Trec people, talk to me

pookie

pookie

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I'm thinking of getting Millie into Le/BHS Trec when she's ready - never done it myself so would like to read as much as possible and learn well in advance. Any suggestions, hint and tips from people on here involved in Trec?

TIA :D
 
I do TREC it's great. It can seem a bit odd if you are used to other disciplines because, although you always want to do well, for a lot of the competitors it's more about a personal challenge & having a bit of fun - at least at level 1!
I did one full TREC at the back end of last summer & have done a bit of indoor over the winter. My 2nd full TREC is this weekend. I have got hold of scraps & bits & bobs to practise a few obstacles but things haven't gone to plan with that as we only have a field to ride in & it keeps raining. My horse is rising 6 & we have a long way to go before we will do really well, but he is quite bold & learning well.
Transitions are pretty key as for some of the obstacles faster paces score more but, e.g with the maypole, you have to straight in there with the desired pace & keep it or lose points. The Control of paces always has a big influence on the placings.
The great thing is you can always miss out an obstacle as long as you tell the judge. LAst year I hadn't even started teaching Jason rein back & there was no chance he would stand still in the middle of a comp for me to remount so I just missed those out.
It's amazing how many things we can find out hacking for practising things like riding up & down an incline, walk through water, step up & down. If you just get your horse used to as many different things as you can & walking over strange surfaces - feed bags, tarpaulins, random bits of carpet etc they are less likely to back off when you ask them to do a strange obstacle. At one indoor I went to they had a "bridge" which was a piece of green matting with what looked like upside down white plant pots either side - it caused carnage at the comp, but was easy to practise back home with a bit of bright orange swirly carpet retrieved from a skip.
 
Thanks Hairycob :D Sounds like I've got a lot to learn! Millie hasn't even been lunged yet so I probably won't be able to do anything even at Level 1 until next year. I love the idea of homemade practice obstacles...good for general hacking safety too. She's been here less than a week but has absolutely no reaction to bright coloured things, so that should prove helpful.
 
I have only done the winter series with my boy because I'm hopeless at reading a map, but we love it!
I also love the fact that you can miss anything out and not get eliminated- might start doing that when the jump gets a bit bigger!
Before I competed I went to a training evening- they had all the obstacles set out and they explain everything to you and have tips for when your horse says no! I found it really useful, have a look in your area when you're thinking of competing- I went on my training day a week before my first competition and it really helped me and the horse get the hang of things, he loves it now!
 
If you're ever doing any further east and want a pairs partner... My knobheaded highland is far too much of a git atm to take to one alone :o
 
I've done a couple and would like to do some more. They are really good fun. Get yourself a rule book from the BHS and practice the control of paces and obstacles though.

Normally Fitz is so pleased by the time the single tiny jump comes up in the obstacle course that he clears it be a good 4ft in every direction!

If anyone is interested in a pairs partner for level 1 or 2 in the South Somerset\West Wilts\North Dorset area let me know, the girl I did it with before seams to have vanished into thin air and Fitz sulked his way around the individual orienteering last time we went alone.....Ps. I can do the map reading!
 
Shazzababs said:
If anyone is interested in a pairs partner for level 1 or 2 in the South Somerset\West Wilts\North Dorset area let me know, the girl I did it with before seams to have vanished into thin air and Fitz sulked his way around the individual orienteering last time we went alone.....Ps. I can do the map reading!
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Why must you be literally on the opposite side of the country from me?! I want an L2 pair partner :(
 
I agree with hairycob, get her used to strange things on the ground. Circles are often marked with flour/shavings (over here anyway) which (according to my pony) might eat them.
Get her used to leading behind you as well, without lagging.
Once she's ready, I'd say get her out to training sessions so she can see everything and you can work on anything she's not too sure of.
I'd also get her used to the gear for POR, I spent a session in the arena getting my boy used to the sound of paper rustling, and now I can mark my map without dismounting.
 
I'm a member of Trec Ireland, may differ slightly from BHS Trec.

I love it, my mare is a hothead and the relaxed atmosphere at Trec and the nature of the obstacles etc just seems to really work for her, she loves it, and she excels at it.
Since most of the outdoor PTV events are on XC courses, its really improved her BRAIN. Makes her think.

I have to admit, I'm still not in love with the unmounted obstacles, meh, getting on and off etc but its fine.

Also, I like doing it as a pair, as I would find the long orienteering parts boring without, so we still do level 1, as often the higher levels here only cater for individuals. Should be doing our first level 2 as a pair at the nationals this July.

I have some videos from various different events, the third link is probably the best if you don't want to watch them all.

Our first level 1 - 3 phase;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU-8bF-sPeg&feature=relmfu

Our first indoor PTV (please excuse the state of my horse who was dragged straight from the field in winter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QUay1ah6o

Outdoor PTV Headcam, check out her face!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzQzHvj3LDM

And from last week, we weren't competing, just riding the course for timing, most fo the obstacles weren't set up/drawn out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxAw99mdbEM

Its something different everytime, I've done quite a few now and I still haven't got a chance to do a gate, a ditch or the low branches.

Each PTV course is a different challenge, combination of obstacles, you definitely need to work on transitions, walk to canter, canter to walk, reinback to canter.

I'd done the footbridge loads of times, we have a flat board one, and also one thats raised with rails, that usually has a tarp underneath ... then we came upon that one over the pit of despair in competition... ugh!!

We camped at our last weekend, and will be again in July at the nationals... its so much fun, love the relaxed atmosphere.
 
You need a rule book, because all the dimensions of the obstacles are in it, so you can build your own at home. All you need are some jump poles, planks, a couple of jump stands and some bamboo canes. It also tells you how each obstacle should be completed and how it is judged.

There are not that many competitions, so you are lucky if you are in an area where you can get to some. The organisation means a lot of helpers are needed.

It is very good because training them is a challenge. You have to introduce the obstacles slowly and so as not to give the horse a fright, or you will never suceed. It took me DAYS the first time to get my horse to go underneath the "low branches" in the middle of a field, something he does automatically out on a ride. He saw the canes over the top of the jump stands and was convinced I was asking him to jump over the top of them! Then he thought he was far too big to go underneath them!

It is a lot of fun to think of different ways to do things. Practice from both sides of the horse. Some of it is about good schooling, like the control of paces,although even that can be surprisingly trickly. How about cantering alongside a stack of plastic covered bales?

Get used to going out with a map and compass and really compare the map with what you are seeing on the ground, so note hedge lines, where side roads come in, see where a footpath joins the lane. Before you first competition have a dress rehersal with all the kit and go out for a long ride. See if you can join a club, as they will have practice days.
 
*waves* Hi Mocha!

As M said, it's lovely and relaxed, it's great for the excitable ones, and also for the nervous ones :) (forgot to mention it myself earlier).
 
Orangehorse said:
You need a rule book, because all the dimensions of the obstacles are in it, so you can build your own at home. All you need are some jump poles, planks, a couple of jump stands and some bamboo canes. It also tells you how each obstacle should be completed and how it is judged.

It is very good because training them is a challenge. You have to introduce the obstacles slowly and so as not to give the horse a fright, or you will never suceed. It took me DAYS the first time to get my horse to go underneath the "low branches" in the middle of a field, something he does automatically out on a ride. He saw the canes over the top of the jump stands and was convinced I was asking him to jump over the top of them! Then he thought he was far too big to go underneath them!
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Trec Ireland have a free copy for download on their website, to compete you might need the official BHS copy, but to sart practicing at home, it probably has enough info.

I don't practice at home, and I don't have any obstacles - its not essential.

If your horse is well adjusted, used to going to shows, hacking out, seeing different things, it shouldn't be a problem. Flags, fillers, roadsigns, bale wrap, water, show/competition environment.
Even for young horses, Level 1, afterall, with the exception of reinback, are all fairly simple 'schooling' requirements.

At our first PTV phase, my horse had never seen an obstacle, and yet we had perfect scores for the bending poles, ridden s bend, mounted and unmounted immobility, reinback, canter corridor, jump, footbridge etc
Alot of the 'skills' as you say are just schooling - we don't do dressage, but we do perfect one time and two time changes for the bending poles, from our speed round SJ days.

We struggled with our inhand obstacles, simply because, the rules are different to the way you would normally handle your horse; as in, you have to lead ahead of your horse, in walk and trot... I was convinced my mare was going to hamstring me!

Since I started trec, I've begun to think its actually the perfect outing for the young horse - you don't have to put any pressure on them to do the obstacles, they can improve bit by bit as they go along. We have plenty of young horses in our club, who's first experience of Trec was in low level competition. One 4yr old cob actually winning the PTV on his first outing... he was listening to his rider and not anticipating or evading like some of the established horses were.

I did some orienteering with my 4yr old, its no different to hacking at level 1, he was fine, just a bit slow!
 
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I love Trec. As a newer rider I find the competitions really relaxed and fun. It was one of the first outings I did with my boy - although we were spectacularly bad!

We play with the obstacles at home, making things up with jump wings and poles. I also find that doing despooking with non-Trec things helps a lot as it just gets them used to seeing different stuff.

Now that we have actually discovered different speeds in the canter I am hopeful we will even get points in the Control of Paces.:rolleyes:

We were due to do our first BHS full trec in pairs in April but the rain came and it was cancelled. Am looking for more to do now.

Great fun with your horse and very friendly.
 
I'm off to trec at keysoe this weekend. My horse is also a hothead and Trec gives him fun games to challenge his active little brain, like dressage with obstacles! I have to do pairs tho for full trecs, as, whilst I'm fine at reading maps I'm rubbish at speeds and bearings and too lazy to learn properly. The nice bit is you can miss obstacles out without getting eliminated, so if there are any he gets stressy about I move on to the next and practice the other at home. You'll have a great time!
 
KatPT said:
I'm off to trec at keysoe this weekend. My horse is also a hothead and Trec gives him fun games to challenge his active little brain, like dressage with obstacles! I have to do pairs tho for full trecs, as, whilst I'm fine at reading maps I'm rubbish at speeds and bearings and too lazy to learn properly. The nice bit is you can miss obstacles out without getting eliminated, so if there are any he gets stressy about I move on to the next and practice the other at home. You'll have a great time!
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You have no idea how jealous I am - I was going to enter, but I'm in Hampshire viewing a percheron with a friend :( Good luck, and remember to write a report :D:D

*coughs* you weren't looking for a pairs partner this year at all? :p
 
Trec is fantastic!
I love it and am only frustrated by the lack of competitions that I can reach.

I have a 'challenging' mare and it has been perfect for us, if a little terrifying at times - I have only ridden as an individual so far as I was unsure how she would behave with others (we usually ride alone at home) and setting out on my first orientteering competition from the top of a windy xc course into the unknown with just a map and a leaping horse was nerve racking. However she and I become so focussed on following the route and hitting the speeds we don't have time to worry about what scary thing we may meet on the way. And you get to ride in some truely beautiful countryside.

It is a really friendly sport where people really enjoy their horses and, like most sports, you can be as competitive as you like.

I started by doing an indoor winter trec before doing a level one POR and then tackling a full 2 day level 1 individual competition in my first year. We moved up to level 2 last year (our second year). My mare took to coralling like a pro (I was very pleasantly surprised) and camping wiht my horse was an absolute dream. sleeping in my trailer in the houling winds at the GB champs on dartmoor this summer was not quite so rose tinted - but horse was happy ;-)

I used the trek-uk forum a huge amount when I started and asked loads of questions, and got lots of sound and very friendly advice in reply. I also joined the nearest TREC club (Trec South West in my case) and have made many new friends as a result.
Another really good way to find out more about it is to offer to help out at an event. as someone has already said a full trec needs so many helpers so any offer is always appreciated. if you say you are new, you will probably get paired up with a more experienced judge.

I am sure it would be great for you youngster. I hope to take my youngster to some of the winter trecs this year and it gives you things to practise at home. I would secind the suggestion to buy a rule book so you can have fun at home building obstacles.
I must say though that the full trecs are a different ball game to the indoor arena ones in the winter - much more exciting, challenging and fun in my opinion!!! The winter ones are great for new horses and upping your skill level with an older one. For example my girlie and I started by walking the low branches (we bounce too high when we trot) in the first season and last winter the aim was to canter (gallop and buck! - we had different adjendas!).
The good thing too is that you can adapt your approach on the day. My mare when hormonal is a madam but is very responsive to my voice so i can talk her around. If she is very excitable I can decide to walk or trot an obstacle and if she is chilled I can canter those low branches.

So I do hope you manage to give it a go. I suspect you will love it.
 
Mocha - love the head cam one - lovely horse - so calm :-)

The youtube clip that got me wanting to try it was also a head cam round. Google PTV caythorpe 2007 and see what comes up - loved it.
 
Thanks so much for all the replies! So much information - am watching the videos and reading through the posts now :D

(kinda sneaky admission I wish I'd not asked about this just yet...it looks brilliant but Millie's nowhere near ready :D Only been backed and turned away with the previous owner)
 
I did a few L1/2 comps with my little ginger horse. Must say I didn't really do any 'homework' before turning up to first competition, but at the end of the day a decently schooled riding horse should be able to have a good go at the majority of the obstacles.

Map reading is really simple at L1 and 2 so don't worry too much :) Ginger horse is now retired but when I get something else I will be aiming at competing at the higher Trec levels :)
 
@ jftd, I was, but my sister has (fir this weekend at least) managed to commandeer the rather fab cob that featured in the recent feature on Trec in one of the horse magazines! I'll definitely post a report, although given the orienteering is after the ptv (so he won't have had a nice 20km ride to settle him), I can guess how it may go! Plus I bet keysoe will use their water jump. This is an issue not because I can't get in, but because I usually can't get out...pony starts splashing around like a mentalist, blindly ignoring me whilst merrily soaking me and anyone else in the next 3 counties as he tries to empty the water from the hole! I may be there all day 8)
 
I am sure you will enjoy it.

Rhino - not entirely sure I agree that map reading is "really simple" at level 2. :-)

The level 2's I have competed in have not been simple - or rather I have not found them so and I think my map reading is ok - once I sussed out that I needed glasses to see the fine detail! I wasn't worried about getting completely lost so don't be put off having a go, but to be as accurate as needed was not so simple .

This may have been the areas the POR was set in because that can make a big difference, or it may have been because they were qualifiers.
It seems open Moorland or forestry can be more difficult whilst some lovely lanes usually gives my brain a rest :-)
Schedules often say if they feel the POR route would be suitable for first timers or not.

Or it could be because my mare does not stand still for long so have to map read at speed!
 
You might well have been, she wad jump judging and said she spoke to a few people about Trec!
 
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