Klassic Kur -- What is a kur?

What is a kur?

DRESSAGE: Dressage is an equestrian discipline centered on developing the strength and flexibility of the horse, with the ultimate aim of this development being the achievement of harmony between horse and rider. The horse should exhibit freedom and regularity of his paces, have good impulsion, and be calm, confident and attentive.

FREESTYLE: Many sports are divided into two phases of competition: the compulsory phase where competitors perform a standard test, and an optional (freestyle) phase where music reflecting the personality and style of movement of the individual athlete accompanies the performance.

KUR: Dressage musical freestyle (Kur) received little attention until 1986. In that year, the World Cup for Dressage was established with the criteria for the championship being one Grand Prix (standard) test weighted 50% and one Kur (freestyle) test weighted 50%. The popularity of the kur has grown so immensely since then that it was added to the Olympic Dressage format for the 1996 Atlanta Games.