Starting out

[solomon]

Thinking of taking up trec. What's the best and worst things about it and why do people like it? Think my boy might be OK to do it.

[racaille]

Well, assuming it's all the same as here, where it was invented, it is a relaxed, friendly competition - at least, at fun levels! I think people like it because it is an honest test of the rider/horse partnership where trust between the couple is essential ( dismounted immobility, for example).

Most people would say the worst of the comp is the orienteering phase (although I like it!) as there are umpteen ways to get it wrong! You have to be really careful in copying the course from the master map, a tiny slip of the pen can cost you 100 points when you miss a control point!

The best of TREC for most people is that you don't have to do anything you don't fancy in the PTV. If you don't jump, for example (not sure it's good for Pete?) you just let the obstacle judge know and pass it by. And frankly, if you mess up the COP (like Paco does ) it can still be OK - even at last year's championships there were people in the top 10 who had a zero in their scores!

[haffyfan]

It seems like the arena Trek i'm hoping to go to in a few weeks, doesn't involve the orienteering phase and in the beginners classes no control of paces either so just obstacles.

There is also an inhand section (which horses under 4 can also take part in) andsounds great for horses like Pete, if he's having a patch when you can't ride, or unridden companions who still want to get out and about.