A rider and her horse. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

The inaugural China (Tonglu) International Equestrian Open came to a close at the Tonglu Equestrian Center on May 14, featuring 44 rider-horse combinations from seven countries and regions.

The event delivered a spectacular display of equestrian talent to the audience.

As the only sport in the Asian Games where humans and animals compete together, horses in equestrian competitions require meticulous and strict management, just like athletes. How are these horses taken care of? The "Smart Equestrian System" at the Tonglu Equestrian Center serves as an "intelligent steward" for them.

"The participating horses are all from overseas, requiring stringent biosecurity management. We have established a comprehensive digital file system for the horses, where data such as blood samples, feces, and feed are presented in a calendar format in the 'Horse Management' module of the system," explained Wu Xiaoping, director of the venue's information technology group.

"The required data is also transmitted to customs through the cloud-based system, ensuring real-time monitoring of the horses' health and disease prevention by customs officials, " Wu added.

A screen shows real-time data of the equestrian venue. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

Equestrian sports take place in an open-air setting, and horses are highly sensitive to weather conditions. The quality of meteorological conditions during the competition directly impacts performance. To address this, the intelligent venue management system integrates meteorological monitoring. By installing an automated weather station at a corner of the venue, real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, air pressure, rainfall, wind direction, wind speed, and visibility within the competition arena is made possible.

In addition to horse management, the intelligent system includes five major modules, such as a venue monitoring and alarm center. The system employs a "digital twin" module audience management mechanism, which utilizes digital interfaces and virtual simulation to replicate the routes taken by spectators entering the venue. This provides a more intuitive understanding of the venue's operations, ensuring the smooth flow of operations through zoning and crowd control measures.

The integration of advanced technologies and the implementation of the "Smart Equestrian System" at the Tonglu Equestrian Center highlight the commitment to precision, safety, and efficiency in managing the horses and the overall venue. By leveraging digital solutions, the venue ensures the well-being of the horses, the seamless operation of the event, and an enhanced experience for both athletes and spectators.