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What do Riders Want from an Arena Surface?
Author(s) -
Holt D,
Northrop A,
Martin J,
Daggett A,
Hobbs S
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.12267_126
Subject(s) - favourite , traction (geology) , respondent , competition (biology) , advertising , psychology , mathematics , social psychology , engineering , business , political science , theology , philosophy , biology , mechanical engineering , ecology , law
Rider preference appears to be a large factor determining the selection of an arena surface. The negative reaction of the competitors to the surface used for the O lympic test event in 2011 was sufficient to initiate a change in the surface composition used for the O lympic equestrian events in 2012. The aim of this study was to quantify surface characteristics that riders perceive to be the most favoured in a training and competition venue. Methods A survey was used to ask riders (n = 342) to describe characteristics that they liked about their favourite venue across N orthern E ngland. The two most popular surfaces (both well‐established wax, sand and fibre) were harrowed before being measured at several plots. An O rono B iomechanical S urface T ester and traction device were used to compare the functional properties of the two surfaces. The respondent's reasons for choosing their favourite venue were associated with specific surface measures including peak load, rebound timing and traction. A M ann‐ W hitney U test was used to establish differences between venues. Results The favourite venue was selected because the surface was not too deep or slippery and provided good support, spring and cushioning. The peak load (P = 0.002) and traction (P>0.001) were significantly higher on the favourite surface compared to the second favourite (18.99 kN vs.17.29 kN and 20 Nm vs.19 N m respectively). Conclusions Higher peak load values may be responsible for supporting a good performance and higher traction values could explain why riders felt that the surface was not ‘slippery’, although this may have negative effects on the horse. The results suggest there is potential to quantify rider preferences. Ethical Animal Research The study was approved by an ethics committee at the U niversity of C entral L ancashire (reference number: BuSH 057). Sources of funding: A student internship was awarded by the U niversity of C entral L ancashire. Competing interests: none.