The Election of Officers for 2014 took place at the Leinster TREC AGM last Sunday, duly proposed and seconded:

Chairpersons (joint): Sheila Fuller; Ailbhe Gavin
Secretary: Sheaffe Monteith
Treasurer: Diana O’Huid
Committee: Catherine Bartley, Rosemarie Bryson, Tara Creighton, Celia Taylor, plus new additions to the committee who were warmly welcomed: Niamh O’Huid, Karen Reilly, Grainne ni Uid.

The Annual General Meeting of Leinster TREC members was held on Sunday, 24th November, 2013 at Wallaby Woods in Co Kildare. The Meeting was well attended with 29 members present.

The Agenda got under way and the highlight was the Chairperson’s report, which was a summary of the year gone.  

This served to remind members of the many and varied Leinster TREC activities which had taken place during 2013. At the recent TREC Ireland AGM, it was pointed out that Leinster TREC had held the most activities (at 20) of any region throughout Ireland during this year and this included a PTV(Obstacle)/CoP League, POR (Orienteering) League, a One Day (3-phase) Event, Obstacle/CoP Training days, Practice Days, Try TREC days and Orienteering Skills practice sessions.

The Chairperson also reminded members of the many excellent results and top placings achieved by Leinster TREC members at National Competitions throughout Ireland over the year and also that several members had
represented Ireland in British and European competitions during 2013.

Sincerest thanks went out to all the members and volunteers plus landowners and yard proprietors, who had helped throughout the year to make the running of competitions and other activities such a success for everyone.

There followed the distribution of Assistant Judges certificates, a selection of prizes for the POR League (see Results) and some Special Awards to certain deserving people. For a full report and listing, open the document below. And then......

TREASURE HUNT!

After the Meeting, a Fun Treasure Hunt planned and organised by Catherine Bartley, and with the kind co-operation of the Proprietors, took place throughout the lands of Wallaby Woods. Groups of 4 adults and children
set off excitedly, answer sheets in hand, to hunt down the clues and (try to) answer the quiz questions. It is unclear who was the most puzzled during all this activity – animals or humans! But the winners with the most correct answers in the fastest time were the Kiddies Group! Well done to them!

Everyone then enjoyed soup and sandwiches in the lovely cafeteria in Wallaby Woods – a fitting end to a most enjoyable non-horsey day!

The last leg of the Leinster TREC POR League for 2013 was held, on Sunday 10th November, in the scenic farmland of Clonross Farm and the quiet country roads of southeast Meath. The day dawned dull and foggy but soon the sun came out and burned away all the fog so that, by the time the first riders set off on their course, it was a beautiful sunny chilly day – perfect for POR!

There was a strong entry of 23 riders and horses – for the first time slightly more Level 2s than Level 1s! The Level 2s were treated to some lovely off-road riding at the start of their route around the fields of Clonross Farm. Huge thanks are due to Peter Daly and his brother for the use of their farmland and cross country course. To spice things up a bit, the riders had to find 3 tickets along the way and most were successful. They then continued their route on roads and lanes, the same route as the Level 1s.

Despite the fright they got on entering the Maproom and discovering that they had two maps to copy, all the Level 2 riders rose to the occasion! Caroline Aragane on Ross ML with partner Niamh O hUid on Jake tied for first place with Tara Creighton on Zee and Karen Reilly on Roxy. Only two points behind were Ailbhe Gavin on Bob with newcomer Kelly Rae on Angel.

It was great to welcome some new faces to TREC on the day and each of them seemed to enjoy their first taste of POR. The experienced Margaret Lynch on Frere Jacque teamed up with second-timer Edina Erdei on William to win the Level 1s with Lisa Weston on Mason and Geraldine McGuinness on Baby close behind in 2nd place. Third place saw a tie between Paul Whelan on Crossintown Shadow with Siobhan Maher on Oscar and the threesome of Rachel O’Sullivan on Belle, Megan Yeates on Shadow and Jenny Brennan on Harry Potter.

It was great to see all our competitors waiting around and chatting over cups of tea and coffee while the scoring was done and there was a fantastic fun atmosphere for the prize-giving. A lot of our stewards were there too and
Leinster TREC would like to thank all of them for their work and support on the day. Stewards play a large part in ensuring that all competitors have an enjoyable day. We hope to see them all again soon!

Click here to see a full listing of all results.

The TREC Ireland AGM was well attended, with a good number of Leinster TREC members present.

During the proceedings, it was mentioned that over this last year, an incredible 70 TREC events had been held throughout Ireland, of which Leinster TREC had run the most at 20!

A new TREC Ireland Committee was also elected for the next year, with some of our own Leinster TREC members and supporters now on the National Committee and we congratulate them on their new positions.

Celia Taylor is Vice-Chairperson as well as Assistant Treasurer.
Grainne Ni Uid is also Assistant Treasurer.
Karen Reilly is Assistant PRO.

Of general interest to members was the information that a new TREC Ireland Rule Book is due to be published shortly and should be available from early January.   

A new TREC Ireland Information leaflet was also handed out on the day.

Some important competition dates were also announced for 2014 and so far these are:
April 4-6:   Dingle 2-day, 3-phase event
May 23-25:  Open Championships.   Venue: Slieve Aughty.
June 20-22:  West Cork 2-day, 3-phase event
July 25-27:   National Championships.   Venue: tba

At the close of the Meeting, a number of Special Awards from TREC Ireland were announced. These are given to members and supporters who travel widely on behalf of TREC and give so much of their time and effort voluntarily on a National as well as a local level.

We are thrilled to say that several of these awards went to Leinster TREC members and supporters and delighted that they have been acknowledged in this way.

The Welsh Irish Friendship Shield: Ros Lynch
Volunteers of the Year:   Paula Donohue and Niall Keane
                                        Colette and Brendan Gavin (pictured above)

[Sheila Fuller
Leinster TREC Chairperson]