Blenheim Horse Trials introduces smart phone course walk

Visitors to the Fidelity Blenheim Horse Trials (6-9 September) will be able to hear what course-designer, Eric Winter, and top riders think about the cross-country course thanks to quick response (QR) mobile phone technology.

QR codes will be incorporated onto the fence name boards of all fences, which will allow spectators with smart phones to scan the codes and hear experts talk about each obstacle and how it should be ridden.

The turn-around time for making the videos will be tight as the ground jury will only approve the final track a few hours before it is officially open on 5 September. But event director Mandy Hervieu is confident that the task is achievable and that it will be of great benefit to visitors.

She said:”QR codes are frequently used on products, but we thought there was a great opportunity to use them to give spectators more information on the fences.

“Traditionally, course walks with riders have been very popular, but these are not always at a time that is convenient. QR codes enable anyone with a smart phone to benefit from a ‘course walk’ and hear more about the fences.”

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