Although it is still relatively rare to see an eventer wearing a helmet cam during competition, we are beginning to see
the devices more and more on the cross country course. Although helmet cams have been worn by such established eventers as Mark Todd, Peter Atkins, and Doug Payne, a quick review of videos on YouTube, shows that there is a disproportionate amount of helmet cam use among Novice riders. As a powerful training tool, it makes sense for helmet cams to be used among young riders, since it allows them to review what they have accomplished from their own perspective instead of that of a third-person observer. As a fairly new technology that hasn't seen very much adoption within the eventing community in general, however, we would like to briefly discuss several reasons why eventers of all levels might want to consider the investment.
1. The Obvious
Helmet cam footage is fun to watch. Not only do those who wear a helmet cam appreciate the ability to go back and re-live an event, evaluating their performance in order to build upon strengths and improve upon weaknesses, but other eventers, of all skill levels and abilities, enjoy looking at the footage put up by others in order to draw inspiration and experience from a community of supportive others. For fans, this kind of footage is exciting, since it gives them the chance to "ride along" with experienced riders, gaining a perspective that they never could have achieved previously.
2. The Advantages of Audio
Helmet Cam footage of Elisa Wallace riding As You Wish at the Pine Top Farm Horse Trials (October 8-9, 2011)
When people think of the helmet cam, they have a tendency to emphasize the visual aspect, the ability to SEE what the rider sees. But the aural component is arguably as important. The howling of wind rushing past a microphone is a helpful indicator of speed, as well as an indicator of wind velocity and direction, aspects that are not always easily seen. From helmet cam footage, we also get a sense of the horse's breathing and stride, as well as the rider's vocal cues. In this, the helmet cam can be a crucial way of explaining otherwise strange behavior. As an example, during the Poplar Place Horse Trials in May 2011, Elisa's horse misinterpreted a click (a sound riders use to encourage a horse to go forward) and in doing so, left out a stride, jumping prematurely onto an Irish Bank out of the water, which resulted in a fall and an elimination. It was because of the helmet cam footage that she discovered the error. As a result of the helmet cam, a mystery was solved and a lesson learned. (As a side note, with that particular horse, Elisa doesn't click when approaching up-banks anymore!)
3. Helmet Cams Look Cool
Okay, so the state of the technology is not yet at a place where the design of the helmet cam makes it totally inconspicuous. This is not a bad thing. When an eventer shows up wearing a helmet cam, it provides a cue to the audience, judges, and other competitors that the rider is recording footage that will be available online shortly. In other words, they advertise the fact that the rider has an online presence, and function as an invitation addressed to the audience to come and ride along.
4. Walking the Course
Helmet Cam footage of Elisa Wallace riding Michelin Man at the Pine Top Farm Horse Trials (October 8-9, 2011)
This advantage is more speculative, a possible use that we have yet to see anyone try, but that is potentially quite powerful. The helmet cam is obviously helpful during a competition, and as a way of looking back, but why not use it as a way of looking forward? Why not use it to assist you in preparing for a cross country run? What we mean is this: the importance of a course walk cannot be overemphasized, with competitors walking the course one, two, and maybe even three times before their actual run. After the course walk, competitors may often be seen muttering to themselves as they replay their walk, mapping it onto their expectations of the ride. Why not, then, wear a helmet cam during the course walk? Doing so would allow a rider to re-walk the course as many times as they would like, while at the same time listening to notes about the course (distances, time markers, etc) as dictated during the original walk. Potentially a powerful aid to memory, the ability to replay course-walk footage might go a long way in ensuring that the course becomes second-nature in advance of reaching the start box.
5. Instant Replay
Helmet Cam footage of Elisa Wallace riding Flight Worthy at the Pine Top Farm Horse Trials (October 8-9, 2011)
The cross country course literally flies by during competition. Upon completion of the course, it is nice to go back and review your run while it is still fresh (and as a way of staying occupied as you await the scores). If you have access to a laptop, then you can easily plug in the helmet cam and view the footage right away. Elisa Wallace, however, uses a Stealth HD170 by Drift Innovations, which has a built-in LCD screen that allows her to review her run immediately after the fact, and without the need for any additional technology.
The helmet cam is still in the early stages of adoption in the eventing world, and so is considered in many ways a novelty. With respect to its actual use value for riders and trainers, the jury is still out. For many, the helmet cam might seem a toy. For others, it might seem like a distraction, since it takes effort (even if minimal) to set up the camera and to produce the footage. From our experience, however, the helmet cam has proven to be a valuable tool, with advantages (both actual and potential) that more than out-weight the minimal costs in effort and investment.
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As a powerful training tool, it makes sense for helmet cams to be used among young riders, since it allows them to review what they have accomplished from their own perspective instead of that of a third-person observer. As a fairly new technology that hasn't seen very much adoption within the eventing community in general, however, we would like to briefly discuss several reasons why eventers of all levels might want to consider the investment.