2004 Olympic Games - Dressage

Dancing To The Music: Olympians Show They’ve Got the Beat

Text and Photos by Diana DeRosa

August 25, 2004 – Athens Greece – Fifteen riders danced to the music today, including three from the U.S. and when it was all said and done Holland’s Anky van Grunsven earned her second Gold Medal in a row, snatching the victory from Germany’s Ulla Salzgeber, who was leading going into the Grand Prix Freestyle. And it was Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, who claimed the Bronze Medal.

In a Freestyle the riders have a certain number of required movements that they must perform however the order is their choice and their ride is choreographed to music. How well the music and the horse sync is key and choosing the correct music is an art. Today we listened to Mary Poppins, Flamenco music, Simon and Garfunkel medleys and so much more. The riders and their choreographers chose music they felt fit their horses.

While the horses moved rhythmically we hummed along. “This is the last dance with you,” we hummed during parts of Juan Antonio Jimenez’ ride aboard Guizo, the first combination to enter the ring. His music throughout was pleasantly sweet and his test included one-tempi changes on a circle and a piaffe spin in place and the music constantly changed to fit the rhythm of his horse.