This year’s Chalmers fence measures the force of the jumps

For the third year in a row, Gothenburg Horse Show is working with Chalmers University of Technology to determine the ultimate jump trajectory for horses. This year, they will be measuring the force of the horses’ take-off and landing - which is something that has never been done before.

“We are continuing to gather new information on how horses jump, findings that challenges the traditional image of the jump,” Magnus Karlsteen says, Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology.

This year Chalmer's students will be focusing on the force of the jump in order to develop an even better understanding of how horses are jumping. By establishing sensors under the ground before and after the fence, Chalmer's will be able to measure the force of the horse in take-off and landing. 

“We do not know how much force a horse employs before and after a fence, no one in the world has measured this before,” Karlsteen says.

Just like previous years, the audience will see the results directly on the screens in the arena. The findings will be used as additional information which will allow Chalmer's students to continue analysing jump trajectories. 

“It is absolutely in the interest of Gothenburg Horse Show to support the development of technological innovations that will improve horses’ endurance,”  Tomas Torgersen says, show director of Gothenburg Horse Show.

The Chalmers fence project is the work of Chalmer's students who are using their expertise in technology to develop unique measuring systems focusing on the health and well-being of horses. Many of the students are pleased to be able to combine a passion for horses with their studies. 

“It is an opportunity you get when you study at Chalmers, being able to combine your interests with your studies,” Karlsteen says.

The EuroHorse equestrian fair on 22–25 February, which will take place during Gothenburg Horse Show, will feature jumping obstacles and other equestrian research projects. Chalmers University of Technology is a national sports university. For more information on Chalmers’ equestrian projects, visit: https://www.chalmers.se/en/centres/sportstechnology/research/equestrian-sports/Pages/default.aspx

Gothenburg Horse Show is being arranged on 20–25 February 2018 by Got Event, the event and arena company of the City of Gothenburg, which operates ten arenas in the city, including Scandinavium.

For more information:
Tomas Torgersen, Show director of Gothenburg Horse Show, 
+46-031-368 44 53,
 tomas.torgersen@gotevent.se 

Magnus Karlsteen, Associate Professor in Physics, responsible for equestrian sports at Chalmers University of Technology,
+46-73-079 42 47,
magnus.karlsteen@chalmers.se 
www.chalmers.se