ArenaGear University · Equestrian & Snow Sports
Timing Skijoring, Ski Races and Mounted Archery with the RM-510L
One wireless 2-gate system for snow, speed and horseback. How to set it up for skijoring, slalom and mounted archery, plus the accessories that make race day run itself.
Why the RM-510L works in snow and on horseback
- Accurate to 0.001 second, with start and finish gates up to 1,200 ft apart.
- Rated from -40°F to +185°F, so a sub-zero morning on the hill is not a problem.
- Fully wireless. No cables across the course for horses, skis or snowcats to snag.
- Live times on every phone. Riders, skiers, parents and spectators can all watch. Only the organizer can reset a run or add penalties.
- Eye-safe infrared beams. Safe for horses, dogs and people.
- No subscriptions and no per-rider fees.
Skijoring (ski joring, skikjøring, ski attelé)
In skijoring, a horse and rider pull a skier through a course of gates, jumps and rings. Fast, clean runs win, so a 0.001-second timer settles close finishes that a stopwatch cannot.
Setup
- Set up each gate 20 ft wide, with the beam above the skier's knee height.
- Place the finish gate up to 1,200 ft from the start, depending on terrain and obstacles.
- Protect the tripods from the tow rope with ramps, hay bales or packed snow, as in the photo above.
- In the app, choose Settings > Mode: 2-Gate Autostart. The clock starts when the skier breaks the start beam and stops at the finish beam, then resets for the next run.
- Route the horse beside the gates so only the skier passes through them.
- Add penalties (missed gates, dropped rings) from the organizer's phone after each run.
Full step-by-step guide: Skijoring timing set-up.
Slalom, giant slalom and ski speed events
Ski clubs and race programs use the RM-510L for slalom, giant slalom, ski cross and speed runs.
- Start: put a gate pair just below the start so the beam breaks as the racer leaves. For a traditional push-off start, use the remote start button (below) instead.
- Finish: span the finish line with the second gate pair, up to 1,200 ft down the hill.
- Speed runs: set the two gate pairs a measured distance apart to create a speed trap. Distance divided by time gives speed.
- Keep the tripods back from the course so spray from carving skis doesn't knock them over or coat the optical windows.
- Training: every racer sees their run time on their phone at the bottom, so coaches don't have to radio times down.
Mounted archery (horseback archery)
In most mounted archery formats, the score combines target hits with time down the track. That makes accurate timing as important as accurate shooting.
- Use Bidirectional mode. Put one gate at each end of the track. The clock starts when the rider crosses either gate and stops when they cross the opposite gate.
- Left-handed riders can run the course in the opposite direction, and every rider is timed with the same 0.001-second precision. No moving gates between runs.
- No flag drop or human reaction time. The beam starts and stops the clock automatically.
- Judges score the targets; the timer handles the clock. Add time penalties or bonuses from the organizer's phone.
- Riders see their time immediately, and the crowd can follow every run live.
ArenaGear served as official timekeeper of the 2023 IHAA World Championships in Horseback Archery.
Recommended accessories
| Accessory | Why you want it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| RM-510SB Wireless Scoreboard (9" x 28") | 6-inch digits readable from 100 ft in sunlight. Choose from 7 colors in the app. Wireless range 300 ft. Runs on 120 VAC or an optional 12 V supply. Semi-outdoor: keep it under cover, as it is not rainproof. | From $878.90 |
| RM-510RB Remote Start/Stop Button | Start or stop the clock by hand from up to 200 ft away. Use it for a flagged or push-off start, or have a judge stop the clock. Requires an RM-510. | $181 |
| Custom carrying case | Holds both gates and tripods in one rugged case, with a pocket for the remote button. | $99 |
Quick FAQ
Does the RM-510L work below freezing?
Yes. It is rated from -40°F to +185°F.
Can spectators see the times?
Yes. Anyone can view live times on their phone; only the organizer can reset runs or add penalties.
Is the beam safe for horses?
Yes. The gates use eye-safe infrared.
Can left-handed archers run the course the other way?
Yes. In Bidirectional mode the clock starts at whichever gate the rider crosses first and stops at the opposite gate, so riders can run in either direction.
Will snow knock over the gates or block the beam?
Not if you place them well back from the track. The beam spans the gap, so the tripods can sit out of the path of kicked-up snow and spray, which keeps the gates standing and the optical windows clear.
How far apart can the start and finish be?
Up to 1,200 ft.
RM-510L Equestrian 2-Gate System: from $720
Free US shipping · Eye-safe infrared · No subscriptions · Made in McKinney, Texas
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