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AF1: i-Ride sponsors Asian Equestrian Association
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden i-Ride has entered into a long-term sponsorship arrangement with the Asian Equestrian Association (AEA) that will see the massage chair specialists providing training tools for FEI-AEA Riding Instructor Trainees.
Last year Equestrian.Com.My broke the controversial news that three levels of instructor’s licenses were available for sale, on-line from AEA. In response to criticism that no practical training is necessary for someone to be licensed as an FEI-AEA Instructor, the AEA is now using the i-Ride to simulate actual horse riding.
i-Ride has now signed a 4 year agreement with the AEA to provide saddle-like massage chairs to AEA’s trainee instructors.
Four specialized i-Rides have been developed to cover the main disciplines:
The i-Jump will be used to train potential jumping instructors. The saddle is a forward cut jumping seat, with small front and rear blocks. It allows for a shorter stirrup length. The movement of the i-Jump has been described as “an engaged canter, coming from behind.” It simulates 350 meters per minute, 375 m/m and 400 m/m for those intending to teach Grand Prix riders.
The size of the jumping motion can also be regulated from 80 cm through 160 cm. The Puissance mode should only be used by experienced i-Jumpers. The i-Jump has a “REFUSE” option that trains riders to expect the unexpected.
Removable draw-reins are optional.
The i-SitVeryDeep is the model that will be used to train dressage riders. It offers an extra deep seat, wide gullet to simulate big warmbloods, large wedge shaped blocks in front and velcro assisted blocks at the back to strap down the rider’s long loose leg. It has a really bouncy sitting trot and a canter that has been described by Marionette Withagiers as “very good for getting behind the motion”. In addition it is said to assist in passing motion.
Trainee dressage instructors who have never ridden a real horse before can experience the wonders of piaffe and passage with the i-SitVeryDeep. Neither will they have to worry about dealers delivering the wrong horse.
The i-SitVeryDeep comes with built-in Rollkur reins.
The Eventing model is known as the i-Fall, as eventing riders eventually do. It is much like the i-Jump but with much bigger blocks front rear and center. In addition to the “REFUSE” button, the i-Fall has been fitted with two additional buttons: “BOLTED” and “EJECT”.
Long distance riders will sympathise with the i-YaMyBumHurts. This Endurance model has been imbued with an Arabian temperament. It does not stand still once your foot is in the stirrup. While it can go long distances, it can't jump very high.
i-YaMyBumHurts has been adapted to perpetual trot for Malaysian purposes. The Malaysian version is prone to heat-stroke unless used at night. However the stamina of the machine can also be improved with a series of highly priced metal-bolic injections of HGH (High Grade Horsemanure).
In what was taken as a direct endorsement of the i-Ride, FEI President Princess Haya was quoted as saying “i-Ride quite a lot. In fact i-Ride almost every day.”
by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden