FEI Background Music Guidelines for Grand Prix Special to Music

Dressage

FEI

The FEI issued an updated version of the background music guidelines for the Grand Prix Special to Music.

The Grand Prix Special to Music is the latest invention of the FEI to make dressage more appealing to the spectators.

The Grand Prix Special to Music has been first tested in Wellington last year and will be tested again at the CDI Hagen this week in preparation of the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the Grand Prix Special will be part of the team championship competition.

FEI Background Music Guidelines for Grand Prix Special to Music

The addition of music to the Grand Prix Special has been introduced to make the test more attractive to the audience and the media, and to allow the Athlete to show some more personality in their Test. The music will not be judged, it is to be used as background music.

As the music is not judged, no penalties or marks will be awarded for the music. The purpose of the music is the same as it was previously when it was set by the OC; the only change is that the Athlete can now choose their own background music.

If the Athlete does not provide any own background music, the OC will provide this music.

Guidelines for the Grand Prix Special to Music:

Any style of music can be used for this test
The music does not have to match the gaits of the horse (this is not judged)
Vocals are allowed
Should any problems occur with the music, the test will continue with neither deductions nor interruptions (Article 429.11 (paragraph 2) shall not apply)
The music can be as simple as the Athlete choses. It can be adapted, like the music for a Freestyle test, or can be a simple song in the background. This choice is up to the Athlete.
The volume of the music in the dressage arena must not exceed 65-70 dB. The value will be checked with the Technical Delegate (TD) before the test.
The athletes, respectively the nation have no influence on the volume of the background music played in GP and GPS. This responsibility is in the hands of the responsible TD in consultation with the respective Music Director.
There will be no sound check for these tests. To check the correct assignment of the music, a so-called check by Music Director with the Chefs d'Equipe or athletes may take place.

The music will not be judged. Judges are used to having background music which has previously been set by the OC. The music for the Grand Prix Special test will be considered by the Judges as background music and so will not affect the scores.

Notes for the Organiser on how the music is to be played:

The music must start playing after the first halt.
The music will either end at the final halt (if the Athlete has timed this) or must be faded out after the final halt.

Please refer to the Olympic regulations for clearance of rights and handing in of the music.