Techniques de Randonnée Équestre de Compétition
Encyclopedia
Trec or Le Trec, short for the French Techniques de Randonnée Équestre de Compétition is a equestrian discipline
designed to test horse and rider. With origins in France, the sport has spread through Europe, and was introduced to the UK by the British Horse Society
(BHS) in 1998. Trec competition consists of three separate events - mounted orienteering
, a demonstration of control of the horse's paces and an obstacle course - all completed over the course of one or two days, and points scored, with the highest scoring being declared the event winner.
where riders copy a route from a marked map onto their own map, and follow this route at a speed determined by the organisers. The length of the route varies according to the level of the competition, ranging from 12 km at beginner levels up to 45 km at championship levels. There are checkpoints
along the route, which are not marked on the map, these are designed to ensure that the route is ridden at the correct speed and that horses have sufficient rest along the route. There are also un-manned ticket points on the route where the rider must stamp their own record card before proceeding.
A number of items of essential kit must be carried or worn:
Riders start the POR with 240 points, and the aim is to complete the phase without losing points. The main ways of losing points are:
and then in walk. The rider must canter the horse as slowly as possible along a marked corridor, which is 2 m wide and up to 150 m long, and then turn around and walk the horse back as fast as possible. There are up to 60 points available on this stage, depending on how slowly the horse canters and how fast he walks. If the horse leaves the corridor or breaks into another pace, the score is zero.
There are up to 10 points available for each obstacle, these points are broken down into:
Penalties (from -3 to -1 for carelessness, brutality or dangerous riding) can also be deducted from the score as appropriate.
If the time allowed is exceeded, time penalties are deducted:
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
designed to test horse and rider. With origins in France, the sport has spread through Europe, and was introduced to the UK by the British Horse Society
British Horse Society
The British Horse Society is a membership-based equine charity, with a stated vision of "a society which provides a strong voice for horses and people and which spreads awareness through support, training and education"...
(BHS) in 1998. Trec competition consists of three separate events - mounted orienteering
Mounted orienteering
Mounted orienteering is the practice of orienteering while riding a horse or other riding animal.-History:Mounted orienteering was an important function of cavalry units and today remains an important skill for mounted search and rescue.-Competitive sport:...
, a demonstration of control of the horse's paces and an obstacle course - all completed over the course of one or two days, and points scored, with the highest scoring being declared the event winner.
Phase One: Parcours d'Orientation et de Regularite (POR)
The first phase consists of mounted orienteeringMounted orienteering
Mounted orienteering is the practice of orienteering while riding a horse or other riding animal.-History:Mounted orienteering was an important function of cavalry units and today remains an important skill for mounted search and rescue.-Competitive sport:...
where riders copy a route from a marked map onto their own map, and follow this route at a speed determined by the organisers. The length of the route varies according to the level of the competition, ranging from 12 km at beginner levels up to 45 km at championship levels. There are checkpoints
Control point (orienteering)
A control point is a marked waypoint used in orienteering and related sports such as rogaining and adventure racing. It is located in the competition area; marked both on an orienteering map and in the terrain; and described on a control description sheet...
along the route, which are not marked on the map, these are designed to ensure that the route is ridden at the correct speed and that horses have sufficient rest along the route. There are also un-manned ticket points on the route where the rider must stamp their own record card before proceeding.
A number of items of essential kit must be carried or worn:
- Hard hatHard hatA hard hat is a type of helmet predominantly used in workplace environments, such as construction sites, to protect the head from injury by falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, bad weather and electric shock. Inside the helmet is a suspension that spreads the helmet's weight over the...
(to the current BHS standard) - Rider's ID
- High-vizHigh-visibility clothingHigh-visibility clothing, a type of personal protective equipment , is any clothing worn that has highly reflective properties or a colour that is easily discernible from any background. Yellow waistcoats worn by emergency services are a common example....
clothing - CompassCompassA compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
- Map-marking pens
- Torch
- HeadcollarHalterA halter, headcollar, or, less often, headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears , and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope or lead shank is attached...
and leadropeLead (tack)A lead, lead line, lead rope or head collar rope , is used to lead an animal such as a horse. Usually, it is attached to a halter. The lead may be integral to the halter or, more often, separate. When separate, it is attached to the halter with a heavy clip or snap so that it can be added or... - Waterproofs
- Basic first aid kit
- Tag attached to the saddleSaddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
(with competitor number and organiser's telephone number on in case horse and rider become separated) - WhistleWhistleA whistle or call is a simple aerophone, an instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. It may be mouth-operated, or powered by air pressure, steam, or other means...
- Emergency farrierFarrierA farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
's tools and hoof-bootHoof bootA hoof boot is a device made primarily of plastic or rubber and is designed to cover the hooves of a horse as an alternative to, and occasionally in addition to, horseshoes. It is often used as a protective device when the animal has a hoof injury that requires protection of the sole of the hoof,...
(compulsory for level three and above only)
Riders start the POR with 240 points, and the aim is to complete the phase without losing points. The main ways of losing points are:
- Missing a checkpoint or ticket point (50 penalties)
- Arrival at a checkpoint via an incorrect route (30 penalties)
- Finding a checkpoint not on the intended route (50 penalties)
- Opening the map during the bearing section (30 penalties)
Phase Two: Maîtrise des Allures or Control of Paces (CoP)
The CoP phase is designed to demonstrate that a rider has a high degree of control over the horse, first in canterCanter
The canter is a controlled, three-beat gait performed by a horse. It is a natural gait possessed by all horses, faster than most horses' trot but slower than the gallop, and is used by all riders. The speed of the canter varies between 16-27 km/h , depending on the length of the stride of the horse...
and then in walk. The rider must canter the horse as slowly as possible along a marked corridor, which is 2 m wide and up to 150 m long, and then turn around and walk the horse back as fast as possible. There are up to 60 points available on this stage, depending on how slowly the horse canters and how fast he walks. If the horse leaves the corridor or breaks into another pace, the score is zero.
Phase Three: Parcours en Terrain Varie (PTV)
The PTV is a series of obstacles, designed to test the obedience, confidence, courage and balance of the horse and the correctness of the rider's aids. The course consists of up to 16 obstacles, to be tackled in a certain order and within a set time. The obstacles may include jumps, ditches, water, steps and dismounted tasks.There are up to 10 points available for each obstacle, these points are broken down into:
- Effectiveness (maximum 7 points)
- Style (from -2 to +3)
Penalties (from -3 to -1 for carelessness, brutality or dangerous riding) can also be deducted from the score as appropriate.
If the time allowed is exceeded, time penalties are deducted:
- 1–60 seconds over time allowed - 5 penalties
- 61–120 seconds over time allowed - 15 penalties
- 121 or more seconds over time allowed - 30 penalties
External links
- Trec UK
- Présentation du TREC. Fédération Française d'Equitation (in French)