Abstract: A venue transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at an infield site of a race or activity circuit facility, the infield site being contained within a race or activity circuit perimeter. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the infield site; excavating material from an area within the infield site; and forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2. Water containment walls are constructed on a first section and a sloped access area is formed on a second section of the basin for a beach. A barrier is included to control access to the beach. At least one additional recreational facility is constructed around the basin and a connection is provided that connects the outfield of the race or activity circuit with the infield site to allow transit of vehicles and/or people.

Abstract: A method of facilitating monitoring and interdicting of targets crossing through an area comprising first mixing a luminescent pigment and a soil stabilizer, second loading the mixture into a spray dispenser, third dispensing the mixture in a substantially continuous coating covering a swathe of ground, and fourth monitoring said continuous coating covering said swathe of ground for disturbances in the continuity of said swathe.

Abstract: An indoor facility includes an enclosed arena; an entrance for patrons to enter and exit the facility; a reception counter to receive patrons and collect money; a track inside the facility, the track having a plurality of lanes and dividing lines therebetween; a plurality of dividers along the dividing lines, the dividers comprising walls that are at least partially opaque; a plurality of lockers with adjacent seating; a plurality of customer seating areas comprising at least seating inside the entrance and in the middle of the track; a plurality of pet locations including a pet training area, a pet dog relief park, a pet party room, and a pet shop with accessories, toys and treats; and advertising and information walls.

Abstract: An artificial surface suitable for making horse tracks includes fine siliceous sand with median granulometry less than 500 ?m and a silica content higher than 60 % wt., and a proportion by weight ranging from 3 to 5% of very fine hollow synthetic fibers of polyester or polypropylene.

Abstract: An artificial surface suitable for making horse tracks includes fine siliceous sand with median granulometry less than 500 ?m and a silica content higher than 60 % wt., and a proportion by weight ranging from 3 to 5% of very fine hollow synthetic fibers of polyester or polypropylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an area suitable for equestrian use. The area comprises an upper, equestrian surface layer, and a sub-surface support layer which includes a plurality of laterally arranged load bearing structural modules. Each module comprises a top wall and a bottom wall spaced therefrom by one or more supporting elements so as to define an interior volume between the top and bottom walls, and is provided with at least one aperture to permit the flow of water into and out of the volume. There is a system for retaining water within at least some modules in the sub-surface support layer. A water permeable layer that is impermeable to solid particles of the upper, equestrian surface layer is provided between the structural modules and the equestrian surface layer. A wicking system is in fluid communication with the interior volumes of at least some of the modules and have portions extending upwardly to transfer water to the upper, equestrian surface layer from the sub-surface support layer.

Abstract: A racing surface and configuration that requires only moving, tilling, or plowing of land and has a finish line that is different from the starting line.

Abstract: A riding floor assembly has a support layer laid on a subfloor. The support layer, or ground preparation layer, is formed of ground preparation elements that are substantially formed of plates and are arranged next to one another. A footing layer covers the upper side of the ground preparation layer. A plurality of tufts of bristles are provided on that side of the ground preparation layer facing toward the footing layer. The tufts of bristles have a length selected such that the bristles do not project out of the footing layer.

Abstract: A game system for reliably realizing synchronization of timings at which a common event in a plurality of game machines start. The game system includes a plan management server that measures lapse of system time common in the game system and with the time measurement, updates plan information indicative of remaining time until the system time reaches a process start stage at which a process for the common event starts. Each of the game machines includes an obtaining device to obtain the plan information from the plan management server, a stage determining device to determine whether the system time has reached the process start stage or not on the basis of laps of time of the system time measured in the game machine, and a process executing device to start a process for the common event when it is determined that the system time has reached the process start stage.

Abstract: Various contact systems and methods for manufacturing and using such are disclosed herein. Examples of the contact systems include a surface with one set of pads biased at a first voltage level, and another set of pads biased at a second voltage level. Such a contact system can be used, for example, to transfer power to an electromechanical device disposed thereon. In one particular example, the electromechanical device can include a power storage element and two or more couplings. When one of the couplings contacts a pad biased at the first voltage level, and another of the couplings contacts a pad biased at the second voltage level, a circuit is completed where some derivative of the differential between the first voltage level and the second voltage level is placed across the power storage element. Completion of the circuit causes the power storage element to charge. Power can be drawn from the power storage element to operate the electromechanical device.

Abstract: A track for equestrian sports and the like, comprising a base layer of compacted polymeric particles, the majority of which have a size in the range from 20–60 mm, an intermediate layer overlying the base layer and comprising compacted polymeric granules whose mean particle size is in a range from 3–25 mm and a top layer comprising finely divided composite particles formed from a thermoplastic polymer, a finely divided filler material such as sand and a wax-based binder. The invention also provides a method of making a particulate material which comprises blending a polymer-coated finely divided filler material with wax and a particulate elastomer, in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: Offset racing rail arrangements (16) of the fixed and relocatable variety are made safer by fitment of a cover designed to prevent riders from falling between and sometimes onto the poles which support the racing rail. A cover (22) is provided which is releasably attachable to a receptacle portion of the rail which is also resiliently spaced by a support means from the posts (10) which support the rail. The cover (22) is one embodiment comprises sheet material (24) bent (30, 32, 34, 36 and 38) underneath itself in such a manner as to provide a resilient self supporting spacing from each posts (10). The cover (22) is also in the embodiment provided with an edge portion (26) adapted to releasbly attach to a receptacle portion (56) of the rail without the use of fasteners.

Abstract: An equestrian jumping device using telescopic standards which adjust the height of the jump. The jump height is determined by placing an elongated cup having a pin into predetermined holes positioned on the telescopic posts. The elongated cup and adjustable posts enable one to create a corner obstacle comprising of two poles and three standards. The two poles meet at one end in the elongated cup and then proceed in opposite directions to form a triangle or corner. The advantage of the adjustable standard eliminates the standard from protruding above the pole which could injure either horse or rider.

Abstract: Jumps for horses comprise control means for altering with elapse of time at least one of the shape, configuration and position relative to the ground of the obstacle presented by the jump to the horse. Examples of obstacles presented of which at least one of the shape, configuration and position relative to the ground are caused to vary are an axially rotatable beam with a non-circular cross-section, water issued from a plurality of selectively controllable water jet nozzles, and a plurality of mutually parallel poles mounted to be driven in a direction perpendicular to their length along a closed loop, which itself moves along the ground.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substitute ground surface material comprising a granular component comprising sand and at least one of clay or silt, wherein the granular component is treated with a binder comprising an interpolymer dissolved or dispersed in a non or low aromatic oil and wherein the binder is generally fluid at the treating conditions. In a process for treating existing dirt tracks or existing synthetic tracks, an aqueous emulsion of the interpolymer/oil bind is sprayed on the existing dirt track to form the substitute ground surface in-situ.

Abstract: A means and method for modifying the width of a racing surface of a racetrack having a movable barrier positioned between a stationary outer barrier and a stationary inner barrier, the movable barrier comprising pylons having a removable tethering means connecting the movable barrier to the inner stationary barrier, and also having a limiting means to enable the user to place the movable pylons in generally the same position prior to the beginning of every race. During the course of the race, the user will move the movable pylons off of the racing surface, thus increasing the width of the racing surface available to the horse and driver. In another embodiment, an inner lane of approximately 8-10 feet exists to increase the width of the racing surface during the stretch portion of the race.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the gait of a horse comprises a device (4) for measuring displacement parameters of the horse (2) along at least one axis (Z), processing device (5, 8) for processing the signals coming from the measuring device (4), microprocessor for comparing the amplitude of the output signals from the processing device means with at least one given value characterizing a gait error of the horse (2), and a device (10) for indicating a gait error.