UK TREC FORUM

BHS TREC

Techniques de Randonee Equestre de Competition is a range  of activities designed to test a horse and riders' ability to find their  way across country using map reading skills, to keep safely in control and  to cope with the sort of obstacles and problems that they could encounter  whilst riding alone in the countryside. TREC has been popular in France  for over 25 years and it was started originally to test the expertise of  equestrian tourism guides, but quickly appealed to the tourists themselves  and soon turned into a good fun competition.

TREC is made up of three phases and can be run over one or  two days depending on the level of competition. It can be ridden as an  individual or in a pair up to and including Level 3 (Level 4 is individual  only). There is the Orienteering phase or POR - Parcours de Orientation  et Regularite, the Riding Skills/Cross Country Obstacle Course or P.T.V - Parcours en Terrain Varie and the Control of Paces/Gaits CoP/C.G. - Matrisse des Allures

The International  Federation of Equestrian Tourism (FITE) is the  international governing body for TREC and the British Horse Society is the  official member for the United Kingdom.

PHASE 1 - P.O.R - Parcours de  Orientation et Regularite

The POR can be organised over  a number of routes. Any assistance to a rider is strictly forbidden and  will result in elimination from the competition. The route is shown to the  competitor on a master map using 1/25,000 or 1/50,000 scale map.  Predetermined speeds are set by the technical delegate and do not usually  go below 6km per hour, except in exceptional circumstances and not above  12km per hour.

The rider  will present himself or herself to the Map Room after they have passed the  tack and equipment inspection. Here each rider will receive one Check  Point Card (shared if riding in a pair) and a coloured Ordnance Survey  Map. The rider will then have 10 minutes to copy the route from a master  map onto his or her own map, before starting off on the route (this can be  increased up to 20 minutes for Level 3 and 4). Check points are not marked  on the map and are in ascending numerical order. A Target Speed will be  displayed, so the rider knows what speed to travel at on the next phase.  The rider will be required to halt for approximately 5 minutes at each  check point; this may be increased if a number of competitors reach the  point at the same time or decreased. The time for which competitors halt  is neutral and is not taken into account when the scores are  calculated.  Maximum score on this section is 240 points.

PHASE 2 - CoP (control of paces)  Matrisse des Allures

The rider  is required to canter along a measured track as slowly as possible. The  distance is up to a maximum of 150m and between 2m and 4m in width. The  corridor need not be in a straight line, nor on flat terrain. The rider  then returns along the same route and walks as fast as  possible. Marked out of 30  points per gait on a sliding scale. The canter is ridden first. 

PHASE 3 - P.T.V - Parcours en  Terrain Varie

This phase  is on a marked route of up to 5km and is carried out in a set time,  usually around 12km per hour. The course is made up of 16 obstacles to  negotiate, each scored out of a possible 10 marks  (there may be less  obstacles at some competitions). Each obstacle is numbered and will have  red flags on the right and white on the left.   Competitors may choose their  gait, but at certain obstacles the gait will be imposed upon them and at  others a preferred gait will result in a higher score.  Marks will be  awarded for Effectiveness and for Style. Each obstacle is marked according  to its criteria. Penalty marks will be given for any dangerous riding or  brutality to the horse. An uncorrected error of course means elimination  from the phase, so any rider not wishing to negotiate an obstacle must  nonetheless present the horse in front of the judge and say they do not  wish to attempt it before continuing. No more than 30 penalty points can  be incurred for exceeding the optimum time. Maximum score on  this section is 160 points. 

TREC RULES

The current  edition is the fourth edition published in 2009. 

For a rule book on TREC, contact the Competitions Office, The British Horse Society, Stoneleigh  Deer Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2 XZ or telephone the  Competitions Office on 0844 848 1666.

1. BHS TREC Competitions are open to all horses and ponies providing that they are a minimum of four years old in 2009 (i.e. a horse born in 2005 may compete in BHS TREC in 2009).

2. Mares more than four months pregnant should not be competing.

3. Competitors must hold suitable third party liability & personal accident insurance.

4. Riders under the age of fourteen 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 POR and separately for CoP and PTV. Parents/guardians of competitors under the age of 16 will be required to complete a Parental Consent Form.

5. Competitors competing in BHS TREC Qualifiers or the Championship of Great Britain must either be a BHS Gold Member or a BRC member.

6. Clearly visible coloured tail wraps/ribbons should be worn to advise other riders of a potential hazard – Red = Kicker, Green = young/inexperienced horse, Blue = Stallion.

7. For Level 1 and Level 2 competitions any riders who have represented Great Britain at TREC in the last two years will be ineligible to compete as individuals.  They may compete as part of a pair but will be penalised 25 points per phase for both the POR and the PTV.

8. No rider will be permitted to start any phase of the competition unless wearing a hard hat, which meets a standard currently recommended by the BHS (PAS 015, EN1384 or ASTM F 1163, and bearing the kite mark or SEI).

9. Riders may choose to wear a body protector during any phase of the competition.  If worn, Beta 3 standard is strongly recommended.

10. Riders must wear suitable riding footwear, or use suitable enclosed stirrups.

11. Standing Martingales and other fixed reins are forbidden.

12. Whips must not exceed 75cms (1m for side-saddle). Spurs if worn must be rounded, not exceeding 3cms in length and pointed downwards.

13. Mobile phones may be carried for use in emergency but must be declared prior to entering the map room and be switched off.

14. Riders in BHS TREC competitions must wear fluorescent/reflective hi-viz clothing during the POR phase. 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 and fluorescent/reflective hi-viz on the horse.

15. Riders will be required to carry personal ID during the POR. This should be visible, and should consist of (minimum) rider name; competitor number; emergency telephone number for event.

16. ID will also be required to be carried on the horse during the POR. This should be visible, and should consist of (minimum) competitor number, and emergency telephone number for event.

17. All competitors are required to display a medical armband or similar during all phases of the event. This should contain basic information to help any First Aid staff to assist you and should be easily visible. Information should include: Name; Address; Next of Kin with contact details; Registration number of vehicle; any relevant medical information; Allergies; Any current medication. Medical armbands can be purchased from the BHS Bookshop priced £5.99 Tel: 01926 707762.

TREC RULES - Compulsory  Equipment

Tack and equipment will be checked and the following should be  carried on the POR, but may be discarded for the CoP and PTV.

1. Compass
2. Personal  ID Tag for horse (preferably on the saddle) and rider (organiser to  supply contact telephone number). A medical armband or something similar  will be required.  
3. Map  marking pens
4. Torch or  suitable light for reading a map
5. Headcollar and rope or  combination bridle (headcollar need not be worn on horse)
6. Suitable  waterproof clothing for rider (minimum jacket)
7. Whistle
8. Basic  First Aid kit for horse and rider
9. Emergency  farrier tools and equi boot (only for Level 3 and 4  competitors)