Name Caroline Brammer

Occupation. Clinical Oncologist

Horse’s name, age and breed

Maisie : 10 yo Welsh cob section D

Jingo: 12 yo Highland/Connemara Cross

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

Maisie was bred by a good friend, but unfortunately shortly after Maisie was broken-in, my friend had a nasty accident which led to her decision to give up riding. Maisie then had a comfortable life as a companion horse for a few years but her breeder realised that Maisie was too special not to be worked, so Maisie came to live with me to be brought on, initially with the intention of being trained as a pony club horse for my daughter. Maisie needed to be rebroken after her extended holiday and it soon became apparent that she was a little too spirited for Louisa, but was great fun for me so she joined our family. I was looking for a horse for TREC and Maisie seemed perfect. She is sure footed and sound for the POR and has a great jump being bold but careful . She learns quickly and progresses month by month in her training.

Jingo is Louisa’s my daughter’s horse. He is solid as a rock if rather cheeky and a highly skilled escapologist (not so great for corals as he can jump out from a standstill ). He is very bold having evented at BE 100 and cannot be overfaced when jumping. He is not built for speed but has stamina in bucketfuls . I’m allowed to borrow Jingo when Louisa is working for her GCSEs.

How did you get into the sport of TREC?

We moved to Telford in 2000 and was lucky enough to get to know Heather Lucas ( who we miss greatly) who was in the process of founding the Mercia TREC club. I have always enjoyed orienteering as well as horse-riding so TREC was a natural fit for me.

What do you love about the sport?

I love TREC because it is all inclusive. You can compete with any horse as long as it is sound. All breeds have strengths and weaknesses so any horse can be a TREC horse. For some you need to concentrate on the endurance elements, others on the technical obstacles, but all can excel with a bit of training.

Plus my fellow competitors are a great crowd which always means a fun weekend away when at competition.

What is your favourite phase and why?

I’m a map geek so I love the POR. As well as the orienteering challenge I love being out experiencing the countryside in partnership with my horse.

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

Don’t be afraid of the map. Go out of your regular rides with a map to familiarize yourself the features and then take it from there, also join your regional TREC club for friendly encouragement and advice.

And the one moment of TREC you will never forget!

The dew forming while dawn was breaking in the woods on the Centaure in France (night-time POR) – Magical. Followed by actually coming in to a ticket