THE Neue Schule Group has expanded its corporate portfolio with the launch of Avansce – an equestrian sports performance monitoring company. This new division, focusing on the development of intelligent sports training tools for equestrians, is headed by Dr Graham Cross, formerly executive technical director of Neue Schule, a producer and supplier of quality bits.

Avansce is introducing an equestrian performance monitoring and development system for horses and riders at all stages of their training. The Synchronicity system is built into the bridlework and provides an objective measure of the rhythm and consistency in the rein contact and thus a measure of progress of either rider, or horse, or both.

“Fitness trackers for most major sports are now commonplace, but we needed to find a new technique that can describe the quality of interaction between both a horse and a rider,” explains Dr Cross. “Unlike devices for activities such as running, cycling or swimming, equestrian sports must account for two independent athletes who train together as a team.”

While conducting research for The Academy – another company in the Neue Schule Group – Dr Cross noted that a reliable measure of rhythm, consistency and balance in the rein contact could be delivered using exciting hardware and software products that were simple for trainers and riders to use.

“Nobody wants to become a computer scientist to analyse their training, so we do all the maths for them,” he added. “We then present a meaningful set of data to the rider or their trainer via smartphone and web applications, and leave them to concentrate on the good stuff.”

Dr Cross will remain as non-executive technical director of Neue Schule, bringing his expertise in the physical sciences and engineering to provide easy-to-use and affordable sports technology through the Avansce brand.

Avansce will be present at the Neue Schule Group of Companies’ stand during the 2017 BETA International trade fair at the NEC in Birmingham from the 22nd to the 24th January.