Testimonials
A great freestyle should feel personal, thoughtful, and beautifully suited to the horse-and-rider team. One of the most meaningful parts of this work is hearing how clients experience that process and what the finished music comes to mean to them.
What Clients Value Most
Every rider comes to the process from a different place. Some begin with a clear vision, while others are just starting to explore ideas. What matters most to me is creating work that feels collaborative, approachable, and deeply tailored to the team.
The reflections below speak not only to the finished product, but to the experience of creating something personal, polished, and memorable together.
Client Reflections
Abbie Askegaard
3rd and 4th Level Freestyles
“Sam has been a life saver for my freestyle. After years watching friends compete, I decided to do a freestyle for myself. Sam walked me through the process and spent hours helping me find music that not only fit my horse but my own personal style. I will be using her for all my future freestyles!”
Rochelle Wrisky
Wrisky Ranch Boarding, training and lessons
1st level Freestyle
“This is my first year diving into the freestyle world. Sam was such an amazing resource and had so much knowledge in helping me create and choreograph my first freestyle. Sam worked with me late notice on the chance that I would pull a waitlist spot after closing date to potentially qualify for regionals at a local show. The music she did for us was fun and energetic. It worked great with my horses strides and the timing was perfect. We unfortunately didn’t snag a spot, but are excited to have a freestyle set for this upcoming season. I have had the privilege of watching many of the freestyles Sam has done this past year. I love how they were all tailored specifically to their horse and rider and their unique personalities while maintaining a professional and presentable quality for the competition ring. Many of these I watched at Regionals and Sam’s music truly stood out among others.”
Alicia Stock
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Level Freestyles
“I am so lucky to have had Sam making my freestyle music for a couple of years now. Every time I look at her with a new idea she takes my enthusiasm in stride. My favorite freestyle that she’s done for me so far is my Kingdom Hearts freestyle. It’s based off of music from the video game series that I loved as a young teen. I cried when I first heard her work on this project. Sam found a way to merge a childhood video game into my passion for riding. Now every time I ride that freestyle I’m brought back down memory lane. I’m so grateful to have her talented ears working with me. And I look forward to many new adventures! 10/10 would recommend and will use again.”
Janet Buckner
4th Level Freestyle
“All I had was a concept and one song. Working with my trainer, Kate Phillips, in two lessons Kate worked up the choreography which was video'd (in Florida) on a cell phone and sent to Sam (in Minnesota). Sam understood my vision and took my one song (Money For Nothing- Dire Straits), added two more Dire Straits tunes and created a DYNAMITE freestyle that I used for two horses and two levels (3rd and 4th) with some slight tweaking for different gait tempos and different allowable choreography. Sam knows music and she understands how to build a freestyle, creating the entry, the crescendo and winding up with an impactful halt/salute. I highly recommend Sam Martinson, now officially Rhythm and Blues Freestyles! Hoping to get that 4th level Freestyle bar this season!”
More Than a Finished Product
The goal is never simply to hand someone music. It is to create a freestyle that feels expressive, cohesive, and truly suited to the team performing it.
The most meaningful feedback often comes from riders who feel not only excited by the final result, but understood throughout the process. That balance of artistry, collaboration, and thoughtful design is at the center of every project I take on
Interested in Creating a Freestyle of Your Own?
Whether you already have a theme in mind or are just beginning to explore ideas, I would love to hear about your horse, your goals, and the kind of performance you want to create.