TREC

Go anywhere do anything…on horseback.

Team members in the pairs class using their map reading skills

  Taking part in this sport will broaden both you

and your horse's horizons - by exploring

  Welcome to the fun of TREC.

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Overview

TREC is a relatively new sport in equestrian circles and one that every horse and rider can enjoy.  It is not discipline-specific but covers many of the skills that we should be using all the time.  The emphasis is on having fun with your horse!

TREC is an acronym for Technique de Randonnee Equestre de Competition, which translates roughly to Technical Trail riding Competition. Developed in France some 30 years ago, it combines aspects of trail riding, orienteering, cross country, working riding class, hunter trails and basic flatwork. The sport requires versatility and training; it is designed to test a horse/rider combination through a whole range of activities rather than focussing on any one discipline.

The TREC horse must be at least 4 years old and in reasonably fit condition. He can be shod or unshod and must have all necessary vaccinations up to date.

The TREC rider can be any age, riders younger then 16 have to do Phase A with a partner who is over 16. Some events offer “Assisted” Classes where riders may take a partner who is on foot, on bicycle or on a horse!

The competition is made up of three phases:

A.      Orienteering on horseback, following a route on a map, at speeds predetermined by the organisers

B.      Control of Gait – to demonstrate that a rider can exercise a degree of influence over the horse first in the canter, then in a walk following a straight line course

C.      Cross country, including some elements where the rider leads the horse rather than rides

Opening and closing a farm gate

TREC Phases

TREC is made up of three phases all designed to test a horse and riders through various situations or challenges one might find whilst out riding.

Phase A:          (Mounted orienteering – POR) Riders are given a map of a course through the countryside and have to follow the map to cover the course in a certain amount of time. It’s really like going on an outride with a map. The pace is usually a brisk walk, trot and a bit of cantering. Speeds are set for various stages of the ride, either 3km/h, 6km/h or up to (but no faster than) 12km/h. No assistance is allowed, unless the rider enters as a pair. Checkpoints will be found along the way where marshals will stamp the riders record cards. 240 points are available and you lose one point for each minute you are over or under the optimum time at each checkpoint.

Phase B:          (Control of Gaits – CG) This is intended to demonstrate the willingness of the horse to be controlled, and the ability of the rider to walk at a rapid speed and cater at a slow speed along a given track. A track is created as a reasonably level lane that is between 2 – 2.2m wide and 50 – 150m long. At lower levels the competitors may be asked to trot rather than canter. Distances will be shorter and timing more lenient.

Phase C:          (PTV)This phase is intended to demonstrate the appropriateness of the horse for trekking, hacking and trail riding buy showing his temperament and physical fitness. It is also intended to demonstrate the overall horsemanship of the rider. The cross country is a route of 1 – 5km with between 10 – 25 obstacles to be carried out at a set speed which may be 3 – 12km/h. The Route will be displayed on a map before the start and competitors may walk the course. Though out the course there are numbered stations and degree of difficulty of the set task depends on the level of riders. None of the tasks are compulsory and a rider may choose note to attempt the obstacle or task. This results in points lost, not elimination. In the interest of safety, competitors must present the horse to each station judge before continuing even if they choose not to complete the set task. Failure to present the horse (i.e. missing a station without informing the judge) is considered an uncorrected error of course and does result in elimination (from Phases C only)

Some of the tasks you may encounter:

                                       Jumping a ditch                                                  Negotiating the S-bends, without touching a pole

Levels

TREC is divided into various levels depending on the difficulty of the course.

Scoring

Phase A:          A total of 240 points is allocated to each rider and penalties are deducted for time penalties.

Phase B:          Up to 60 points can be earned by cantering as slowly as possible and walking back as fast as possible. All points are lost should the Horse step out of the marked area or if he/she breaks into a trot.

Phase C:          Up to 250 points can be earned by completing 25 stations (10 points per station) of the Cross country obstacle course and points are taken off for various reasons. Should the rider wish to skip an obstacle 0 pointer will be marks for that particular obstacle. Should the Horse or Rider fall 0 Points will be marked for that obstacle, 2 falls in this Phase results in Elimination form the Phase and they rider cannot continue the course. Elimination can result if the horse refuses and obstacle 3 times.

A competitor leading her horse down a drop

A competitor riding up a bank

Equipment

NB Hard hat and medical armband are required for all Phases of the event.

Clothing

Compulsory:

Recommended:

Tack

Approved Tack:

Forbidden Tack:

Other Equipment

Compulsory:

Recommended:

Forbidden:

Negotiating water

Definitions & Terms

TREC:               An acronym for Technique de Randonnee Equestr de Competition, which loosely translates to Technical trail riding competition.

POR:                An abbreviation of the French phrase Le Parcours d’Orentation at de Regulante, meaning the Orienteering Course.

PTV:                 An abbreviation of the French phrase Le Parcours en Terrain Varie, meaning the Cross Country Obstacle Course.

CG:                  Abbreviation of Control of Gaits, Phase B in a TREC Event

Record Card:   A card or sheet of paper that the rider is given at the start of Phase A. It is carried for the duration of that phase and Checkpoint Officials will mark off or stamp or punch to indicate that the rider has successfully passed the checkpoint.

Map Room:      A tent, marquee or room where the rider will go before the start of Phase A to copy the course onto their maps.

Hi-viz Vest:       A loose bib-type vest made of breathable fabric in a bright neon colour.

Check point:    A point on Phase A, manned by an official, where riders must stop to have their record cards validated. Sometimes a 5 – 15 minute rest is imposed.

Ticket point:     an unmanned point on Phase A, where riders mark, stamp or punch their record cards themselves. No rest stop is imposed, it is merely to serve as a route check.

Station:            Another name for an obstacle or task on Phase C.

A competitor riding her horse down a bank

General Rules: 2007 TREC RULES

Rules as per the current TREC Rulebook and general rules detailed below.

Some events may additionally have rules specific to their event and circumstances.

1. TREC Competitions are open to all horses and ponies over four years of age.
2. Competitors do not have to be members of any affiliated Societies.
3. Riders under the age of sixteen on day of competition may only compete in Pairs classes and must be accompanied by a rider of 16 years or older. Pairs ride together for Phase A and separately for Phase B and Phase C.
4. All riders are to wear protective headgear of, or equivalent to, British, European, American, Australian and New Zealand standards, which shall include a retaining harness, secured to the shell at more than two places, and shall be worn with the chin strap fastened and secured. Protective headgear is compulsory at all times that a rider is mounted. All peaks must be flexible or loose or be designed by the manufacturer to collapse, crumple or break off on impact.  No other form of headgear may be worn.
5. The identification number issued by the Organizing Committee, normally in the form of a vest, shall be worn by the rider.
6. Riders may choose to wear a body protector during any phase of the competition. If worn, a professionally manufactured body protector designed and produced for riding cross country, must be worn. It is strongly advised that the body protector chosen should impede neither flexibility nor balance of the rider.
7. Riders must wear suitable riding footwear.
8. Standing Martingales and other fixed reins are forbidden.
9. Whips must not exceed 75cms. Spurs if worn must be rounded, not exceeding 3.5cms in length and pointed downwards.
10. Mobile phones may be carried for use in emergency.
11. Riders in TREC competitions must wear fluorescent clothing during Phase A. The minimum requirement is clearly visible fluorescent strips (or garment) on the rider's torso. It is strongly recommended that this is also reflective, and is supplemented by a fluorescent/reflective hatband.
12. Riders will be required to carry Medical Cards. They must be filled in with the bearers details as specified in the Medical Card and be carried by competitors so as to be clearly visible at all times during all Phases. It is recommended that the Medical Card be carried in an armband, in a pouch or pocket on the body protector, or strapped to a riding boot.
13. ID will also be required to be carried on the horse during Phase A. This should be visible, and should consist of (minimum) competitor number, and emergency telephone number for event.
14. The decisions of the Organiser, and the Judges are final and must be complied with at all times. Competitors may be eliminated from the competition for any of the following reasons:

Loss of record card during Phase A

Uncorrected error of course on Phase C

Excessive use of the whip

Dangerous riding

Abusive language

A competitor leading her horse up a bank

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