Hartpury Equine provided the setting for an international equine sports science summit on Sunday 18 October, that featured leading researchers, industry professionals and eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy.
Organised and delivered by Centaur Biomechanics, the Equine Sports Science Summit welcomed delegates from across the UK, Europe and further afield, including the USA, Australia and Zimbabwe.
The event marked the 20th anniversary of Centaur Biomechanics, founded by Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire, who is also Associate Professor in Biomechanics (Research) at Hartpury University.
Bringing together internationally recognised speakers, researchers, horses and riders, the summit focused on translating scientific research into practical approaches that can benefit horse welfare, rider performance and professional practice.
A highlight of the day was the involvement of Australian equestrian Andrew Hoy, an eight-time Olympian and multiple Olympic medallist, who interacted with delegates, staff and students during the event.
Hartpury academics also contributed to the programme, with Dr Vicki Walker joining Dr Rachel Murray for a session sharing research into pole work and its practical applications.
Dr Vicki Walker, Senior Lecturer at Hartpury University said: “Our research has consistently shown that raised poles place greater biomechanical demands on horses than ground poles. This highlights the importance of establishing good movement patterns over ground poles before progressing to raised poles. Through our session, we wanted to demonstrate how observing aspects of movement, such as limb and pelvis motion, can help owners make informed decisions about pole placement and progression, ensuring exercises are appropriate for their horse.”
The event provided opportunities for Hartpury staff and students to engage with leading figures in equine sport and research, while gaining insight into how scientific findings can be applied in real-world equestrian settings.
Jo Winfield, Hayley Donovan and Christy Maddock were among those supporting the day, alongside a group of Hartpury students who volunteered their time.
Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire, founder of Centaur Biomechanics and Associate Professor in Biomechanics (Research) at Hartpury University, said: "Research is at the heart of everything we do at Centaur Biomechanics, but it's essential that the knowledge we generate is shared and translated into practical approaches that can make a real difference.
"We wanted to move beyond screens and presentations, bringing research to life through live horses, riders and demonstrations, and giving delegates evidence-based information they could take away and apply in their own practice.
"Celebrating 20 years of Centaur Biomechanics by bringing together world-renowned speakers, researchers and equestrian professionals was a fantastic milestone, and Hartpury provided an excellent setting for the occasion."
The summit highlighted the value of bringing research and industry expertise together, with Hartpury Equine's specialist facilities providing a venue for live demonstrations and knowledge sharing.
Image credit: Granite Lens Media
