4. Edit Your Music
If you're not working with a specialist, you can edit your music yourself.
Play your video and time each section as accurately as possible:
- From the start outside the arena until the first halt
- The length of the halt
- From the first transition until the end of the first section (change to a different pace)
- Continue timing for all the sections from each change of pace until the next one.
For example, your timing should look something like this (for a Novice freestyle test):
| Entry | 16 seconds |
| Halt | 6 seconds |
| Trot | 2 minutes 15 seconds |
| Walk | 38 seconds |
| Canter | 1 minute 21 seconds |
| Trot | 25 seconds |
Start with the entry, choose a point in your music that has a definite halt. The end of the trot music may supply this, it's fine to use the same phrase or point at the start and end if you like.
TOP TIP: Allow a few seconds of silence for your halt. Remember you need enough time to salute and readjust the reins afterwards so 4-6 seconds should be about right.
Build up each section selecting passages from the relevant music to match each pace.
Your last section will end with a halt; again, the end of the relevant track should supply this. After your salute at the end fade out the track slightly if it runs on too long.
Play your finished track over several times and make adjustments if needed. If you can play your video at the same time it’s really helpful. When you're ready save the music as an MP4 file that you can play from any device.