Are you interested in TREC?

[ginah]

I'm a member of a TREC group based in Warwickshire, we're in the second year of organising events. We would like to attract some people and we have some indoor competitions planned for the new year, and we are meeting tonight to discuss some training/tasters/social events to attract some newcomers. Our group does have 2 members of the British Team, who would be willing to give talks and training. We have booked an indoor school with a clubhouse gallery for 2 evenings before our next competition - now we just need to decide what to offer.

So here's where you guys come in. What do people want to attend if they have no experience of the sport? Would you like a lecture demo? An hours training with a member of the British Team? A short taster session with your own horse and some common obstacles? Anything else? All suggestions welcome.

Thanks
Gina

[stormhorse]

would love to get involved but have no transport.

[ginah]

Thanks stormhorse. I'm really just do some market research. We will probably offer some spectator tickets too.

[pd]

Hello, I enjoy Trec, but find the lack of competitions within a realistic travelling distance make it rather a sporadic sport for me.

My last outing was with Wiltshire BHS and I was shocked to be charged £40 as a single competitor, when the pairs were also charged £40 (for both of them, i.e. £20 each). When TREC first started in this country it was controlled well by the BHS and the cost was about £25 per person, I can understand this rising to £30 maybe, but at £40 its as much as local eventing competitions which are much more numerous, so unless this situation changes, I'm not going to be competing anytime soon. Shame, I loved it.

For novice people I think an evening of the whole etiquette of how the competition runs, how the time starts when you enter the map room, and tips on accuracy on map writing/reading. How to judge your speed over the country etc.

I think the collected canter is up to the individual to work out at home, but obstacles could be explained at a training session, again tips on how to get top marks and how to keeps within the rules when leading etc.

I'm near Bristol by the way, if you know of anyone driving the sport near me, let me know.
Cheers

[Bridget RA]

Hi ginah - I am a keen TREC competitor and have been for nearly ten years now (off and on). I always try and get to the GB's and a few other things each year. I think a 'have a go' fun comp would be a great way of attracting people - everyone loves a rozzie!! There is a riding club near(ish) here who do an annual psuedo-TREC and it's always massively over subscribed.

Good luck with your venture x

[donnalex]

If I lived near enough I would love to have a go. I had a go at the winter series and got a 4th this year, the people were really friendly and helpful and not at all competitive.
I would like to have a go at the full ones that are on over a weekend.

[BJMM]

I would love to have a go but, other than one training day nearby, which I didn't hear about until after the event, there doesn't seem to be much TREC in my area (nr Dover, Kent)

[ginah]

I'm back from the meeting now and here's what we've decided.

Session 1 Introduction to TREC - Indoor 2 Phase
Short ridden demo of some common obstacles by one of our international riders while the other one gives a brief explanation of the sport. Followed by a 2 hour clinic with 4-6 riders of varying experience, with a commentary and further explanation from the club house. There will be a bar and food served and committee members available to talk to about different aspects of the sports. Spectator tickets £5 ridden tickets £15.

2 weeks later
Session 2 - Indoor training
3 one hour sessions with both our British Team members for a maximum of 8 riders in each session. £10 per rider per hour, £5 spectators.

2 weeks later
Indoor competition.

What do you think? Would this attract newcomers?

[BJMM]

Sounds brilliant! Wish I lived near you!

[donnalex]

Dec 22, 2010 9:15:54 GMT 1 BJMM said:

Sounds brilliant! Wish I lived near you!

Ditto!

[nich]

me too!

[pip]

I think people are far more worried about the map reading than the obstacles. Any reasonably well schooled horse should cope with the obstacles with a bit of training, and a potential competitor can attend an event or training session and get the rule book to see what the obstacles are.

I know several people who have done that, but what stops them then going on to do a competition is fear of the map reading. You can have training but there is just nothing as scarey as copying down the route, coming out of the map room and then thinking "which way do I go."

I have done 2 Trecs and enjoyed them, but still find the map reading the really scarey and difficult part.

[donnalex]

Thats what pairs classes are for Pip!
I am a total loser when it comes to maps and would definitely need a personal guide. I would not be able to do it competitively at all, the fun of the competition would be fine though

[icarus]

Im very interested but as others have said, transport is an issue, distance to venue and cost to participate.
What you have organised sounds fab!

[vicki2]

Hi Ginah, I ride but don't own a horse, but would love to take a look at TREC and I'm in Warwickshire!! Where is all this taking place in the county? Any chance of borrowing a ride?