COMPETING ONLINE
GET SET TO TREC By Jo Monck
T
recisknown as the friendliest equestrian sport to compete in and Ithink that it is for averygoodreason, and
that is it’s greatfun to
do.Indeed, something that we all need abit of at present. Trec originated in France and wasintroduced to the UK by the British Horse Societyin1998, the sport is nowknown as British Trec and is run by Trec GB. Trec competitions normally consistofthree separate phases, mounted orienteering, a demonstration of the horsespaces and an obstacle
course.All usually completed overthe course of one or two days with the highest scoring competitor being declared the winner. Sadly,atpresent with all equestrian sports
having been hit hardbythe Covid pandemic, Trec is no exception and with the seemingly continual lockdowns, to get out to compete in the mounted orienteering phase has been virtually
impossible.Trec, as with nearly all other equestrian sports, has been adapting and running competitions online which is whereIhavebeen discovering this greatsport. Iwas asked to join an online Trec team back
in October.I had certainly heardofTrecbut had neverconsidered taking part, so Iwas really looking forwardtotrying something new. We were given ateamtask each month to completeand Ialso signed up forthe individual tests; in forapenny, in forapound! Surprisingly,the equipment needed
is very simple foronline Trec competing. Cones, poles, jump stands,alength of rope andameasuring tape arereally all that are needed, and of course some patient person to film your test or task from A. My arena became alittle likeanequine playpen as I got to grips with my firstindividual course. Setting up all the obstaclescertainly gets easier the morethatyou do it. Likewater crossings and footbridges, yousimply have to
improvise and imagine that youare crossing or stepping up to cross.I nowhavea beautiful blue blanket as my watercrossing and a greatgatemadeout of two jumps stands and alunge line.Each obstacle is marked out of 10 foreffectiveness,gait and style. Individual testsare called ParcoursenTerrain
Varie,PTV forshort. In each test thereis something newtolearn, some areskills that youwill have used out hacking at some time
or another,probably without reallythinking toomuch about it. Trec reallydoesmakeyou think about it and perfectthese skills. The obstaclesare varied and interesting, bending round cones, one handed starts,gateopening, rein back, immobilityboth mounted and on the ground, an S-bend to name afew. My firstattempt at my individual test was
kind of likea slapstick comedy whereI left atrail of scattered polesand conesbehind me in a
Photo: Gina King
Photo: Gina King
22
FEBRUARY/MARCH2021
Forthe
latestnewsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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