What is TREC in carriage driving?

When the word TREC comes up in riding, it refers to the acronym: Technique de Randonnée Équestre de Compétition. It is a discipline made up of three different tests designed to develop horses and drivers so that they can travel safely and independently with a carriage. In more detail, what exactly is TREC in carriage driving? Find out more in this article.

Why TREC in carriage driving?

TREC in carriage driving is a discipline that combines the healthy competitive spirit of competition with the feeling of freedom that comes from riding out in open country. Above all, TREC in carriage driving brings together trail riders who enjoy testing themselves in classes that put the emphasis on the partnership with a well-schooled horse, one able to take calmly whatever a ride out in open country may throw at it.

TREC in carriage driving also, and mainly, means the orienteering and pace-judging phase, the obstacle course over varied terrain and the control of paces.

The orienteering and pace-judging phase, POR

Here, competitors have to follow precisely the route drawn on the map, over a distance of up to 20 km. They discover the route in the map room and copy it beforehand onto a blank map.

Checkpoints are positioned along the route, and riders do not know where they are. These checkpoints make it possible to record the time at which the competitor passes and to confirm that the correct route has been taken.

At the start of each section, competitors are given a speed of between 5 and 12 kilometres per hour. The rider has to be as consistent as possible, because penalties are given if they are early or late compared with the ideal time for each section. To keep to the best possible times, riders give their horses the best kit they need. You will find this kit at La Sellerie Française.

The obstacle course over varied terrain, PTV

The obstacle course over varied terrain is a course of at least 800 metres to be completed within an allotted time, featuring a range of natural or simulated obstacles of the kind often met out on a trail ride. These may include a ford, a bridge or a roundabout, among others. The judges mark the willingness, the effectiveness and the style of the rider/horse combination. The marking criteria are set out in the technical sheets according to the level of competition.

Control of paces, MA

The control of paces is a test designed to show off the horse's natural paces and its schooling. This test is run according to the level of competition, except in the case of tandem turnouts. It includes 4 pace zones that must be respected, with no element of timing.