Meet Sam
Dressage trainer, FEI competitor, USEF “r” judge, clinician, and the founder of Rhythm & Blues Freestyles.
I create custom musical freestyles with an eye for movement, suitability, scoring, and the kind of performance that feels both personal and unforgettable.
How Rhythm & Blues Began
More than ten years ago, my path into freestyle design began very simply: I loved freestyles and wanted the chance to ride one myself, but at the time, having one created felt financially out of reach.
So I taught myself how to make them.
What started as a personal creative challenge quickly grew into something more. I began creating freestyles for friends and clients in the barn, and over time, that work evolved into Rhythm & Blues Freestyles.
That beginning still shapes the way I approach this work today. I know how meaningful it is for a rider to have music that truly feels like their own, and I care deeply about making freestyle feel more accessible, approachable, and possible for a wider range of riders.
Experience, Artistry, and a Judge’s Eye
Creating a successful freestyle requires more than musical taste. It takes an understanding of movement, presentation, suitability, and the details that influence both the feeling of a performance and the way it is evaluated.
As a professional dressage trainer, FEI competitor, and USEF “r” judge, I bring both artistic instinct and competitive perspective to every project. I hold Silver and Bronze Freestyle Bars and have taken seven of my own freestyles to US Dressage Finals.
My judging background is an especially important part of how I approach freestyle design. Through that training, I have developed a deeper understanding of freestyle judging criteria, how scoring works, and the elements that contribute to a stronger overall impression. That perspective helps me create freestyles that are not only expressive and beautifully matched to the horse, but also thoughtfully designed with presentation, suitability, and performance quality in mind. My goal is to make freestyle feel both elevated and approachable: something beautiful, thoughtful, and accessible to more riders.
What Matters Most to Me in a Freestyle
I feel strongly that the best freestyles are built around a clear sense of identity. A freestyle should not feel random or generic. It should have a theme, a point of view, and a sense of cohesion that carries through the entire performance.
Just as importantly, that theme should complement the horse.
The music should reflect the horse’s style, energy, expression, and way of going. It should enhance what is naturally there, not fight against it. When the theme, music, choreography, and horse all work together, the result feels more polished, more memorable, and far more authentic.
That is always the goal: to create a freestyle that feels distinctive, thoughtfully built, and truly suited to the team.
Why I Love This Work
I am an avid competitor, but freestyle has always held a special place for me. It brings together so many of the things I love most: horsemanship, creativity, musicality, performance, and the challenge of building something that feels both strategic and deeply personal.
I also love teaching, and that shapes the way I work with clients. Whether someone comes to me with a fully developed vision or only the beginnings of an idea, I enjoy helping them understand the process, explore possibilities, and feel more confident in what we are creating together.
What I love most about freestyle design is the moment when everything begins to align: the horse, the music, the movement, and the rider’s personality all coming together into something that feels unmistakably their own. I believe riders should feel inspired by the process, not intimidated by it.
What It’s Like to Work with Me
My approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and highly individualized. Some clients come with a clear theme or strong musical vision. Others come with only a general feeling they want the performance to create. Both are welcome.
I work to understand the goals of the rider, the strengths of the horse, and the kind of performance the team wants to create. From there, the process becomes one of shaping something that feels intentional, expressive, and uniquely suited to that partnership.
Clients can expect a process that is creative but grounded, professional but approachable, and built on close attention to detail. My goal is always to create work that feels polished and well designed, while also making the process feel accessible, collaborative, and not intimidating.
Background and Credentials
My perspective on freestyle design is shaped by years of work in dressage both in and out of the ring. As a trainer, I understand the importance of building work that supports the horse and rider as a team. As a competitor, I understand what it feels like to want a performance to reflect not only preparation and skill, but personality and presence. As a judge, I understand how music, choreography, presentation, and overall impression come together in both performance and scoring.
That combination of experience allows me to approach each freestyle with both creativity and practicality in mind. I am always listening for what will elevate the team, flatter the horse, and create a final result that feels polished from beginning to end.
Interested in Working Together?
Whether you are ready to create a custom freestyle, interested in educational support, or simply want to learn more about the process, I would love to hear from you.