C.C.T
Well-Known Member
Does aanyone know what is envolved in trec? What are the abilities both horse and rider need to compete?
Font's fine, it's the colour!!! - LOL![]()
Font's fine, it's the colour!!! - LOL![]()
I'm sorry :/ It's just some people on Facebook are being total ar**ho**s to me because I like horses and that colour made me happy if that makes sense x
I'm sorry :/ It's just some people on Facebook are being total ar**ho**s to me because I like horses and that colour made me happy if that makes sense x
I've been an obstacle judge at BHS Trec - never laughed so much in my life.
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It may make you happy, but it probably won't get you many replies.
I've been an obstacle judge at BHS Trec - never laughed so much in my life.
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Yes that font (and colour) is horrid.
Have a look at the trec website on BHS it explains what is involved http://www.bhs.org.uk/Riding/BHS_TREC.aspx
You and your horse should have a confident partnership to tackle the various obstacles, you should practise them all because you don't know which ones will come up on the day.
You should be ok with map reading as there is an orienteering part (Trec set up training days for this), and practise slow canter/fast walk for the control of paces part.
It is great fun and very sociable so if it appeals to you then join in and have a go.
There are training days or you can organise a trainer to come out to you to help get you organised. PM me if you want to know the contact details for a local trainer.
I've done some Trec training and so long as you don't take yourself too seriously, it's great fun. Great for your pony too
If you'd been at my training day, you would certainly have had a great laugh at us!
My pony doesn't like white lines, sticks etc so you can guess some of the obstacles were a 'challenge' to say the least - lol
Well I have
1)a 3 year old tbXwelsh who can only do a bit of cantering and very small jumps
2)a semi retired 17 year old highland who is very strong and hard to control but I still can if that makes sense and he can't do much jumping as he has navacular syndrome
3)stubborn 7 year old welsh mare
4)mare-usually a great all rounder and PC pony but is currently unfit and underweight due to just having a foal
Would any of these horses be able to do trec?
Not much at all, if you horse is sound and reasonably schooled and not likely to take fright at the obstacles/things in the countryside. They have to be willing to learn to get used to being asked to do some more unusual things, but I think that they really enjoy the training and it is sometimes an enjoyable challenge to practice things at home.
I think "willing to have a go" is a good description for the horse.
One lady I knew took her dressage horse and did really well, but then doing a nice slow canter and obeying the leg in the obstacles was easy. It was a generally well mannered horse that hacked in the countryside and took everything in its stride.
For level 1 and 2 the obstacles are not that demanding and you can miss them out if you want if there is something you REALLY don't want to do. For summer Trecs you have to learn to read a map and use a compass and be observant and meet the normal hazards of riding through the countryside - herds of cattle, sheep, opening gates, maybe going through water.
If you are aiming for Level 3 and 4, then I think you need a horse that has done more in the way of hunting or cross country as although the fences you jump are never going to be very large, they are a bit bigger and having a decent jumper is an easy way to pick up some marks. The other obstacles don't get much more difficult, it is more where they are sighted. Like the Control of Paces being on a curve, or on a circle or having a wobble, or being by a stack of plastic covered bales.
So I did a Level 2 and did more or less the same course as the Level 4, except for the height of the 2 jumps. All the other obstacles were the same, but hopefully the Level 4s did them in a better style and faster than me.
Just remembered that I went to a talk about Trec in the very early days and the speaker said that at the first competition a lot of the horses were maniacs. However, with practice and training at home they improved immensely and became very good mounts for someone wishing to spend a day riding in the countryside, which is after all the object of the competition.
I do say, however, that Trec is an unlimited opportunity for a horse to make a complete fool of its rider, so you must mind be embarassed if they let you down!