There’s no denying that AI is gaining ground as we speak. To those of us of the low-techy-techy variety, it probably just means giggling over pics of horses with five legs or smugly correcting whatever it throws up if you ask it what eventing is. But lucky for us, more high-techy-techy types are wrangling the technology so that the rest of us can actually use it purposefully.
One such team is Ridesum, who have recently added an AI Seat Analytics function to their digital training and diary app. Using a smart phone, you upload a video of your ride and then use the app to check out just how balanced you are whilst in the saddle through an assessment of your posture. You then get tailored tips and exercises to improve your position, and you can stay on top of your progress with the tracker function.
Ridesum tried it out on Carl Hester’s ride at the recent European Dressage Championships. I’m guessing there were a bunch of 10s coming in for the King of Dressage, something for us mortals to aim towards perhaps.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Flying Cross Farm H.T. (Goshen, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]
GMHA September H.T. (South Woodstock, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Marlborough H.T (Upper Marlboro, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]
Otter Creek Fall H.T. (Wheeler, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]
The Event at Skyline (Mt Pleasant, UT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
The Fork at Tryon (Mill Spring, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Other International Events
Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (Oxfordshire, UK) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries: 4*-S] [Entries: 4*-L] [Live Stream]
FEI Eventing Championships for Juniors and Young Riders (Montelibretti, Italy) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries: Juniors] [Entries: Young Riders] [Live Stream]
Wednesday News and Reading
A new microchipping rule for USEF competitions has been approved by the US Equestrian Board of Directors. It may not be coming into play until December 2025, but it never hurts to make sure you’re ready for a rule change. Check out their fact sheets to make sure you know what you need to know. [Microchipping 101]
A proposal for permitting rising trot in dressage tests, and a real-life example of what this would mean for some riders. USEF ‘S’ dressage judge Natalie Lamping put forward the suggestion on her social media in July in order to gather support for an official proposal for change, advocating that rising trot is better for horse welfare. COTH’s Sara Bradley considers the impact that being allowed to post will have on riders, specifically those who are physically unable to sit to the trot and are therefore limited in their competitive progression. [Read Natalie’s Proposal] [See What Sara Had to Say]
The results of the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission survey into societal concerns about horses in sport are in – and it’s looking promising in terms of horse welfare. Around 66% of the 6000 respondents had noticed a rise in initiatives to improve sport horse welfare and 79% agreed that horses can enjoy a good life whilst involved in sport. Training and riding practices and tack were the areas found to be of most concern, and there was good support for an Equestrian Charter, which would ask equestrians to pledge personal responsibility for horse welfare. The results, and the EEWB’s recommendations will now be passed onto the FEI. [A Good Life for Horses]
Eventing’s Oliver Townend and show jumping’s Geoff Billington teamed up to talk about how your body language can help you clear the colored poles. From seat and subtle aids, to consistency and riding one-handed, they talk through what riders should be doing to be the support system horses need, rather than getting in their way. [Be Body Aware]
The horse and fashion worlds collide as Vogue covers a new jewelry range from Australian Olympic show jumper Edwina Tops-Alexander. Featuring glittering bits and horseshoe motifs, the collection is intended to bestow more than just fashion on its wearers, with fortitude, connection and confidence at the core of the brand, inspired by her twice Global Champions Tour winner and two-time Olympic ride Toti and his amazing comeback after being hit by a car as a three-year-old. Described by Vogue as “elegant and sports-inflected”, I’m just wondering if it’s too early to start a Christmas list. [Horse Girl Chic is Always in Fashion]
Sponsor Corner
This 20-acre horse farm has us Ocala dreamin’. The gorgeous property features a 20-stall barn, 19 paddocks, and both a jumping and dressage arena. Take a tour with this reel from Ocala Horse Properties.
Video Break
See more from Carl Hester and Fame in the team competition:
