Any One Done LE TREC?

[Torny]

Hi,

Gosh I havn't been on here for a while, but to get to the point.

My friend has just recently asked me if I would compete her 17 h'h Anglo Arab in Le Trec next year. I didn't know what to say, I would like to compete him and have been curious about Le Trec but don't know a lot about it.

I've just been on the BHS website reading up on it, but was wondering if anyone here competes in Le Trec?
If so,

Is it Fun?

What Level do you compete at and what does it involve?

What can you tell me about going in pairs? (as would be my first time and would rather get my bearings before going out alone)

What sort of training and Fitness work do you do in preperation for TREC and the length of training period.

What do you need to feed?

And any of tips you peeps might have??

Any imfomation and help would be most greatful!!!! Thanks :D

[Showjumper]

I haven't started yet but am off to watch my first training evening tomorrow night, to try and learn what I need to be working with Dolly towards :D

www.trec-uk.com has a brilliant forum as well as lots of information.

[Yann]

I haven't started yet, but will be doing next weekend.

It does sound like fun, it's all very informal and what it is in effect is a hacking competition. There's no dress or turnout standard and so long as your horse is fit and has 4 legs you can have a go. I think at the basic level you ride for 2-3 hours at various speeds, so as long as your horse is fit enough to do that then you're fine.

There are 3 phases, orienteering, where you follow a timed set route with checkpoints, control of paces, where you have to canter as slowly as possible along a corridor and walk back down it as fast as possible, and an obstacle course. The obstacles include things like gates, water, leading through gaps, small jumps, going under low branches and that sort of thing. Rio's speciality is immobility, where you have to leave your horse stood and walk away, we've been practising that;)
If you miss anything or make a mess of it you aren't eliminated, you just don't get any points for that particular bit, which makes it all a bit less pressurised.

You can enter in pairs, I've teamed up with Bebe, so we'll be doing the orienteering phase together, it's nicer to ride out in company and make a hash of it together:D

[Torny]

Thanks peeps! ;)

And good luck to you both with entering yourselves and horses for Le Trec :D let me know how it goes!