The only experience I have of it is a go we had at PC camp. And Frankly, I didnt really like it. We didnt get to do the orienteering on horseback (to many little ones) and some of the obedience stuff was quite boring and (generaly opinion of the people that did it) pointless.
Such as leaving your horse in a circle and praying it doesn't move. Fortunately there was a poo in there and Dipity just stood and sniffed. Cantering between 2 poles on the ground didnt test anyone, it was really easy, and the control of paces thing was quite good, but demands a high level of dressage so few could do it well. (Dips is quite good at cantering slowly, but I had my spurs on and her kimblewick in to help send her on yet collect her up to be able to do it.)
So from my (little) experience, I have little desire to do any more Le TREC. However, I am sure others must like it (or else it wouldnt be so popular!) so to be fair, each to his own!
i'm hoping to particiopate in 2003 - went aloong to a training day in August to see what it's all about. Friend of mine who lives in Wiltshire has done a few this year and loves it - wants us to do pairs next year so should be fun.
Tasha - sounds like you didn't do the "real mccoy". But i guess it's not to everyones taste - i like it as it's the nearest thing to competing that i ever want to do and it's "fun" which to me is what owning a horse is all about.
This should explain more I would LOVE to have a go looks excellent. Will have to get lots of practice in and try and find a local one next year. Want to do it in Pairs with my mate Emma.
Tasha - echo Murphs. I think you might find that if you entered a proper BHS TREC event, you might come away with a different view of it.
I went to an unaffiliated TREC because a friend was doing it and wanted a partner for the pairs and, quite frankly, they'd messed about with the format to the point that it was pretty pointless.
On the other hand, at Blaston show they had a "handy pony" class which was based on a TREC format (control of gaits and 10-obstacle PTV) and that was excellent fun and a real challenge.
Then again, at the DalesFans summer camp this year, I ran a TREC-based competition, and everyone found it very enjoyable.
And you CAN train the immobility - I have. I generally work on 30 seconds in training, although I have sometimes insisted on a full minute.
Still, as you say, its each to their own. I can never see myself beign in the least bit turned on by dressage, whereas others clearly think it's the be all and end all of riding. That, for me, is one of the joys of the horsey world - the sheer diversity of it all, and the fact that if one thing ain't your cup of tea, there's bound to be something else you can do which is.
I wasnt trying to slag TREC off, or turn anyone against it, but that is my view of the sport.
However I do think that it is good in that anyone can have a go, and no one will look down on you (as such) if you dont have expensive tack/horses/clothing.
Personally I compete for the adrenaline, I get loads from jumping and still quite a bit from dressage (cant beat that feeling of self carriage) but none from Le TREC. I guess that's why its not my cup of tea.
As I said before, each to his own. I dont like it but I am sure (and I dont mind that) many others do.
Don't worry, Tasha: I didn't think for one moment that you were trying to slag it off. I was just saying that, based on your description, what you've done and didn't like was somewhat less than the "full monty".
For me, the orienteering is the best part, and you say you didn't get to do that at all. To get those timings spot on, you've got to be looking and thinking and measuring and reacting to your horse's mood all the way and all the time. You have to be "in tune" with your horse, and know when to push on and when to hold back. And you have to be able to read the map and the ground. Not exactly adrenaline-pumping stuff, though, so I guess even if you did a full affiliated TREC you might not be too keen on it. LOL
For my money, the best equestrian adrenaline-inducer by far is battle re-enactments. Did you see us at Alton Millennium Festival? We only had a handful of horses there for that one, including my Whisky (it was her first battle). But when we have a full turnout, with a dozen or more cavalry on each side - WOW! That's quite something!
I don't think it appeals much to people who are ambitious at dressage or showjumping or eventing, but I'd love to have a go. I think the nearest place to me is probably Lulworth EC - if anyone's in reach as that, perhaps they'd come too?
I'm off to Tilford and Rushmoor in April, to watch a few friends compete, I watched last year as well and enjoyed it. I hope to be competing next year when my boy is ready, he is only three, but I still go and enjoy watching. What area do you go to?
TREC is what I hoped to do this year with my mare, Leah. What attracted me to it in the first place was that you could have a go just for fun or really go for it seriously or anywhere inbetween.
To do the control of gaits phase perfectly would require a very well balanced, well schooled horse. The corridor requires the horse to move very straight, 18 in does give a lot of leeway! The labyrinth needs the horse to be supple on both reins etc. etc. So I think as a competition it gives you alot to get your teeth into.
At the upper levels the XC fences are plenty big enough: 1m hedges, 1m tree trunks, 1.5m wide ditches 1.3m drops, staircases up and down, enough adrenaline for me!! And at level 1, where I will be starting there's enough to build my confidence up
The draw of ending up with a good partnership with a very 'handy' horse was what draws me to the competition. I just hope I can get to have a go this year. I have a couple of horses to try in the next couple of weeks so we shall see. It makes me kind of sad though, Leah would have loved it too I'm sure.
No, I haven't done one yet either. I have a friend who has though. She went on her own, but really wanted to do it as a pair so she wasn't alone during the orienteering. The organisers were able to pair her up with someone else in the same boat; she had a really good time! Can't wait to have a go myself!
I believe there is driving TREC now too!!
There are events all over I think. The BHS affiliated ones are listed on their Web page.
I would LOVE to have a go looks excellent. Will have to get lots of practice in and try and find a local one next year. Want to do it in Pairs with my mate Emma.
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