Classical Kur Design
The process of developing a dressage kur or musical freestyle, either for competition, demonstration, or performance, involves several steps and generally takes at least two months to complete. Riders should ideally contact Janna at least three to four months in advance of their competition or performance date to begin planning their musical ride. They should also bear in mind that timely delivery of materials and feedback to Janna will greatly aid in keeping the project on schedule. Costs depend somewhat on the scope of the project, but in general a standard 4-5 minute freestyle test costs around $400 for the musical design alone, and around $500 for music plus choreography. Pre-recorded music is used for the basic packages. Custom compositions and performances can be arranged at an additional cost. A 50% downpayment is required for Janna to begin working on a project with the balance due upon completion.
The following is an outline of the kur design process:
1. Unless the horse is located in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota, good video footage (preferably digital) of the horse in each of its different gaits (both collected and extended), as well as any movements to be performed such as piaffe, passage, and tempi changes will be required. For this video, the horse should be wearing white leg wraps so that its footfalls can be seen as precisely as possible, and each gait should be shot in separate takes so that the camera angle can be as consistent as possible. The videographer should stand in the arena between E or B and X, and each shot should show the horse moving straight down the opposite long side for about 10 seconds in each gait.
2. If there is pre-existing choreography, Janna must also be sent good video footage of the entire pattern, including entering the arena if there is to be a musical introduction (usually music can start before entering the ring or at the first halt). Again, the horse should wear white wraps, but in this case the video footage should be in one single shot with the camera stationed outside the arena at E or B. A complete written description of the choreography, similar in format to the way dressage tests are written, should accompany the video of the choreography.
3. When the choreography is to be developed with the music, Janna will need a list of the required elements along with an indication of which elements and combinations the horse is particularly talented at performing. Each movement should be videotaped individually, showing the transitions into and out of the movement as well.
4. Janna will then look at the horse's general movement and presence and select a variety of musical pieces that seem to suit the horse and the performance needs. If riders have any particular pieces they would like to incorporate, they should send them to Janna along with their video. Janna will send the rider the pieces she has selected so that he or she can ride to them and return feedback on suitability and preference.
5. Janna will take a selection of these pieces and match them each to sections of the choreography so that the tempos and clips are adjusted to fit the horse's gaits and movements. This will be a "rough draft" so that the rider can have something to practice with and be able to send feedback on how everything is working out. At this point it is often helpful to see the choreography being ridden to the music, either in person or on video.
6. The final stage involves tweaking of the tempi and the lengths of the clips to make everything work seamlessly, as well as smoothing out the transitions between musical clips so that everything flows nicely. In the end, riders will receive a high quality CD with the kur music, and a copy of the written description of the choreography with notes as to what is happening in the music. If a digital video of the choreography is sent, it is also possible to return this with the music dubbed over for practice purposes.
