What if you could see what a dressage judge sees when they watch your test? Or ask your phone to tell you whether you’re unwittingly leaning in your saddle? 

It may sound futuristic, but those tools are now a reality. With the advancement of AI diagnostics and analysis, technology is increasingly impacting all areas of our lives, from telehealth and remote learning to global communication. USEF is committed to utilizing the latest technology to improve competition outcomes, and to minimize risk to our horses and riders.  

In a session at US Equestrian’s 2026 Annual Meeting titled, “Technology in Sport Presented by Pivo” moderated by Justin Provost, USEF Chief Information Officer, industry experts and athletes shared their insight on the latest tech developments that are used in both our sport, and others. 

Tyler Noble, Lead Sport Science and Data Analyst for USA Track & Field (USATF), opened the conversation by sharing how USATF implemented technology at the Tokyo and Paris Summer Olympic Games.  

“Our challenge at USATF in sports science is we want to maximize medal attainment at the World Championships and Olympic Games,” he said. “We really view effective sports science as service provision. We exist to serve the athletes and the coaches, not the other way around.” 

Noble went on to explain that by using remote video analysis and automated motion capture, USATF identified individualized key performance indicators (KPIs) for sprinters. Correcting minute biomechanical flaws, such as a step being centimeters too short, was the difference between fourth place and a gold medal at the Olympics. He emphasized their aim of meeting coaches where they were to ensure buy-in. 

Noble stated that approximately 90% of performance is what the athlete brings to the table; another 9% is the coaching system, and 1% comes from the support team.  

“The 1% sometimes is the difference between fourth and first,” he said.  

The crossover from track and field to equestrian sport comes from the idea of identifying the problem, the intervention needed for each individual to be successful, and knowing how to use existing technology to do that, Noble said.  

Richard D. Mitchell, DVM, DACVSMR, a senior associate at Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn., utilizes technology to revolutionize equine diagnostics and improve care for horses.  

“Many times, we're asked to evaluate poor performance, which may just be a horse that doesn't want to play, and we have to get the horse to speak to us — this is where technology can often aid in making an accurate diagnosis,” Dr. Mitchell said. “The horse doesn't speak, so we have to learn to listen to it. Having some sort of analytical method by which to evaluate lameness can really be a big help.” 

Dr. Mitchell stressed that while technology does not replace the physical examination, digital advancements such as motion analysis devices and advanced imaging (like PET scans and CTs) can aid the process. In addition, scintigraphy (a bone scan) is a nuclear imaging diagnostic test that can be used to identify areas of active bone remodeling or inflammation. 

With the increased use of technological advancements, we can move beyond subjective evaluation to accurately identify the root causes of lameness and poor performance in horses. 

Jennifer Mitchell, owner and co-managing partner of Atlantic Physical Therapy in West Falmouth, Maine, next took to the stage to discuss how a rider’s physical asymmetries can directly impact their horse’s performance. She uses video analysis to identify issues like a dropped shoulder or hip and then applies physical therapy techniques to correct them, resulting in immediate improvements in the horse’s movement and symmetry.  

“Riding is a very unique sport in that we have two athletes, and we approach it from the horse a lot of times,” Mitchell said. “We need to approach it from the rider as well because the movement of the rider definitely affects the performance of the horse. 

“Riding is a sport of symmetry, you want the right side and the left side to be equal,” she continued. “Horses are very pressure sensitive. Especially in dressage, we want the right half pass to be the same as the left half pass.” 

Smartphone apps such as Ridesum can give AI horse analysis and seat analysis to enhance training and track progress, allowing Mitchell to do analysis from the back and from behind. 

“Feel is something that's very difficult to teach ... you have to give people experiences in order for them to learn feel,” Mitchell said.  

Dressage rider Christian Simonson appeared via Zoom to give an athlete’s perspective on new video tools that show the different judges’ points of view.  

New software using Pivo technology was tested by USEF at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. It displayed videos of a dressage test side by side from the viewpoint of the judges, with the corresponding scores and remarks for each movement, allowing riders to see every angle to fully understand their score — and learn how to improve it.  

“Seeing that perspective is really helpful, especially for the transitions where truly seeing two perspectives can have two different scores and different outcomes,” Simonson said. 

(Please note, this is currently in the development stage.) 

Pivo founder and CEO Ken Kim closed out the session by explaining how Pivo is changing how riders train, and how trainers teach. Their ground-breaking technology turns your smartphone into an auto-tracking, hands-free camera that follows you. The Official Technology Training Partner of USEF, Pivo Equestrian features 360-degree rotation that tracks your horse’s movement as you go around the arena to create dynamic footage of your entire ride. 

“Athletes improve fastest when they can see what happened, analyze the truth of their performance, reflect on it, and measure their progress over time,” he said. “Riders often come out of the arena saying: ‘I know what it felt like … but I don’t know what actually happened.’”  

Pivo has closed that gap between feel and knowledge by showing riders exactly what happened in the arena. It also allows riders to receive real-time instruction in remote lessons that are tracked and recorded. Through this technology, Pivo is redefining remote instruction and allowing users to connect with their trainers across the miles. 

“The same intelligence helping Olympic athletes achieve their best can now support every rider, in every arena, every day,” Kim said. “We are honored to be USEF’s Official Training Technology Partner. Together, we can expand access, elevate training, grow the fan base, and help shape the future of equestrian sport.” 

See a full replay of the session here.