What is TREC?
TREC stands for Technique de Randonnee Equestre de Competition and originated in France. TREC was designed to test the competency of professional trekking guides, but proved so popular that it soon expanded to include equestrian tourists being guided by these professionals. TREC
is now practised in a large number of countries, including the UK, Germany, Portugal, Austria and Switzerland. Argentina, the United States and Canada
are amongst the most recent to take up the sport.
The governing body for TREC is FITE (Federation Internationale de Tourisme Equestre), the International Federation for Equestrian Tourism. In Ireland the FITE membership is divided between TREC Ireland and AIRE (Association of Irish Riding Establishments). See the link to TREC Ireland on our Links page.
There are a number of affiliated TREC groups across Ireland and you don’t have to be a member of each, or even of TREC Ireland, to go and take
part.
TREC is composed of three phases:
1. The POR (Parcours d’Orientation et de Regularite), which is the Orienteering phase. Riders follow a given route on a map at given speeds. Checkpoints are placed along the route, but their locations are unknown to the riders. The distance starts at 12kms for beginners and can be as long as 45kms at championship level.
2. The MA (Matrisse de Allures), Control of Paces. Here riders are asked to show control over their horse’s pace. Competitors have to walk and canter
(without breaking into trot) along a 150m corridor that is 2- 4m wide. The highest marks are awarded for the slowest canter and fastest walk.
3. The PTV (Parcours en Terrain Varie), the Obstacle Course, is the cross country element of TREC. The course is generally between 1km to 5kms long and consists of 16 obstacles, which can be both mounted and led. No obstacle is compulsory and riders can chose to avoid an obstacle and still be
eligible for competition. There are 39 possible obstacles that you may encounter on the course (have a look at the PTV Data sheets in our Links section!).
is now practised in a large number of countries, including the UK, Germany, Portugal, Austria and Switzerland. Argentina, the United States and Canada
are amongst the most recent to take up the sport.
The governing body for TREC is FITE (Federation Internationale de Tourisme Equestre), the International Federation for Equestrian Tourism. In Ireland the FITE membership is divided between TREC Ireland and AIRE (Association of Irish Riding Establishments). See the link to TREC Ireland on our Links page.
There are a number of affiliated TREC groups across Ireland and you don’t have to be a member of each, or even of TREC Ireland, to go and take
part.
TREC is composed of three phases:
1. The POR (Parcours d’Orientation et de Regularite), which is the Orienteering phase. Riders follow a given route on a map at given speeds. Checkpoints are placed along the route, but their locations are unknown to the riders. The distance starts at 12kms for beginners and can be as long as 45kms at championship level.
2. The MA (Matrisse de Allures), Control of Paces. Here riders are asked to show control over their horse’s pace. Competitors have to walk and canter
(without breaking into trot) along a 150m corridor that is 2- 4m wide. The highest marks are awarded for the slowest canter and fastest walk.
3. The PTV (Parcours en Terrain Varie), the Obstacle Course, is the cross country element of TREC. The course is generally between 1km to 5kms long and consists of 16 obstacles, which can be both mounted and led. No obstacle is compulsory and riders can chose to avoid an obstacle and still be
eligible for competition. There are 39 possible obstacles that you may encounter on the course (have a look at the PTV Data sheets in our Links section!).
