The relationship between visual memory and rider expertise in a show-jumping context.

Individuals develop visual skills whilst participating in sport. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of reported riding expertise on the recall of visual information relating to show-jumps. Relevant (F1) and irrelevant (F2) points of focus were identified in 22 photographs of show-jumps. Participants were students (n=40) with varying levels of horse-riding ability. After viewing each photograph for 4s, the task was to identify F1s or F2s from four alternatives viewed for 10s. F1s were recalled significantly more than F2s (P<0.001). Riding expertise did not affect overall recall but only intermediate/advanced riders recalled F1s significantly better than F2s (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively). Recall of F1s, but not of F2s, was significantly correlated with riding expertise (P<0.05). It was concluded that the training of riders in visual attention techniques might improve ridden performance and could reduce the number of accidents associated with lack of experience and/or rider error.