TREC; has anyone done it?

[Elfin]

I was wondering about doing TREC because they are doing it at the stables soon I think. I was told about it by some people who have done it before and they said it was really fun. Has anyone done it here, and wants to tell me how they found it. Any hints or tips would be good too!:) :p

[intouch]

YES! I did it a couple of years ago on my friend's horse, it was great fun! I'm not really into competitions so I thought it would be less competitive - but believe me, its just as cut-throat as any other comp!
Having said that-why don't you pair up with someone who has already tried it, then you will not get lost so easily if you are not experienced at orienteering.
And practice the slow canter/fast walk bit - can't remember what you call it - mine was perfect except he hesitated as he went through the flags, broke canter for half a stride, so we lost ALL the marks for the exercise.
Some of the things you have to do are not easy so find out exactly what they are and PRACTICE! You'll have fun.

[ilovebacara]

I havent done it but i have got one coming up on 5th may and i am really loking forward to it! I have already started gettin ready! I am pairing up with my friend that almost has a natural ability to get from A to B just using the sun!! intouch on the XC/obstacle bit do you have to do it one at a time or do the pair get to go together! Its just cos my friends horse isnt too sure about trailers but my horse is fine so we were wondering if she could follow me thru?? I no that it is a long time away yet but i am excited!!:p

[intouch]

There's info about le trec on www.bhs.org.uk, sorry can't remember about pairs - if you were lucky maybe the trailer won't be on your course.

[tasha]

I did it a year ago duirng Pony Club camp. Didn't think much of it as I would have rather been doing a bit more of the normal activities at camp-XC, etc. Also a lot of people had horses that stuck their noses up at having to do 'grown-up's handy pony' so didn;t enjoy it.

Whilst some of the things were good-like the slow canter/fast walk bit-for control, etc., others were pretty dumb-like leaving the horse in the circle and praying he stood still. Although Dipity did this (she sniffed a poo which kept her quiet) my sister's pony ate grass-and lost marks. How can you train a horse to stand still and not eat grass without being able to talk or touch them??? Why you would need to do that escapes me.

This year at camp, due to popular demand, Le Trek was dropped. Although we had to do the orienteering but on foot. (we had to do it on foot even if we had done the whole caboodle-PC safety and the like)

Tasha

[Elfin]

Thanks for the site info. intouch, that really helped, I had a good nosy round it! When we do the orienteering bit, we have to go with someone responsible, like Marie (she's 19) because it's the stables horses, not your own. But I hope I get to do it, I love things like it! Thanks ilovebacara and Tasha, and good luck, bacara!! :)

[muzzy]

did someone at the stables say something about leading up and down a hill Elfin?! Or am I making it up as usual?!:p

[Elfin]

Yes, your horse has to walk behind you, he's not alowd to overtake you. He has to trust you!

[ilovebacara]

ooohh My horsey follows me everywhere so the bit goin down the hill should be okay but the bit where they ave to stand still for 10 secs is gonna b hard cos she will probs just follow me strate out!! O well i will get practise in :)

[Elfin]

Aw thats so sweet! I wonder (if I do, do it) which horse or pony I should ride?? hmmmmmmm??

[RoxR]

A couple of years ago the bridleways group I belonged to ran some practise classes after giving a really good talk about it. I went to the classes and really enjoyed them alot.

The thing I liked about it most was that the training involves developing the horse's behaviour so that you can safely encounter just about anything when out hacking. It didn't matter if we went on to compete, we learned how to open gates, cross wooden bridges, manoever carefully, accurately and above all safely in tight situations.

Reading a map is a very useful skill for anybody, while control of speed is also proof of who is in charge!

It develops a good partnership between you and horse, and to add an element of competition is fun and is just the icing on the cake! Most importantly, there are no advantages to particular size, shape or breed of horse - a shetland can compete on exactly the same level as a TB and a cob!

I never got to compete because at the time I didn't have a trailer (we could hack to the training sessions). I did go to watch a competition though and was quite envious of everyone - they did it over two days, and camped overnight, having a fab time!

I'm hoping to take it up with Roxy but at the moment it is closer for me to take her to western riding clinics - a lot of the training especially for trail classes, is very similar.

You'll have a great time! :)

[Elfin]

Oh I do hope I can do it! I must ask about it tomorrow! :D

[muzzy]

Yeah we must ask!! ;)I think I will need to deffinately practise some aspects of it though...and my map reading skills leave a lot to be desired!!:D