Oooh

[ceej]

Get you with a le trec topic!

ps. what exactly is le trec?

[Blonde Donkey]

something french like tests for behaviour and thing i think

[haffyfan]

Hopefully racialle will join as it's her speciality. I'm not 100% sure either but they held a Trec comp in my village today so thought I'd add it. I'm determined to try it though as it looks fun.

[kateflashy]

its a 3 part comp you have to do orianteering (sp) , a cross country course , and then a sort of obstacle course ,going under low bars and opening gates

[minnie]

Great explanation kateF
thanks....prob helps that you live in France tho......is this classed as cheating PMSL ;D

[kateflashy]

yep its pretty big over here though too complicated for me id get lost in the french countryside somewhere

[Maes Seren]

I want to have a go at it, i hack out, when on holiday, with a Le Trec rider and his riding school obviously! But hes always saying that hes been here and there and how good it is.

I always practise the canter as slow as you can and walk as fast as possible ... Gems fab at that!

XC phase, the jumps are optional but you do get penalised for not jumping them...

Orienteering would be my hardest phase i reckon!

[zara]

One of my "claims to fame" is that when I was 13 I was the "Sheffield School Girls Orienteering Champion"! I also came 13th in an international event woo hoo! Unfortunately that is 30 years ago. Would love to have a go at Le Trec but sadly AJ and I don't do jumping so wold be penalised, we could do the very slow canter tho' Zx

[Maes Seren]

Im the same Zara, me and Gem dont 'do' jumping...

Unfortunately i tried Orienteering once with a sports thing i went too when i was younger, i got completely lost!!! Only way i could do Trec is do it in pairs, but not with either of my 2 closest mates from uni!! - Were all abit orienteeringly challenged ;D

[gnuton]

Le Trec has made it's way over the Atlantic. I was just talking to someone who competed in one recently. They seem to be encouraging it in the Pony Clubs.

It sounds like a really fun time.

[racaille]

I LURVE Trec! ;D It's great fun and everyone- yes, everyone - can do it. It is big here in France but the BHS are really trying to encourage it in the UK too as it is open to all, even those that don't 'do' jumping!
There are three phases: the POR, which is map reading on horseback. But here (and I think in the UK too) you can do starter ones where the course is marked on the ground for you so you can't get lost. At higher levels you copy the route from a master map and the idea is that you follow it so closely that you arrive at all the checkpoints on the right path and also (often) have to find markers along the way.
The second bit is the control of paces: slow canter/fast walk, and much harder than it sounds!
But it's the PTV that is the hilarious bit. There are (usually) 16 'difficulties' to negotiate. You can opt out of any of them and will get a zero out of 10, but you will not be eliminated. So you don't have to jump! Other obstacles may include low branches, a wooden bridge, water, stairs, immobility, 'wrong' side mounting, chicane, jumping down/up, opening and shutting a gate etc, things that you might encounter in the countryside.
You can do it in pairs or sometimes in teams and the good thing is that it's great fun and very friendly.
I'm doing one on Sunday in a pair with my daughter, just a little 15km and 70cm jumps. But I know the area where it is and we are likely to be sent into the pine forest where navigation is a beast. Last time I did one there, over 25km, I arrived two metres too soon at a checkpoint in the trees and lost 30 points. I was so peeved!
Anyway, am happy to help with any questions!

[ceej]

I think it sounds absolutely brilliant fun.... ;D

[racaille]

*Sigh* I was hoping that long explanation would earn me just one little karma point at least ...*shuffles off despondently* .....

[Maes Seren]

How do you give karma? Id love to give you a karma racaille. ;D Great explaination anyhow!

[ceej]

sorry dar - you are absolutely right of course...you do deserve one and here you go...

Mea - you click on 'exalt' under themembers name - 'smite' takes it away...

[racaille]

Ooooh, THANK you!! I am so excited ..... ;D

[finefilly]

the map reading part would flummox me! can you take a Sat Nav? lol. I took part in endurance but that is usually well marked and you get a map and talk round so i can just about get round without getting lost! Usually have my OH keeping me on the right track though! ;D

[Becca]

ooo i did one at the old riding school when i first got bernie, we did fine till the obsticals and bernie not liking being alone took me leaning forwad to go under a washing line as "lets gallop a lap of honour round the field 3 times" entertaining everyone watching of course

think he would be great at it now tho

[Maes Seren]

Haha typical cob that, proper character!!! ;D

[flash7]

*giggles madly at becca's post*