Trec?

Jnhuk

Jnhuk

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Have signed up for a introduction training to TREC at a local RC and don't have a scoobie about anything TREC. Have heard that is great fun though so looking forward to it.

Anyone on here take part in Trec? Just doesn't seem to feature a lot in reports etc
 
I am a member of a Trec Riding Club, go on training holidays / days and competitions! It really is a fab sport, I love it, I have gained confidence, a calm out going horse and lots of new friends.

Have a read up here:

http://www.trecgb.com

Happy to answer any questions you may have, I am however only at Level 1 so some more experienced Treccies may give you a better insight.
 
I once wrote a TREC report on here. The only thread I've ever started which got 0 replies :( It had photos and everything. See: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...rec-Report-long-rambly&highlight=Newarks+TREC

Aaaaanyway, yea it's a bit of a laugh. I used to quite enjoy doing winter TRECs (control of paces - slow cantering / fast walking - and PTV - the obstacles) occasionally, and I've done a couple of full TRECs at L2. It's the sort of sport that any well mannered horse should be able to do.
 
Thanks JFTD - seen someone as resurrected your trec post!

Mahoganybay - haven't a clue at what the levels mean etc... so any info good. Have briefly looked at the Trec website but prefer to see how things work in person.

Will let you know how it goes on Saturday but doubt there will be photos as OH is also taking part in the same training.
 
I've done a few, they are great fun (as long as you can read a map), and the people are generally friendly and not uber competitive.

I'd like to do some more, but my horse doesn't really like doing the orienteering part alone, no idea why, he's fine about doing pretty much anything else by himself.
Pairs partners seam to be really hard to come by.

The levels basically dictate how complicated the obstacle phase is and how many kms the orienteering phase is, and how complex the speed requirements for each section of the orienteering will be.
If you are a first timer I would stick to level 1 (or level 2 if you are brave and are practiced in calculating how fast you need to go over a distance to achieve a particular kmph).

e.g. Level 1 you will be out on the orienteering for 1-2hrs and probably double that for Level 2 and so on.


Best thing is that you have to try really hard to get eliminated. If you really mess something up, or don't want to do one of the obstacles you can just score a zero for that part.
 
I really enjoy the training for Trec competitions, more than the actual competition! I have done 2 full trec competitions, one as a pair and one by myself and some indoor ones.

You need to look at the rule book to see what the obstacles are, and then practice at home. It is amazing how quickly you can get a horse to stop and ~"stay".

For the orienteering part, you need to go out with your map and a compass, for a route you know, and get used to following the map and using the compass. Also things like counting the hedgerows, and taking notice of the fields and contours on the map. To start with, don't worry about times and pace, get the navigation part right first.
 
I am a TREC rider, Level 3 about to go to Level 4 this year, was on Team GB for the World Young Rider TREC championship in Italy in September, so I can help with any questions especially in regards to going up the levels.
Training wise you are probably likely to practise PTV (obstacles) and CoP (paces)

Level wise (summer shows) mostly indicate how far you go (as mentioned) and it gets more technical, as Level 3 and 4 have grid references bearing sections. Level 3 I am generally out for 6 hours and Level 4 is a bit more depending on the location as sometimes just more technical.
For myself I just say don't worry about speeds, you will get to work out what pace you go after a few attempts, lots of people mark on maps where they are supposed to be in a certain amount of time - I have never done that and done fine winning 3/4 Level 3 TREC's in the UK last year. Orangehorse describes well what is needed skill wise for the orienteering for L1 and 2.

PTV obstacles. Best way is to look at the rules and see what they are (the training will have most) they are great fun all horses can do it! Control of paces is fun generally on a flat surface (but have had hills) so fast walk and slow canter, all I would say here is work on it! My first TREC of the season last year I got 24/60 without breaking which wasn't brill so worked on it over summer and in Italy for the champs I got 57/60!
TREC is a fantastic sport as everyone can do it, though summer TREC s are all about how well you can map read! (Winter series doesn't have orienteering)

Any more questions just ask!
 
Thank you all as very useful tips.

Hubby also rides and trying to see if he'll get interested in trec so it could be fun to do things as a pair at first!

Off to go and have a look at the rules re PTV obstacles & interested to see how we get on with COP
 
It's great fun (have only done a few Level 1's). I have always done pairs as I am ubercrap at map reading. My friesian was brilliant at the control of paces and just stuck her head down and ate when standing in the circle. I did another one last year with the new boy - a young ISH who events - and it was.....interesting. Far too exciting but we didn't do any practice beforehand.

It is something that your husband would probably enjoy as it's quite technical and you can improve so much with practice at the PTV phase.
 
Well yesterday was great fun. We were given an basic explanation of Trec then had the COP and a good selection of the PTV obstacles.

The trainer took us through the obstacles and explained how they were marked and we had fun practising. There were bending cones, immobility circle, ditch, corridors (two types), a rein back corridor, hanging branches thing, Z and S bends, small jump and a gate to open and close. My other half was most amused that my horse ducked when we went through the hanging branches at a canter!

At the end, we had a mini competition of six of the obstacles stringed together and that certainly put another dimension on it and you got penalty points if you over shot or circled between them which made things interesting.

Turns out the GB champs are fairly local to me in August so going to take this opportunity to volunteer and hope to watch and learn from folks that know what they are doing.
 
Ahh thanks for the update and glad you enjoyed it. It really is a wonderful sport, I took over the care of my daughters competion horse, 16.2 IDx, BSJA / Eventer etc and needed something to occupy his mind and build my confidence with him. It has done all of that.

I like the fact that although a competion, it is more about personal goals, I like the support and encouragement from other riders, and it is so down to earth.

Am seriously impressed with you canting under the low branches, well done you. The first training camp I went on there was 5 of us in a lesson, and every single pony/horse ducked going on the branches, so funny to watch. ����
 
Mahoganybay said:
Ahh thanks for the update and glad you enjoyed it. It really is a wonderful sport, I took over the care of my daughters competion horse, 16.2 IDx, BSJA / Eventer etc and needed something to occupy his mind and build my confidence with him. It has done all of that.

I like the fact that although a competion, it is more about personal goals, I like the support and encouragement from other riders, and it is so down to earth.

Am seriously impressed with you cantering under the low branches, well done you. The first training camp I went on there was 5 of us in a lesson, and every single pony/horse ducked going on the branches, so funny to watch.
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