The client’s brief for this project was very specific. The prototype that they developed was a modern cart attached behind a horse. The horse trainer is located inside the cart (or cabin as they are referred) from where they can closely monitor such things as the horse’s heart rate and oxygen levels. The system is fitted to an overhead track and takes the course of just over a kilometre through a gently sloping field within the AONB.

The local authority was keen to support the equestrian industry and the key employment that is provides. Their participation in pre-application discussion was key to tackling the many challenges relating to visual impact on the AONB and how this scheme could be permitted. Two public footpaths were also affected by the location of the loop, which was deliberately placed in a location where it would be visible from very few locations, but unfortunately bisected one of the paths.

The early design process was interesting. Firstly, how do you conceal a kilometre long loop that will be several metres above the ground? This required careful analysis on the surrounding countryside and anticipating where long distance views could be possible and where new landscaping could be provided to help reduce any unwanted views.

The project team was multinational and required a translator to facilitate communication between the Turkish client with an Italian Horse Trainer, German rollercoaster manufactures who fabricated the track and automotive engineers from Dagenham who built the bespoke cars. The early process also saw consultation with the Royal Veterinary College who were interested in the potential research capability of the system but who were also on hand to advise regarding material finishes relating to the welfare of the horses.

The covering for the track is open sided and its primary function is to keep excessive rain away from the track itself and the overhead motors of the cabins. Our design rationale was to curve the roof to present a softer shape that would fit more comfortably into the rolling countryside and use a series of different colour green cladding panels to provide a camouflage affect. A single colour would have been immediately visible at a distance.

Resolving the design technically required a lot of thought. Building with steel structures usually allow a degree of tolerance and acceptable movement. However, the overhead track that would be fixed to our structure was different and needed zero tolerance and would also place high movement stresses onto our structure’s foundation. This meant that for a single storey structure supporting only itself the design of the foundations were oversized and the steel connections were designed to very precise details.

Ian Blake designed Kurt Systems horse training prototype whist at Sutton Griffin Architects.