Dante’s write-up on HorseChannel.com

Have you ever wanted to practice Grand Prix dressage or endless cross-country courses without having to find the perfect horse or tire him out?

With this idea in mind, dressage trainer Barbro Ask-Upmark worked with equine simulator designer Racewood (www.racewood.com) to develop the ultimate “horse,” Dante Maximus. He is the first of his kind to perform all three eventing disciplines of dressage, show jumping and cross-country. Racewood Equestrian Simulators, based in the UK, originally started making simulators to train jockeys, who have to pass a simulator test to become licensed in England.

Barbro owns Dante, who is currently located at Coto de Caza Equestrian Center in Orange County, Calif., where she teaches. Coto Equestrian is best known for hosting the 1984 Olympic Pentathalon, a five-sport event that includes show jumping.

Coto hosted an event in June to introduce Dante to members of the press and equine community. “Pilots and many professional athletes use simulators for skill enhancement,” says Barbro. “For sports as intricate and complex as … Keep Reading