GB2450887A

GB2450887A - Horse riding training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2450887A
Application number: GB0713360A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Ronald Greenwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-10
Filing date: 2007-07-10
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-10
Also published as: GB2450887B; GB0713360D0

Abstract

A horse riding training aid comprises a dummy horse 10 for seating of a rider, a screen 14 for producing a visual image to the rider which simulates the riding of a horse, sensors A to H which generate signals in response to predetermined actions taken by the rider and a computer to adjust the visual image in response to the generated signals. Also disclosed is a training aid having a base portion 12 on which the dummy horse is displaceably mounted and a motor (46, figure 3) for displacing the dummy horse 10 with respect to the base portion 12. The dummy horse 10 has a seating portion 18 and a neck portion 20 which is pivotally mounted with respect to the seating portion. A linkage (64) extends between the neck portion 20 and the base portion 12, which provides an extremely realistic movement of the dummy horse and enhances the experience for the rider.

Description

1 2450887

DESCRIPTION

HORSE RIDING TRAINING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to horse riding training apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, to jockey training apparatus.

It is necessary for jockeys to ride several times a day in order to maintain their fitness and to practise and improve riding technique. This is normally achieved by riding in several races on the same day, or during the training programme for horses in which the horses are ridden every day.

However, it is not always possible for a jockey to have sufficient rides to maintain his fitness and to practise his technique, and indeed in adverse weather conditions it may not be possible to ride at all without the risk of serious injury to the horse and/or the jockey. Moreover, it may not be possible to obtain a sufficient number of rides if the jockey wishes to concentrate on a particular aspect of his technique and it is difficult for a jockey to receive coaching on his technique while actually riding a horse.

There is also a significant problem with jockeys who are recovering from injury. Not only might it be dangerous for a recovering jockey to ride a horse when not fully fit, but it might also be necessary for a jockey to exercise the injured area more thoroughly to build up strength again. If the jockey were to ride a horse to achieve this, it is likely to be necessary to exercise on a number of horses to ensure that one particular horse is not exercised excessively simply for the benefit of the jockey.

Moreover, exercise by jockeys is essentially limited to daylight hours, which in the winter can significantly restrict the training which a jockey can undertake.

GB 2256597A discloses a horse riding training apparatus which has become widely used. It is an object of the present invention to provide the horse riding training apparatus which is even more realistic.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horse riding training aid comprising a dummy horse for seating of a rider, display means for producing a visual image to the rider which simulates the riding of a horse, sensor means adapted to generate signals in response to predetermined actions taken by the rider and control means adapted to adjust the visual image in response to the generated signals.

This provides greatly increased realism to a user of the training aid, as the rider's actions will result in visible changes to the displayed image.

Preferably the aid further comprises a base and powered means for displacing the dummy horse with respect to the base, the control means being adapted to control the displacement of the dummy horse with respect to the base in response to the generated signals.

This increases the realism still further, as the rider's actions also result in changes to the movement of the training aid.

Preferably, the powered means for displacing the dummy horse comprises an electric motor.

Preferably, the sensor means comprises pressure sensing means.

For example, the pressure sensing means may comprise one or more of an area adapted to be struck by a rider's whip, an area adapted to be touched by a rider's hand and an area adapted to generate a signal in response to the rider sitting down on the dummy horse.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horse riding training aid comprising a base portion, a dummy horse displaceably mounted on the base portion, and powered means for displacing the dummy horse with respect to the base portion, the dummy horse comprising a seating portion and a neck portion which is pivotally mounted with respect to the seating portion, the training aid further comprising a linkage extending between the neck portion and the base portion.

This produces an extremely realistic movement of the dummy horse and enhances the experience for the rider.

Preferably, the linkage comprises a link member which is rigidly connected to the neck portion and pivotally connected to the base portion.

Preferably, the link member is pivotally connected to a further link member which is in turn pivotally connected to the base portion.

In one embodiment, the dummy horse is pivotable with respect to the base portion about an axis by shifting of the rider's weight, the linkage also being pivotally mounted with respect to the base about the same pivotal axis.

The pivotable axis is preferably horizontal and also preferably extends in a longitudinal direction.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of horse riding training apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 2a, b and c are the side, rear and top views respectively of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Figs. 3a, b and c are.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a horse riding training apparatus comprises a simulated horse 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "dummy horse") located on a base 12. A large projection screen 14 is located in front of the dummy horse, onto which images are projected from a projector 16 located at the front of the base 12.

The dummy horse comprises a body portion 18, a neck portion 20 and a head portion 22 at one end of the neck portion. The body portion 18 and neck portion 20 are mounted on an upper frame UF comprising upper, middle and lower longitudinally-extending frame members 24a, 24b, 24c interconnected by upright front and rear frame members 26a, 26b on each side and laterally-extending upper and lower frame members 28a, 28b.

The upper frame is movably mounted on a base frame BF comprising two longitudinally extending parallel lower frame members 32 from which two parallel forward frame members 34 and two parallel rear frame members 36 extend perpendicularly. A reinforcing member 40 extends between the forward and rear upwardly extending base frame member, parallel to the lower frame member. The projector 16 is located at the front end of the base frame BF and the portion of the base frame rearwardly of the projector is enclosed by a skirt portion 44.

As best shown in Fig. 2a, a motor 46 is mounted at the rear of the base frame portion. The output of the motor 46 is connected to a crank arm 48 whose opposite end is pivotally mounted to a pivot point 50 located at the rearmost portion of the upper frame UF. The lower portion of the upper frame UF is pivotally mounted at pivot 52 to a further crank arm 54 which extends generally vertically from a pivot point 56 connected to the base frame at a position adjacent to the upper end of the front upright base frame member 34. The rotation of the electric motor 46 thereby causes the upper frame UF and the body portion 18 mounted on it to move in a manner which simulates very realistically the motion of a horse.

The neck portion 20 is pivotally mounted at pivot 58 to a forwardly-extending frame member 60 extending between the upper and middle longitudinally-extending frame portions 24a, 24b of the upper frame. This allows the neck to pivot up and down, around a horizontal axis. The head portion 22 of the dummy horse is also pivotally connected to the neck portion in two ways. Firstly, the head is pivotally mounted at pivot 62 whose pivotal axis extends generally horizontally and allows the head to pivot in an up and down motion. A link arm 64 also extends between the upper frame portion UF, at a point immediately below the pivot point of the neck and at a point on the head adjacent to the head pivot. By virtue of this linkage, the head is caused to pivot in the opposite direction to the neck, which simulates the motion of a horse more accurately.

As indicated in Fig. 3c, the head can also be pivoted left and right (as indicated by arrow 66) around a generally vertically-extending axis by virtue of the reins 68 connected to the head portion 22.

As indicated in Fig. 2a, the neck portion is also directly connected to the base frame by means of a linkage L. The linkage L comprises an upper rigid link member 70 one end of which is fixedly connected at a bearing member 72 to one end of an intermediate link member 74, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to a crank arm 76 whose opposite end is pivotally mounted to the base frame BF. Therefore, as the motor 46 rotates, the provision of the connecting linkage L moves the neck portion 20 in a very realistic manner. Movement of the neck portion 20 in turn results in pivoting of the head portion 22 via the linkage 64, as has been explained previously.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3b, the dummy horse 10 can rock from side-to-side about a horizontally and longitudinally extending pivotal axis X. This is achieved by interposing springs 78 between the upper frame UF and base frame BF. The springs are normally selected to be weak, so that a rider has to make an effort to keep balance. The degree of effort required to keep balance can be adjusted by means of one or more adjustable hydraulic dampers 80 extending between the upper frame UF and the base frame BF. Limit switches 82 are also provided to provide a signal to indicate when the dummy horse has pivoted excessively to one side or the other.

The bearing member 72 is aligned with the longitudinally-extending axis X about which the dummy horse 10 can rock from side-to-side. This allows the linkage L to accommodate side-to-side movement of the upper frame UF and dummy horse 10 with respect to the base frame BF during movement of the dummy horse from side-to-side as explained previously.

It will also be observed that the horse is provided with many different sensors and switches as follows.

Firstly, an on/off switch A is provided at the front shoulder portion of the dummy horse.

Secondly, four separate pressure sensors B1 to B4 are provided on the neck portion 20, extending along the length of the neck portion. These are used to control the speed of the horse, as will be explained.

A bit sensor C is also provided in the reins of the horse (only one sensor C is visible in the drawings) to provide steering control to left and right.

As explained previously, the limit switches 82 act as sensors for detecting excessive leaning of the body portion to the left and the right.

Rear and front whipping sensor portions E, F are also provided on both sides of the dummy horse and a sensor H is also provided beneath the saddle.

In addition, the motor 46 is provided with a rotation sensor.

The outputs of all of the sensors are fed to a computer illustrated schematically at C located on the base frame. The computer C is adapted to generate images which are projected onto the screen via the projector 16, the images being modified in accordance with the signals received from the various sensors.

For example, the speed of the horse may be increased by progressively touching sensors Bi, B2, B3 and B4 and may be decreased by puling on the reins which actuates the bit sensor C. In each case, the speed of the motor 46 and therefore the speed of movement of the dummy horse 10 will be adjusted accordingly, and the computer C will also adjust the image projected on to the screen accordingly.

Similarly, if one of the limit switches 82 is actuated at an inappropriate time, for example when the projected image suggests that the horse should be ridden in a straight line, the computer C will slow the rotational speed of the motor 46 and adjust the projected image accordingly. Similarly, if the sensor H beneath the saddle is actuated, which should not occur during the course of a race as it indicates the jockey is sitting, the speed of the motor will be reduced and the projected image adjusted accordingly.

The rear and front whipping sensors E, F, are also adapted to generate signals which, if generated at the appropriate intervals will cause an increase in the motor speed 46 and modify the projected image accordingly. If the computer C determines that the whipping sensors are actuated excessively (e.g. more than one whipping action per three strides), the computer C may slow the motor 46 and adjust the projected image.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment.

Claims

1. A horse riding training aid comprising a dummy horse for seating of a rider, display means for producing a visual image to the rider which simulates the riding of a horse, sensor means adapted to generate signals in response to predetermined actions taken by the rider and control means adapted to adjust the visual image in response to the generated signals.

2. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base and powered means for displacing the dummy horse with respect to the base, the control means being adapted to control the displacement of the dummy horse with respect to the base in response to the generated signals.

3. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the powered means for displacing the dummy horse comprises an electric motor.

4. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises pressure sensing means.

5. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure sensing means comprises one or more of an area adapted to be struck by a rider's whip, an area adapted to be touched by a rider's hand and an area adapted to generate a signal in response to the rider sitting down on the dummy horse.

6. A horse riding training aid comprising a base portion, a dummy horse displaceably mounted on the base portion, and powered means for displacing the dummy horse with respect to the base portion, the dummy horse comprising a seating portion and a neck portion which is pivotally mounted with respect to the seating portion, the training aid further comprising a linkage extending between the neck portion and the base portion.

7. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein the linkage comprises a link member which is rigidly connected to the neck portion and pivotally connected to the base portion.

8. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein the link member is pivotally connected to a further link member which is in turn pivotally connected to the base portion.

9. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the dummy horse is pivotable with respect to the base portion about an axis by shifting of the rider's weight, the linkage also being pivotally mounted with respect to the base about the same pivotal axis.

10. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pivotal axis is substantially horizontal.

11. A horse riding training aid as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pivotal axis extends in a longitudinal direction.

12. A horse riding training aid substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

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