The mechanical horse
For more than 30 years, Kāpiti Equestrian & Vaulting Centre has been supporting young people, families and the wider community through equestrian sport, equine-assisted programmes and the unique sport of vaulting.
Today, we are seeking a community partner to help us purchase a Racewood Equine Simulator (mechanical horse), a vital piece of equipment that will support athlete development, improve horse welfare and create new opportunities for
participation across our club. The total cost, including shipping from England, is approximately $30,000.
Help Kāpiti Equestrian & Vaulting Centre purchase a lasting community asset that will benefit athletes, horses and the wider community for years to come.
The simulator will support athletes working towards qualification for the 2027 FEI Junior World Championships, while also creating lasting benefits for horse welfare, community participation and equine-assisted programmes across the Kāpiti Coast.
For our club, a mechanical horse is no longer a “nice to have” – it has become a necessity.
For many years, our club has achieved exceptional results without access to a mechanical horse.
We have made this work through careful horse management, dedicated coaching and the commitment of our volunteers, athletes and families.
However, we have reached the point where a mechanical horse is no longer a “nice
to have” – it is a necessity.
Most competitive vaulting clubs have access to a mechanical horse because there is a limit to how much meaningful progress can be made away from a moving horse.
For our athletes currently working towards qualification and selection for the 2027 FEI Junior World Championships, access to additional moving-horse training is one of the most important investments we can make. The simulator will provide training opportunities that are currently limited by horse availability, helping athletes build the skills and consistency needed to pursue their international ambitions.
With one of our key vaulting horses, Zeek, recently injured, the club has experienced first-hand the challenges of relying
on a small number of horses for training. The disruption has reinforced the need for a mechanical horse, which would
provide valuable resilience by allowing training to continue when horses need rest, rehabilitation or reduced workloads,
while also improving horse welfare and reducing pressure on the horses in our care.
The simulator will support not only competitive athletes, but also community participation, therapy programmes and rider development. While the simulator will be invaluable for athlete development, its benefits extend well beyond our competitive programme.
The mechanical horse can be used to:
- Support therapeutic riding and equine-assisted programmes
- Help nervous riders build confidence before riding a live horse
- Introduce new participants to horses in a safe environment
- Provide training opportunities for younger members
- Host demonstrations and community events in locations where horses cannot
safely be taken - Deliver education and coaching opportunities throughout the region
This makes the simulator a valuable community asset, not simply a training tool. It
is an investment that will strengthen our club and benefit the wider Kāpiti
community for many years into the future.