The research team led by Dr David Marlin (Animalweb) and Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock (UCLAN) completed their first study day at Tweseldown on Saturday, 6th July. David and Heather were assisted by Leah Crook (Myerscough College) and Olivia Fisher.
The study involves volunteer riders wearing a Catapult sensor, the same sensors used in professional sports such as rugby, football, cricket and athletics, that tracks their speed and position around the cross-country in order to understand how speed and strategy might influence performance, run-outs, refusals and falls.
The full study team consists of Dr Jane Williams (Hartpury University), Dr Vicky Lewis (Hartpury University) and Dr Euan Bennet (Glasgow University). The team were also assisted by vet Mark Lucey who mapped the course going.
Despite the difficult conditions of high winds and heavy showers, the team managed to collect 40 cross-country rounds in the BE classes. An example of the data from one round is shown below.
Dr David Marlin said, “A massive thank you to all the riders who volunteered and to Tweseldown organiser Rachael Faulkner and her team for being so helpful and accommodating us at a very busy event”.
The next event is little Downham Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August. If you are planning to enter any BE classes and would be interested in taking part please contact us on hello@drdavidmarlin.co.uk. We will send you more information https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Eventing_Study_Recruit1
