Dressage Freestyle 2018/19
“Being a deaf rider, the freestyle is the most difficult as marks are given on compulsory movements, choreography and music interpretation,” Tan said.
Filmed and edited by Louis Neethling
Music plays an important role in Dressage; it’s how a rider makes the horse ‘dance’. The horse's performance in Dressage is a physical embodiment of music in time; it is a unique way to visualise music, and fits within the theory of Audiovisability.
For Laurentia, music is invisible at competition level. Laurentia is profoundly deaf, so is at an immediate disadvantage in the arena. Audiovisability saw opportunities in this barrier and will support Laurentia Tan in her development of musical understanding by pairing her with deaf and hearing musicians and technology specialists in what will be a unique collaboration between world-class professionals in these areas.
The need for the research and development funding from Arts Council: “I do wish though that I could have a live orchestra playing something visual so I can ‘see’ the music,” Tan said. “Other riders can hear their music and pace themselves. I can’t hear the music at all, let alone when it has started or is finishing. I can’t hear where I am in the timing of the music, never mind if I have more time or less time to do a certain movement. But I think it is a blessing in a way as I can just concentrate on the riding, the horse and the movements.
As a professional rider, Laurentia knows that music is paramount in dressage at international level. By working with deaf and hearing musicians, Audiovisability will give her the opportunity to explore and develop her understanding of music, as well as tackle the challenges to enable Laurentia to “hear” the music in the arena. The ability to understand and hear music will significantly enhance Laurentia’s experience, enabling her to make independent decisions in her riding and support her in reaching for gold.
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Dressage Freestyle is funded and supported by Arts Council England, Deaf Explorer, Decibels Charity UK, Evelyn Glennie HQ, Tom Hunt Dressage, Sobel Foundation, Volker Eubel at Dressurstall, Germany and the Subpac Company.
