About me:
My name is Kersti Tael, I am a certified riding coach and dressage judge. My dream and mission is to contribute to the development of Estonian equestrian sports. So far, I have done it through coaching and judging, and over the past year, with wonderful partners, also through online training. I am the leader of the training platform Conscious Rider (Teadlik Ratsanik) - we now have more than 700 members on Facebook, as well as a website where you can buy some of the trainings for review.
Now I am working on a new and exciting project. I want to bring a horse simulator, which could help our riders, trainers and horses, to Estonia!
About the simulator:
The horse simulator is almost like a real horse, but it is tireless, does not get startled or hesitate, and is extremely intelligent and precise - it only responds to correct riding techniques and helps to improve the rider's balance and feel.
Anyone who is interested can try horse riding. Maybe you've never ridden and are even a little scared? In this case, the simulator can give you a safe experience and give you an idea of what riding is all about. This can provide a good basis for continuing your journey with a real horse in the future.
If you are just starting out, the simulator will help you find and train your balance and teach you the correct way to guide your horse. The feedback from the simulator can help improve the stance and balance of experienced riders or professionals aswell, thus making you a more skilled and better companion for your four-legged partner. It is also a very good tool for trainers who can view the rider up close, rather than froma a distance, and give better guidance to help the rider develop faster. As a bonus, the simulator can help with recovery from injuries. Whatever the purpose, this horse will give you clear feedback.
With this simulator it is possible to ride on terrain as well as concentrate on dressage exercises, you can practice jump training and jump on a test track or even experience cross-country. Although the simulator itself is not a horse made of muscle and bone, it can help many real horses. The more aware and better riders we are, the better companions we can be to our four-legged friends.
A brand new simulator costs 125 000 euros but we have the opportunity to buy a little-used almost new horse simulator from our southern neighbors in Latvia for 60 000 euros. Currently, it is the only simulator in the Baltics, the closest being in Finland. If we get the money together, the plan is to place this horse simulator in Veskimetsa Ratsabaas in Tallinn.
Initially, the introductory prices are:
Use of the simulator 45 min - 40 euros
Use of the simulator 60 min - 50 euros
Use of the simulator 10x card 30 min (card is valid for 10 months) - 330 euros
Use of the simulator 10x card 45 min (card is valid for 10 months) - 380 euros
Goals:
If the first goal of 25 000 euros is met, it is possible to transport this machine to Estonia, as the owner of the simulator is ready to accept installments. I could start learning to use the simulator with a seasoned instructor and organise the room. The simulator needs to be installed by a specialist from Latvia. The money would go to the simulator's 1st contribution, transport (2000 euros) and training (250 euros + trainer's transport).
If the second objective of EUR 15 000 is met, I will be able to receive more people who have supported this project. In the beginning, I can't accept everyone at once, because the simulator must start earning money. The sooner I pay the full amount, the faster I can start accepting the people who have given support to the project in Hooandja.
When I reach my third goal of another EUR 15 000 then I will be able to pay almost the entire amount. While I work with the simulator I can save money in earnings in parallel. I can train 5 supporters a week after achieving the first goal. 10 supporters a week with the second goal reached. And at up to 15-20 supporters a week with the third goal achived.
While the project is up and running in Hooandja, I will continue to apply for other grants and explore other funding options. If the horse simulator is in Estonia, I can save money during the work.
