BEUDANTPlacing the camera well
is already half of the measurement.
Beudant reads the horse's position in the arena. The more stable, high and well placed the camera, the more accurate the measurements. An ordinary phone video can still be used, it is just less accurate.
At C, on the centre line, raised
- Behind the letter C, facing A, in line with the centre line.
- As high as possible: stand, wall, stepladder, pole. Height makes it easier to see figures and distances.
- The whole arena in frame, all four corners and all the letters visible, from start to finish.
- Phone fixed on a tripod or a mount: the camera does not follow the horse and does not zoom.
At B or E, from the side
It sees the horse in profile: paces, amplitude, transitions and immobility at the halts are measured much more finely. Same rules: fixed, the whole length of the arena in frame.
Before you press "record"
60 frames / second
Ideally 60 fps or more. The more frames, the more precisely durations (halts, immobility) and strides are measured.
1080p minimum
4K is not necessary. Keep the original video, without compressing it or sending it through a messaging app that shrinks it.
The whole test
Start before the entry at A, stop after the salute. Just trim the unneeded beginning and end. A test lasts at least one minute.
Three levels, all accepted
An ordinary video, shot on a phone, gives less precision but can still be used. No stand, no second phone? Film anyway: every level is analysed.
Two fixed cameras
One at C, raised, one at B or E. 60 fps. All measurements are possible, with the best precision.
One fixed camera at C
On a tripod, even at ground level, the whole arena in frame. Figures and movements are measured well; paces seen in profile are less precise.
A phone at the C end
Held as steady as possible, without zooming, keeping the horse and as much of the arena as possible in the picture. Less precise, but usable: more points will be flagged "to check".
Do
- Steady the phone before the test starts.
- Put the phone in airplane mode so a call does not interrupt the recording.
- Check the battery and the storage space.
- Film one test per video, and enter the rider, the horse and the test when uploading.
- If the test is judged, add the judges' score sheet when uploading.
Avoid
- Filming hand-held while following the horse.
- Zooming in or out during the test.
- Facing the sun (backlight).
- Letting people walk in front of the lens.
- Cutting part of the arena out of the frame.
Always send the original video, from the gallery of the phone that filmed it, or via a WeTransfer, Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox link. WhatsApp, Messenger, e-mail and social networks compress the video and strip it of the precision the analysis needs.
An ordinary video can still be used: it gives less precision, and whatever cannot be measured is flagged "to check", never invented.
Filming from the side of the course
In show jumping and cross-country, the video is filmed on a phone, following the horse: that is expected. What is measured over time is reliable (strides between fences, rhythm, faults), as are the rider's position and the jumping technique. Distances and speed are only approximate.
Do
- Film in landscape.
- Keep the whole horse in the picture, without cutting off its feet.
- Stand side-on to a line or a combination, so you can see both fences.
- Choose 60 frames/second if the phone offers it.
- Show jumping: start before entering the arena and stop after the finish line.
- Cross-country: enter the number of the fence or fences filmed when uploading.
- If possible, add a photo of the course plan and the official result.
Avoid
- Constantly zooming in and out.
- Filming from behind a row of spectators.
- Cutting the video between two fences of the same line.
The time and distances measured by Beudant are indicative: only the official timing and result count. A section that cannot be seen is flagged "cannot be analysed", never guessed.