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 miles an hour?

TUCSON, AZ— On July 21, Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia will provide a 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, students at the University of Arizona. The two seniors are enrolled in the Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), a one-of-a-kind program that has educated some of the most successful equine professionals, including Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher.

Matt and Hobby are developing their company at the business incubator, Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI). AzCI provides structured business development for technology companies. It works with entrepreneurs to move technology through the commercialization process.

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. 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."

The goal of EquiSight is to give fans a real-time "Virtual Presence" allowing horseracing fans to ride along in the Kentucky Derby from the comfort of their couch. Matt and Hobby will showcase their project at the 38th annual Racing and Gaming Symposium, December 5-8 in Tucson, AZ.

To see the EquiSight-GoPro camera system in action, tune in and watch the Colonial Downs race card on Thursday, July 21, 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 our website at www.equisight.com and don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube at EquiSight!

EquiSight still shots are attached and video footage can be viewed from www.equisight.com

NEWS RELEASE
July 14, 2011

Media inquiries

Contact for EquiSight:
Kenleigh Hobby ● Co-founder ● (520) 304-7451 ●  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact for Colonial Downs:
Darrell Wood ● Director of Marketing ●  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  ● (804) 966-7223 ext. 1097