Vienna’s first and only horse-riding simulator set up in Seestadt.
Douglas, as the horse-riding simulator is known, is one of the most advanced training aids ever developed for equestrianism. It can help professional riders and ambitious beginners to improve their technique. The horse 2.0 features the latest technologies in equestrian sports.
Doris Trummer, the owner of the only horse-riding simulator in Vienna, gives us an insight into her business idea and why she chose to settle her company in Seestadt Aspern.
Why did you choose Seestadt as the location for your business?
Finding Seestadt Aspern as our location was unbelievably good fortune. Our location is around 100m from the U2 station, in a brilliant location and in a very up-and-coming part of the city, which is actually a remarkable project in and of itself. I expect many more people to move to Seestadt Aspern in the future.
Where did the idea for your business come from? Is there a story behind it?
There’s always a story behind an outlandish business idea. Mine came about from the passion I’ve had for horse riding since my childhood, the search for solutions to physical problems, and the passion for energetic work and natural healing. It was also shaped by a major personal crisis last year that left me quite shaken. In truth, my husband is the person behind the idea, because it was his research that fuelled it. The entire project then took on a life of its own and everything came together unbelievably quickly. We viewed the site on 23 December 2021 and received approval from the Seestadt planning authorities in January 2022. We immediately set about planning and constructing the premises, procuring the simulator and organising its transport. I officially opened Reitsimulator Wien in June 2022.
Who is the riding simulator aimed at and how authentically does it recreate the feeling of riding a horse?
The riding simulator is suitable for professionals and beginners alike. It can serve as an Advanced to Intermediate II level dressage horse as well as a jumper and an eventing horse (with jumps on a showjumping or offroad course of 60cm to 120cm in height). It has three basic paces in three tempi and reacts to classical riding instructions.
It is equipped with sensors on the reins, legs and back, and can provide real-time feedback on rider input and balance. In addition, it has an automatic analysis program that takes two minutes to analyse the rider’s position and input in all paces before producing graphical displays. This allows riders work on specific problems and use targeted training to compensate for physical imbalances.
It was originally developed as a high-tech training device for professional equestrians looking to concentrate on instructions, physical fitness or specific aspects of riding, or who wanted to make a swift return to elite sport after accidents.
Yet, Douglas can do so much more. He can lighten the workload of training horses and help inexperienced riders to take their first steps. Thanks to his three-dimensional movement patterns, this Horse 2.0 can improve riders’ physical mobility and coordination, and in further consequence counter back problems. In addition, he helps nervous riders to gain confidence. You can train for hours (if your fitness allows) on the same exercise.
For more details, visit www.reitsimulator.wien
Services offered by the Vienna Business Agency
- Supported through the Local Supply and Digitization program /19 – 21, extended to 2023
Business
Reitsimulator Wien
Sonnenallee 126/2
A-1220 Vienna
Date: 07/2022