How Technology is Transforming the Way We Learn to Ride /
Carl Hedin - Professional rider and trainer
2020 will infamously be engraved into our minds. Everyone’s reality changed and we all had to learn to adapt to our new “normal”. Two years later that normal is remote jobs, online classes, and Zoom meetings. We have realised that not everything needs to be done in-person and also that doing things remotely can be just as efficient. In an industry and sport like ours – which prides itself on tradition and culture – it didn’t seem like this new remote style would bleed into it. However, businesses like Ridesum are breaking down some of these barriers and bringing the remote way of life to the equestrian world.
Ridesum was created in 2021 amidst the global pandemic. It’s an app that allows trainers to teach lessons remotely. It now has users in over 90 countries, and it connects them to trainers from over 40 countries who teach in all kinds of disciplines. Through the app, the trainer and rider can meet for a lesson regardless of geographical location. The app also helps trainers with an easy booking, payment, and invoicing system, which keeps their business organised and running efficiently.
For the rider, they have an easy way to book their digital lessons and connect with many different trainers around the world. Additionally, depending on the subscription, the rider can record their lesson and continue to get feedback on it even after the lesson ends. This app is making lessons both more accessible to those who live in areas where there may not be a lot of trainers available and also less expensive.
Remote training allows for riders to find a trainer that best suits their needs and learning style without physical location being a problem. Unites States (U.S.) eventer, Ema Klugman, shared her experience on the topic through an article in Eventing Nation, “Does Remote Coaching Work?”. Her dressage trainer decamps to warmer areas of the country for winter and sets up a camera at her home base arena to continue teaching lessons remotely. Klugman writes about how she was sceptical of remote lessons at first, but now feels that she is learning just as effectively as if her trainer was in person.
It is common in the U.S. for trainers to decamp to an area of the country that is warmer for the winter season, leaving some students behind. With remote learning these students could continue their training without making the financial commitment of moving themselves and their horses to another area of the country for winter. This switch to remote learning could be just what our industry needs to make this sport more inclusive.
Technology has grown an immense amount and it is about time the horse industry started to use it instead of fearing it. Change is not bad and throwing out old-fashioned notions and introducing remote training can increase the amount of people in our sport. In person training will always be around, but the opportunities that can arise from remote training are worth giving it a try.
EQuerry / Co are in full support of embracing new digital developments which can help grow our industry, while also celebrating all the wonderful traditions we have. If you would like to learn more about similar topics, we are constantly exploring the new things going on in our industry on our Instagram page and on our Blog.
