TREC TRAINING REVIEW

Several club members enjoyed a two-part training clinic with technical delegate Yvonne Duffy giving them a taster of the exciting and enjoyable sport BHS Trec. This is a unique equestrian sport based on the French discipline "Le Trec". Introduced to this country by the British Horse Society in 1998, BHS TREC appeals to a variety of riders with all kinds of horses and ponies.

The competition is designed to test a horse/rider combination through a whole range of activities rather than focusing on one particular discipline. The sport requires versatility and training, combining the requirements of trail riding with jumping and correct basic flatwork.

BHS TREC comprises three phases, testing the partnership's ability to cope with an all-day ride across varied terrain, route finding, negotiating natural obstacles and hazards, while considering the welfare of the horse, respecting the countryside and enjoying all it has to offer.

Our members began their training with an unmounted session where Yvonne talked them through a day in the life of a TREC competitor. They then practised their map-reading and copying skills – essential skills to hone for the orienteering phase of the competition! She discussed in detail the basic equipment required, what to expect on the day and reassured all that anyone can have a go at TREC and that it is a fun and friendly sport where you will be welcomed regardless of what type of horse/pony you may ride. Yvonne also explained the types of obstacles that you may encounter during the PTV phase and how each obstacle is scored.

A week later our riders were able to put all of this knowledge into practice with a mounted training session at the club field. They were able to have a go at a variety of obstacles such as low branches, the s-bend of poles on the floor, rein back through a narrow corridor, bending poles, the 'maypole', mounting from the offside and leaving your horse to stand. Yvonne explained that unlike many other disciplines, if you are not happy at attempting an obstacle you can miss it out and you will not be disqualified as long at you inform the judge that you do not want to do it. All riders and horses seemed to thoroughly enjoy taking part and all left encouraged that they could have a go at a level 1 TREC competition and are very keen to give it a try!

We would like to thank Yvonne Duffy for her excellent advice, training and words of encouragement.

For more information on TREC visit the BHS website or go to www.trec-uk.com or www.cambstrec.co.uk