Rider profile coming soon!

Tell us a little about your horse…..

My horse is called  Raiden, he’s a 14 year old Irish Sport Horse. Raiden is vey friendly and helpful – he does his best even though he doesn’t always know what exactly it is I am asking him. He is just like a big dog – he likes to follow me around and be told he’s a good boy! Being grey, he’s a bit of a swampy creature, but when he’s clean he looks like a unicorn.

How did you get into TREC?

I first got into TREC when I was ten years old and started accompanying my mum to competitions. My first TREC pony was a cheeky pony called Monty who took off with me halfway round the PTV. We still managed to come 3rd and I wanted to do more. I’ve been competing for just over 4 years now, usually with my mum as a Pairs partner but in 2021 I began competing with Louisa Brammer in Pairs and as an individual once I turned 14. 

What is your favourite phase?

My favourite part of a TREC competition has always been the POR. I enjoy challenging myself to find the correct route and each POR has different challenges that make it memorable. Although I sometimes get a bit lost (note from mum: Eleanor almost never gets lost!) it is always very fun and the landscape is often beautiful. Raiden enjoys riding over long distances too and is always willing to try anything.

What do you love about the sport?

The TREC community has always been very welcoming and supportive. Everyone is always willing to help out and give you tips on how to get better, and much of what I have learnt is from other riders I have met at competitions. Competing in TREC has helped me develop new skills as well as improving how I work with my horse. It’s also improved my confidence when riding over longer distances or alone.

Something I will never forget about TREC

The moment Monty bolted downhill with me in my first competition has burnt itself into my memory – I don’t actually remember much else about that day! We have a special place in our heart for the times we go to South Wales – there always seems to be a storm when we arrive! After the first time at Rhosilli when we had not brought enough clothing because the day before was the hottest day on record, we now always make sure we have enough warm clothes, coats and rugs when we go to Wales – even in August!

Rider profile coming soon!

Rider profile coming soon!

Tell us a little about your horse…

Ruby is a 15.3 hh Connemara with a great jump! She is capable but quite frankly can’t be bothered most of the time, and can be very stubborn. Her pet name is ‘donkey’.

Trec suits her down to the ground, it’s so varied and just flicks her switch. Schooling her is really hard work but get her to a Trec competition and she is an absolute dream. She just loves it and would go all day on the POR and loves the PTV. She is almost too fast against the clock which is hard to believe if you ever saw her at home.

How did you get into TREC?

My mum bought Ruby as a 5 yr old and needed a companion to take with Ruby when she went to Trec training so I would go with my pony too.  My first Trec competition was at Kelburn when I was 7 riding Charlie Buttons a 11 hh Welsh pony.  

I’ve been lucky and had some brilliant ponies, Rocky a 13.2 hh very old and wise Welsh pony who was great at the PTV and gave me loads of confidence, I did my first Scottish Championship on him when I was 10 and have competed in the Scottish Champs every year since.  My last pony Brandy was like a mini racehorse, he loved Trec and was so foot perfect at the obstacles the judges used to call him Twinkle toes.

Taking on Ruby and getting qualified for the British Team has been a huge achievement.

What’s your favourite thing about TREC?

My favourite thing about Trec is the feeling of freedom when out on the POR. I love being up in the hills with amazing views, figuring out which tracks to take in the forests and galloping across open fields.

What most excites you when you think about competing abroad?

I think the whole thing will be awesome. I’ve been wanting to go travelling and I’m getting the chance to do it with great friends and my horse!

With Trec I’ve ridden in some really lovely parts of Scotland and England and made friends all over the UK. I’m looking forward to making horsey friends from other countries too.

Do you think more young people should get into the sport? And why?

Yes, I totally do. It’s the perfect fun holiday for their ponies. All our ponies have become more relaxed from doing Trec (thankfully it has opposite effect on Ruby!)

It is great waking up in the morning in beautiful places and looking out to see your horse camped beside you.

Tell us a little about your horse…

Jack is a 16.1h, 19 yr old ISH x TB.
He really enjoys Trec and all pony club activities especially the team Eventing.

How did you get into TREC?

 I heard how much my duo partner Cara enjoyed Trec and decided to give it a go. I competed with my mum until I was old enough to pair up with Cara.

What’s your favourite thing about TREC?

My favourite part of trec is the PTV.
I especially enjoy the jumping.

What most excites you when you think about competing abroad?

I am excited about experiencing the atmosphere of being at a big competition and facing new challenges with my horse.

Do you think more young people should get into the sport? And why?

Trec is a fun sport that suits everyone whether you prefer flat work or jumping. It really helps to build a relationship between you and your horse.

Occupation: Airline Pilot

Horse’s name, age and breed: Randalstown Guinness (Dougal) 15 year old Irish Sport Horse

Horses history, how did they end up being a superstar TREC horse!

Dougal was bought to be ‘mummy’s safe happy hacker’ when my son was 8 weeks old. I’d gone to look at an experienced show cob, but was offered a quick try on a nameless little dun horse that looked as though he had been put together from leftover parts from about 5 different horses and had a permanently surprised expression on his face, and as soon as he hopped into canter I knew he was the right horse for me. He fulfilled the role of happy hacker for years, and one day we decided to enter a ‘have a go’ TREC competition. We won the class and thought we had better have a go at a proper TREC competition. Since then, we have progressed through the levels up to Level 4 together, and as he has got older and better at TREC he has become a lot more opinionated, and no longer looks surprised all the time! He had a brief career as a novelty racehorse, finishing the 24 mile Man v Horse race in Wales in under 3 hours, and the 4 mile Kiplingcotes Derby in about 11 minutes (the same speed as Grand National runners – but without the hedges!) Dougal thoroughly enjoyed being a racehorse but it was decided it was best all round if he stuck to TREC as racing was far too exciting. He is very recognisable and has got quite a fan club.

How did you get into the sport of TREC?

For years I had competed at county shows in Ridden and Working Hunter classes, but once I had children, I realised I didn’t really have the enthusiasm to keep a big grey horse that liked rolling in mud as clean as a show horse ought to be. I stopped competing for a few years and bought Dougal (who is conveniently mud-coloured) in the meantime. Once the children were both at school I saw an advert for a TREC competition. I knew very little about the practicalities of the sport, but had always fancied having a go. I had a great time and the organisers were so encouraging, I signed up to do another one, and it snowballed from there. Now you’ll find me at as many TREC events as possible, along with my daughter Eleanor who has also got the bug.

What do you love about the sport?

I was intrigued by the idea of orienteering on horseback – navigation forms a big part of my job, and I’ve always had a fascination for maps and adventure. Throw in riding a horse whilst reading a map, and it seemed like the perfect sport for me! It’s brilliant spending a weekend surrounded by people who are as enthusiastic about horses and maps as I am – the people in TREC make it such a welcoming sport.

What is your favourite Phase and why?

The POR, without a doubt. Every single POR is different, and can throw up a lot of different challenges. I really enjoy being out on my own, just me and my horse, using my brain to try and work out how to face the current challenge and my horse’s kind nature and stamina to carry us through it. Every now and then a new kind of navigational challenge I haven’t seen before takes me by surprise, and it’s good fun trying to work it out.

What advice would you give some one wanting to get into the sport?

Don’t be scared to give it a go. I hear a lot of people saying they would love to do it but are worried their map reading isn’t up to the standard, or their horse is not brave cross country. You can ride as a pair while you learn how the POR section works and if you don’t fancy an obstacle on the PTV you don’t have to do it. You’ll soon learn how it all works and everyone is keen to help a newcomer out. You’ll make a lot of new friends through TREC!

And the one moment of TREC you will never forget!

I have a lot of very memorable moments! So,s I’m going to choose two. One that really sticks in my mind is riding along the top of Rhossili Down in torrential rain and 50mph winds wearing every article of clothing I’d brought with me and still not being warm enough. It had been the second hottest day on record the day before! For better reasons the other memorable moment is winning the Level 1 Pairs championship with my daughter. She was only 11 years old and a complete novice. It was a different sort of challenge for me to teach TREC to a child and it was a hugely enjoyable achievement to share that win with her and start her on the

Name:

Sheila Watson

Occupation:

Part time Architect`s secretary and B&B lady

Horse`s name age and breed:

Eldrick Redoubt aka Cricket dob 2003 Welsh D

Horse`s  history:

Bred by my neighbour, came to me as an entire 4yo to be broken, and stayed. He had to take over from my previous Welsh Cob TREC pony and had very smart shoes to fill.

How did you get into the sport of TREC?:

I`d heard of it but there was nothing at all locally so had to travel south for three hours to seek out our first training – and were hooked straight away.

What do you love about the sport?:

The camaraderie; the orienteering through countryside you wouldn`t usually get access to; the bonding with your pony; the whole weekend of competition.

What is your favourite phase and why?:

POR – we enjoy the “treasure hunt” of finding the correct route….

What advice would you give someone wanting to get in the sport?:

Give it a go, but find yourself a pair if you`re concerned about the POR.

And the moment of TREC you will never forget?:

Winning the GB level 4 championship with Cricket. (or Brigette greeting me with a whisky after I’d driven an unplanned five hours across Germany in an unknown vehicle, with an unknown trailer and pony, and a german speaking sat nav…)

Occupation Livery Yard owner and taxi service for my boys.

Horse:  Wahiki aged 10 Irish Sport Horse, 15.2hh

Wahiki was bought as a 5 year old with the sole purpose of getting to Italy 2014 and beyond. He has a super temprement. He loves the obstacles and thinks it is all great fun. He will go all day on the POR with the minimum effort from me. He is non spooky  and a forward ride without being strong which all in all makes for the perfect TREC horse. He did qualify us for Italy but sadly I had an accident which meant I could not go. We persevered, we both became older and wiser and were selected to go to Spain in 2016 to the World Championships.

I was introduced to TREC by a friend who wanted to hire my outdoor school for a TREC training event. She suggested I have a go. I did and was totally hooked from that very day. I have competed in various equestrian disciplines and can honestly say TREC has given me the most fun on a horse.

I love the friendship it has given me, all over Europe. I love the bond it has created between Wahiki and myself, we are a team. I love the challenge of the maps and the terrain that we are sent across. I have ridden in some spectacular parts of the UK and indeed Europe. The peace away from my mobile for about 8 hours is just bliss!

The obstacles too are a lot of fun and although you practice at home, you just never know what might happen on the day. I enjoy the thrill of the PTV as it has a cross country element to it.

Finally I have met some lovely people and made some great friends both at home and abroad all with the same aims of enjoying their horses.

What is your favourite Phase and why?

Tricky one as I like them all for different reasons.

POR for the challenges

PTV for the excitement

COP for the chance to show that TREC horses have to be well schooled and obedient to gain good points ( the same could be said for the PTV too)

What advice would you give some one wanting to get into the sport?

Do it!!!!

It is a sport for all. Go to a local training event and give it a go. Look up TREC GB website to get more information.

And the one moment of TREC you will never forget!

Coming back from a back injury and coming 13th individually at the Worlds was a real high point and a great personal achievement.

Claire started competing in TREC in about 2001, initially riding in pairs with her daughter Sarah.

When Sarah wanted to “go it alone” Claire started competing as an individual, in about 2006.

Claire’s favourite part of the competition is the POR.

At present Claire’s horse 2B has taken a dislike to leaving others, not ideal for a TREC horse, so she is looking for a replacement. Hopefully, this won’t take too long and she will be up to full strength and will be competitive enough to represent GB in the future.

Claire is a Chartered Accountant and currently works with her husband in their own practice.