Ever Wonder What It’s Like to be a Jockey, Perched Upon a Race Horse in Tight Quarters with the Competition Barreling Down the Home Stretch at 40 Mph?

Tucson, AZ, July 16, 2011 --(PR.com)-- On July 21st, Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia will provide this cutting-edge experience of horse racing innovation using the EquiSight-GoPro helmet camera system during Thursday’s live racing card. The camera system allows viewers a first-person perspective of the racing action, putting the fan in the middle of the heart-pounding excitement. Colonial Downs' thoroughbred racing season is run predominately on grass so be prepared to get some turf in your face.

The EquiSight camera system is being developed as a project by David P. Matt and Kenleigh Hobby, who are currently students at the University of Arizona. The two seniors are enrolled in the Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) and the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI). AzCI is a business incubator designed to meet the needs of developing technology companies and the RTIP is a one-of-a-kind program that has educated some of the most successful equine professionals, including Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher.

The jockey cam demo day on Thursday will illustrate how EquiSight intends to enhance the viewership of the sport to its fans and racing officials. The video presentation of horse racing has been unsuccessful in captivating audiences, especially when compared to other mainstream sports. It is a two-dimensional experience, reminiscent of the binocular era that fails to use technology to improve the fan’s connection. By allowing viewers to “Ride the Race” from the jockey's point of view, people will be able to feel the speed, beauty, and intensity that is the “Sport of Kings.”

While the technology is still in development, the goal of EquiSight is to give fans a real-time “Virtual Presence,” meaning you can be sitting on your couch at home with your computer and simultaneously, be riding along in the Kentucky Derby. Matt and Hobby will showcase their project at the 38th annual Racing and Gaming Symposium, December 5-8th in Tucson, AZ.

If you would like to see the EquiSight-GoPro camera system in action, tune in and watch the Colonial Downs race card on Thursday July 21st, first post at 5pm EST. The jockey cam race footage will be shown on the replays following each selected “Jockey Cam” race.

For more information about the event please contact Kenleigh Hobby at (520) 304-7451. Visit their website at www.equisight.com and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube at EquiSight.

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