Le Trec is the fastest growing equine sport in the UK and probably the world. It consists of three varying phase, designed to test both rider and horse.
So what is Le Trec?
There are three components to a LE TREC competition. Each part has a fancy French name but each is basically intended to show a different aspect of control of the horse. You can opt to do any section on foot or ridden, depending on the rules of the competition. The three parts are as follows (although you may not do them in this order);
Paces: a control of gait through a narrow corridor, one example is that you have to canter as slow as you can over a minimum of 50 metres and then turn and walk back as fast as you can. Break gait or go over the corridor marking and you lose all possible points on that segment!
PVT Obstacles: The second segment is a set of obstacles ranging from L-shaped poles to bridges and archways and a gate to open and close preferably without letting go of it. The obstacles usually vary in levels of difficulty. There is usually an option to leave out any obstacle which you feel would waste your time as there is an optimum time for completing the whole course.
Orienteering is the 3rd segment which could include something like a ten mile hack following a planned route- which should be completed in an optimum time. In a normal competition you have to copy the route from a master copy onto a blank map, and can include roadwork.
For more information visit www.trec-uk.com
TREC-UK is an independent web site providing help and information about the equestrian sport of TREC. TREC is a challenge of horse and rider combination; aiming to prove all aspects of skills needed when trail riding; navigation across different terrain, fitness of horse and rider, and ability to deal with natural obstacles.
Check out our January 2010 issue for lots more information on Le Trec and BHS Trec. There is also the chance to see a report from a training session, including lots of photographs, and opinions from Trec first timers.
