and it’s a win-win. The Central Florida Dressage GMO held its eighth annual “Fabulous Freestyle” fund-
raiser in 2017. Benefiting the Freedom Ride Therapeutic Riding Center, the event attracts paying spectators. “You can get people to pay to come watch dressage to music,” says Susan Croft, the CFD president. “It’s just for fun. It gives riders a chance to just relax and do it. You announce, ‘Costumes,’ and they are in!” The event is hosted at the Silver Sands Riding Club in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Riders can enter as individuals, pas de deux, pas de trois and quadrilles. In addition to dressage riders, their event occasionally attracts vaulters and drill
teams. “One act did a production of Grease, and had minis pulling carts for the racing scene,” Susan explains. “And Western riders have participated and done reining movements.”
Glitzy freestyles have wowed thousands at the World Cup Finals held in Las Vegas. An especially memorable spectacle was in 2009 when Guenter Seidel and Eliza- beth Ball performed a pas de deux to music from The Phantom of the Opera.
Top: Javier Gamboa rode his Thoroughbred in the freestyle called “Return of Zorro” in 2016 at the Central Florida Dressage GMO’s fundraiser. Above: Two sisters wowed the crowds with their act “Anything You Can Do” in 2016. Left: At the Freedom Ride Therapeutic Riding Center some special needs kids performed in costume during the freestyle event in 2016.
Warmbloods Today 85
Three photos by Ed Haas
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