Team GBR put in solid performances in both the Senior and Young Riders at the European TREC Championships of 2010. Top riders from across Europe made the trip to the picturesque mining town of St Stefan Ob Leoben in Austria to compete against each other at the Championships.
Low Branches – photo courtesy of www.cambstrec.co.uk
Britain’s senior team comprised Hilary Barnard riding Rhinefield Impulse, Caroline Brammer on Rinaldo, Anna Weston on Caspian the Wizard and Kathryn Bean on Millicent Millie. The team, managed by Chef d’Equipe, Anthea Kendrick finished in a respectable sixth place behind the French who yet again proved worthy European Champions. Affiliated British Riding Club member Anna Weston was the highest place Brit, finishing in 17th place.
Did you know..? The sport of BHS TREC (Techniques de Randonnee Equestre de Competition) was brought to the UK by The British Horse Society in 1998.
Britain also had two senior riders competing as individuals, Jackie Bennett on Bradley and Julian Brown on a German hired horse, Maurice. It was a challenging week for Julian who managed to hire a horse at the last minute, as his own horse, Eagle, was unable to compete.
Young Rider Chef d’Equipe, Cheryl Wilson kept her riders – Rebecca Harris, Sarah Pollard, Eleanor Barnard and Anne Bolton – under her wing for the week, setting them tasks to ensure that all members were familiar with the Austrian maps and legends that they were to experience throughout the POR phase of the competition.
The team finished in a commendable sixth place, with Rebecca Harris, on her Icelandic pony Rispa fra Kalfholti putting in a particularly strong POR phase, coming home in less than four hours, to hold an overnight position of fourth place.
Special thanks must go to Horseware who provided team clothing to all members of the GBR TREC squad; Just Chaps, who provided Team GB with reflective half chaps; and Equi Safety, who provided extra fluorescent strips. Thanks also to the avid BHS TREC supporters who travelled out to Austria to accompany the teams and show their support for this increasingly popular sport.
Full results from the European TREC Championships are available through the BHS website.
