Equestrian Performance Management and Equine Science students at University Centre Sparsholt (UCS) will soon work with the latest simulator technology. Cementing its reputation as a leading national and international home of rider performance analysis, UCS will be the second college in the UK to have a Racewood Eventing simulator in their new Equestrian Performance Studio. The studio is due to open in December 2018.
The state-of-the-art simulator operates using motion control technology. It will enable Sparsholt students to further expand their research in the growing field of rider performance. From Grand Prix dressage to show jumping and cross country, the simulator will bring equestrian disciplines to life in a controlled, safe environment. Ultimately, it will provide students with the ideal conditions for rider performance research and analysis.
Ella Bartlett, currently completing her BSc (Hons) Equine Science at UCS and about to embark on the MSc Equine Behaviour Performance and Training said: “This investment in the equine research capabilities will have a great impact on our student experience and makes me even more excited to begin my masters’ course at UCS in September 2018”.
Rider analysis a growing area of employment and UCS wants to use this new facility to support students in developing the skills for advanced careers in this sector.
Teaching Fellow Lorna Cameron has worked with the University of Portsmouth (UoP) on published research. Lorna said: “With the Equestrian Performance Studio we can take our research and analysis to a new level enhancing our existing research collaborations with UoP and University Centre Hartpury. The Eventing simulator has life-like ride capabilities and sophisticated sensors. This technology will enable our students to increase the commercial rider analysis work they do and increase their research output. The repeatability of the conditions our students can data collect in will result in research published in higher impact journals with increased relevance to the wider equestrian industry.”