Experience what it’s like to compete in a professional horse race.
Those who witness the legendary Breeders‘ Cup The World Championship, an annual thoroughbred horse racing series, will have the rare opportunity to step into the shoes of a professional jockey using the power of VR technology.
First reported by The Blood Horse, The Breeders’ Cup JockeyCam VR Experience was developed by film house Equine Productions, the same company behind the JockeyCam, a lightweight transmitter worn by jockeys that allows viewers to experience races from the athlete’s perspective. The JockeyCam VR experience takes things to the next level with an immersive 360 degree view.
“I think that’s the closest thing we can get (to give) to someone who isn’t into sports or has nothing to do with sports, the feeling of what it is. than riding in a real race”, said co-founder of the company Nathan Horrocks.
Normally, the experience has you sitting on a unique bench designed to simulate a racing saddle. Unfortunately, this specialized seat will not be included in The Breeders’ Cup JockeyCam VR Experience in Keenland.
The experience itself features 360 degree footage of a choreographed race. As such, you cannot interact with the virtual world. Still, if you’re a horse racing fan and find yourself in Keeneland this week, you might want to check it out.
“They were able to let the horses go and then whoever wins from then on wins the race,” Horrocks said. “It felt like a real race in the last two and a half stages, but we just wanted to make sure they stayed in a group going down the hill to give the experience the best chance of succeeding and help the public to feel what it is. I like to participate in a real race.
The Breeders’ Cup JockeyCam VR Experience will be available to try out at the Breeders’ Cup November 4-5. You can also visit the Breeders’ Cup website or download the mobile app to access the 360 degree live cameras located at the paddock and at the front of the track. There will also be 14 cameras located atop Keeneland’s roof as well as cameras in 14 riding saddles.
For more information, visit Breederscup.com.
In addition to virtual reality, we’ve also started to see augmented reality (AR) technology making its way onto the runway.
Last month we reported a new AR system compatible with “horse racing tracks everywhere”. Visitors can use their smartphones to project virtual content onto the real world for real-time access to important racing information.
Feature image credit: Anne M. Eberhardt