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The equine world is about to go hi-tech with the introduction of the world’s first made-to-measure riding saddle that connects to a mobile phone to rein in the advantages of modern technology.
The ‘world’s smartest saddle’ has been unveiled by Voltaire Design, founded by a young Frenchman six years ago, a company which has quickly grown from three people working in a garage to more than 70 craftsmen collaborating at a modern workshop.
They are known for their unique blue stripe pattern on the underside of all Voltaire saddle trees which were inspired by the iconic red sole of Louboutin designer high heels.
“Blue Wing is the world’s first smart saddle,” said Brice Goguet. “This is the first-ever connected saddle. It can tell you for how long you rode your horse, how much time you spent walking, trotting, cantering. It can tell you the length of your horse’s stride and the course you jumped.
“If your horse goes more to the left or right, it will track that. It can tell you the speed you went and after you ride the same horse five times, it will recognise your horse immediately.
“Blue Wing gathers and sends data to a smartphone, putting all this information into the rider’s hand, immediately. The sport is getting more technical, horse management more detailed, every little facet counts, and really, industry sources ask, when you think about it, why hasn’t there been a smart saddle until now?”
With a price tag starting at around BD2,600, whether it takes off is another matter. Oliver Walter, a senior judge and organiser of dressage events for the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation, better known by its acronym BREEF, is not totally convinced.
“It may be useful for long distance endurance events, which is particularly popular here, and maybe even cross-country and for those carrying out a specialised task like measuring gait,” he said. “But most trainers and experienced riders know their horses and don’t need an app to tell them what’s right in front of them.
“And to be honest, unless the price is right, horse people will not pay that sort of money!”
Top branded saddles cost around BD1,500 but most popular adjustable saddles fetch between BD700 and BD800, with different shapes and sizes depending on the discipline, explained Oliver, 26, a British expat from Kent, who moved to the kingdom last September and now manages the popular Dilmun Stables.
Voltaire has the unfailing support of American’s leading lady rider Beezie Madden, who became a partner rider almost as soon as the company was started. It is hoping the techy saddle will take off Stateside first and spread in popularity across to the Gulf States.
