TREC for us Older Nervous Nellies?

[SmartyJones]

I'm a re-rider and only do low level flat work and trails with my connemara cob. I've been invited to go to a Play day Trec meet. I looked at the program and the two things I'm a tad nervous about is the long 75 meter stretch at a canter(cob can buck if in a new situation:eek:) and of course the mounting from off side without a mounting block:rolleyes:-that will never happen at my stage in life without pulling the whole mare over.

The owner running it said it lots of fun and the Play Days are very informal and I'd be in good company with plenty of 50+ folks doing this.

It does sound fun and adds to my Trail Riding which is becoming a little 'ho-hum' these days.

Anyone here of my vintage doing this or am I daft to try it? Does it get the horses all excited?

[No_Angel]

I went to a Trec training day with my TB ex racer, we cantered up the stretch no problem, but got so excited walking back she wouldn't walk down the strip and we went sideways instead:rolleyes:
She was scared of the bridge, I can't mount from the ground, I didn't jump her then, we didn't do the low branches, the only thing she did do was walk through the trailer, and she nearly got stuck as she was the biggest horse there (shes 16.3).
My nervous nelly mum had a wonderful time pootling around on her cob. You didn't have to do anything you didn't feel comfortable with, and it was great fun:)
(in my first le trec competition on sane cob I nearly cut my finger off, trec is a dangerous sport- lol)

[Cazie]

This sounds similar to the fun days we have here.. Fun Rides are really great fun. You shouldn't be cantering in a group of more than 3 for safety reasons, although some on the ride may request they canter together. Could you do the ride and opt out of the canter and the mount. Seems such a shame to miss out just because of those two things. Go for it Girlie It is never as bad as you think it is going to be... famous last words Hehe.

[rubyrubyruby]

Can i just ask where is this play held i really want to go but cant find one near me??
:)
Thanks amy

[palmerlover52]

I say go for it! I'm sure they'll be more than happy with you opting out of whatever you don't want to do....plus, if as you said there will be a lot of more mature riders there, some may not be capable of mounting from the ground (joints and all that) so you may be in good company.

[icegirl]

Id like to encourage you as well.
As a mature and not particularly confident rider, I did a Trec practice earlier this year and it was really good fun.
And they gave me a portable mounting block.:cool:

[Whatanejit]

If you don't want to do it don't do it!!

The obstacles that is - otherwise go - it is great fun!

I would recommend you walk around the obstacles inhand first if you have the opportunity - it makes a huuuuuuuuuuuuge difference when you decide to ride them.

We just trotted through the canter corridor

When it came to cantering the control of paces - Stumpy got very excited as she was a bit spooky at the railings and we left the railings at gallop on a 30 degree angle - yee hah!

Lots of laughs - who cares.

We were afraid of the rope gate as it was a bit too much like electric fencing.

I am crap at real gates so we missed that.

I won't mount from the ground either so didn't do that :D

It really isn't a problem!!

Go and have fun.

[rubysmum]

have been speaking to a couple of TREC enthusisatists [sp] & am keen to have a go - are there any east mids TREC ers who could mentor me a bit- happy to pay petrol costs etc to pick your brains- & can you do TREC on big horses:confused:

[HorseHelen]

of course you can do TREC on BIG horses :)

here's the link to white horse trec group which is a midlands based group that arrange events, brooksby's indoor comp is a good place to start

http://www.white-horse-trec.co.uk/

and here are some pics of me on boo, from an indoor trec comp last year
...

weaving through poles, can be done in walk, trot or canter but more points for canter than walk etc

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k288/horsehelen2000/DSC02199.jpg

small jump with scary cuddly toys underneath

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k288/horsehelen2000/DSC02195.jpg

over a footbridge

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k288/horsehelen2000/DSC02198.jpg

[HorseHelen]

sorry found some more pics

doing the s bend without touching the poles, well trying to anyway

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k288/horsehelen2000/DSC02197.jpg

the canter corridor which we started in canter and then ended up trotting oopps

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k288/horsehelen2000/DSC02196.jpg

and ... heading home after a good day out

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k288/horsehelen2000/DSC02193.jpg

[Skib]

Dont know how it is in Canada - but there is a very elderly endurance rider in the USA who explained that these days she has someone else trot up her horse.
If you are unable to mount from the ground - or are best avoiding it - one would imagine that Trec would make allowances for age and infirmity? It might be worth asking anyway.
Here in the UK, the BHS are emphatic that they make allowances. Though local RIs often dont realise this, one has to ask for oneself.

[Ruskii]

hmm this trec business looks fun ............. :cool:

[rockyrobin]

definitely go for it. I returned to riding 5 yrs ago ( at the ripe old age of 38, having had 2 kids)!! was very nervous about entering a 'competition' I've now completed 2 TREC competitions, 2nd in one & 7th in the other!
They are really good fun, the atmosphere is very relaxed & everyone very helpful & friendly.
As for mounting, at one comp they allowed a lady to use a box. The other point to note is you can leave out anything you dont feel happy with. As the section is timed you would be better off missing out stuff that you think may take you too long.

[popdog]

Go for it, my local EC has TREC introduction days. They are informal and you can leave out any section that you're not sure of. It's super fun and has a great selection of riders, last time I went I met a 55 year old woman on a 4 year old Exmoor pony that she'd broken in herself :cool:

Go and have lots of fun, and then tell us all about it :D:D:D