TREC questions?

[Blizzard]

Ive always thought TREC sounds like so much fun, and I want to give it a go!

Does anyone on here do it because I have a couple of questions?

First of all I would love to do it on Beau, but do you think he would be too big, he is 17.3hh and these TREC horses always seem to be diddy? I dont want to get stuck somewhere...literally LOL.

Also what kind of temperment does the horse need to have, I get the impression a general bombproof type would be an asset, considering the scary things you have to do?
Beau is only 6 but he is soooo well behaved, nothing scares him, I think he would have made a super police horse. So Im thinking he would be the ideal type to have a go on?

Finally how fit does the horse need to be, I would love for my partner and me to be able to do it together, however our other boy is 18, he is fine, but ony in light work, black in siggy.

Thank you for any advice and comments, keen to do something new!

 

[mollymurphy]

I did a trec training day a few years ago - it was a day were anyone could go along and give it a go. It was so much fun, but i've never seen another one since.

They all seem to be official members-only type things...and never near me.

I agree that the bombproof, non-spooky sorts do better because of the handy pony-type phase. Molly wasnt very fit when i did it with her, but we just took our time around the orientation part, so your older one should be fine. It's loads o fun though, so go for it! And if anyone knows of any fun training days, please let me know!!

 

[TrecPeter]

Ah! Good idea, and a nice change from show jumping etc. when everything is over in seconds.

You should be OK with Beau size wise, but you might find you have to stoop down rather a lot on some of the paths. I don't know what sort of terrain you get put through in the UK, but a smaller horse is more comfortable in wet forest with loads of branches trailing over the track. (mine, James is 167cm at the withers - about 16.5 hands and is a tad high sometimes.)

As far as the "Branches basses" (Low sticks ?) go, these are adjusted to 30cm above the horses withers, so it's fair for every size horse.

Your horse seems to have a suitable character from your description, and you need to reply on your mount remaining cool when you loose yours lost in the middle of nowhere

Regarding stamina, for beginners trecs they should be able to keep up a good walking and trotting pace for 2-3 hours, and should be used to climbing hills which you might encounter on the POR (that's hard work for a 600kg animal - it's not the same as toodling along on the flat). The circuits on the 1 day compets vary from 10-15miles.

Polish up your map & compass reading, and pay special attention to compass bearings when you're out. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE COMPASS AT ALL TIMES !

Good luck and I'm sure you will have great fun

cheers

 

[_April_]

I'm doing a RC Trec thing on Saturday. Its in Scotland though so a bit far from you mollymurphy!

You will be fine doing it, I enjoy it because it's so inclusive and everyone comes along. You could really do it on most horses, especially at a local level. I love having a 14.2 for it, especially the bending, but I bet you would be ok doing it on your 17.2.

Some people will be better at some things than others and its good fun to go exporing new places.
Sensible horses always get great marks at the obstacles lol.

Providing you can do a 3 hour ish hack you should be fine! April's 23 and she loves it. Although she is still in full work in other areas. I bet your boy will be fine.

ETS: I was just looking at your sig and the black is sooo shiny! He looks great.

 

[Blizzard]

[ QUOTE ]



ETS: I was just looking at your sig and the black is sooo shiny! He looks great.

[/ QUOTE ]

Aww thanks, I love him to pieces, he is a star

 

[Blizzard]

Thank you everyone for your comments!

Peter I was hoping you would post, I know you are the TREC master LOL and I know James is quite a big lad and you always seem to have so much fun!

 

[TrecPeter]

It's a pleasure to reply to someone who is interested in Trec - there aren't so many in the UK !

Here's James (and TP) wizzing under the Branches basses last year....

http://www.alwena.com/4feet/james/nantua06-034.jpg

What do you call these in UK Trec terminology?
I learnt to ride in France, so my english riding (&Trec) vocabulary is a bit lop sided !

BTW, as you can see from the sig pics, James isn't that calm !! But he is pretty stoic when the going gets rough

xx
TP

 

[_April_]

He's lovely!! None of the competitions I have been to have had the branches yet but I have tried it at home lol

Actually Peter I was wondering if you could help me on something.

How you you estimate the speed you are doing for each section of the orienteering.
Do you time your boy beforehand or do you just know that a trot is this speed a canter is this etc.

Hope thats not too confusing, its still quite new to me!

 

[TrecPeter]

[ QUOTE ]
He's lovely!! None of the competitions I have been to have had the branches yet but I have tried it at home lol

Actually Peter I was wondering if you could help me on something.

How you you estimate the speed you are doing for each section of the orienteering.
Do you time your boy beforehand or do you just know that a trot is this speed a canter is this etc.


[/ QUOTE ]

A good question April!
If the going is good and even, most horses will go at the following average speeds:
Steady Walk - 6 km/hr or 100m/min
Medium trot - 12km/hr or 200m/min
Medium canter - 24km/hr or 400m/min

This is fine going down a level path with no difficulties, and no stopping to take compass bearings! - So knowing the average speeds of your horse doesn't help very much. (The exception is when you have to follow compass bearings by direct reckoning on a blanked out area of the map - eg Compass 290° for 530mtrs)

On a 15-35km course you need a method that is far more reilable and where you can make up lost time if you get delayed.

This is what you do:

Before you go into the map tracing room at the start, note the speed you must use for the 1st section and try to get you exact set off time - you should have this before you go into the map room as you normally set off almost straight away.

Also synchronise your watch to the official Trec time clock.

During the map trace room, allow enough time to measure and mark you trace every km with a numbered km mark.
The quickest way to do this is with a thin plastic strip with small holes punched in a line every 4mm, equating to 100mtrs on the map (if it's 25000 scale)

Eg. see the Ceyzerit trec trace map on this url has been marked every km.
http://www.alwena.com/Trec/PORs/Ceyzeriat07.jpg

Note down on the side of the map, or or an easily accessible piece of paper with 1-20km already marked, the times (hr and mins) you should pass the 1, 2, 3, 4 km mark.

Eg if you start at 09h40, and your speed for the first segment is 8km/hr, you should complete every km in 7.5mins, so the 1km should be marked 09h47½, the 2km 09h55 and so on.

It's not worth marking more then 6-7km because normally you will have already encountered the first control point after 30-45mins and have a new speed for the next section. (unless you're lost

)

During the 5 mins rest at the check point you will mark up the new km crossing times for the next segment allowing for an estimated offset if the check point lies between two marks (it invariably does!)

A table of speeds is useful here to cover the range 5-12km/hr, giving the times to cover 0.1, 0,5, 1km etc for a particular speed. It can be stuck to the back of the map holder.

Hence, you should know more or less where you should be at precisely what time. It pointless to try to aim for split second precision, but if you can get to the km marks within 1-2 mins of your estimations, you will be doing very well.

It's sounds very labourious written out, but if you try it, you will see it makes sense

hope that helps

xx
TP

 

[Blizzard]

WOW at that piccy of you and James! James is such a dude I love him!

You two must be so fit! It really does look so exciting!

 

[_April_]

Thanks so MUCH!!

I am going to sit and work it out when I have time on Friday afternoon.

Might PM if I get confused or stuck lol

Thanks again

 

[TrecPeter]

[ QUOTE ]
WOW at that piccy of you and James! James is such a dude I love him!

You two must be so fit! It really does look so exciting!

[/ QUOTE ]

He's probably more fit then me

xx
TP