58 participants from nine countries are taking part this weekend in Riocabado (Ávila) in the continent's main equestrian event in this equestrian discipline
Seven male and female riders form part of the Spanish team, led by their selector, Lucie Duc. TREC (Techniques de Randonnée Équestre de Compétition) is an equestrian discipline that encompasses three phases: the orienteering and regularity phase, the control of paces phase, and the cross-country phase.
From 31st August to 2nd September, the European TREC (Techniques de Randonnée Équestre de Compétition) Championships are taking place in Riocabado (Ávila), organised by the International Federation for Equestrian Tourism, with the support of the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation and the Equestrian Federation of Castile and León.
58 riders and amazons, together with their horses, from Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Switzerland will take part in this equestrian event in the junior and young rider categories, after passing the veterinary checks. The Spanish team will be present in both categories with 16 competitors, who will compete under the direction of the national coach, Lucie Duc. Castilla y León has a large representation in the Spanish squad, contributing seven riders to the red and yellow team: Gonzalo Gutiérrez with Espinete, Marina Guerra with Jara, Anastasia Lugán with Gyspi, Julia Carbonero with Tristrán, Alba García with Saeta, Marcos Sánchez with Dancing Marq and Daniel Martín with Tetin Vites.
During the opening ceremony, Pedro Rey, technical director of the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation, highlighted: “The European Championship is going to be a huge boost for TREC. This discipline is very important for learning and developing intuition, especially in the orienteering exercise, which is a difficult test in which athletes must face various challenges”.
The orienteering trial (POR) is taking place today, with departures between 8:00 and 12:00, and during Saturday the mastery of paces trial (PAR) and the varied terrain trial (PTV) will take place from 9:00 to 16:00. The prize-giving ceremony will be held on Saturday from 18:30 onwards. Next year the World Championship will be held in the Netherlands and the following European tournament will be held in Switzerland in 2025.
What is TREC?
TREC is an equestrian discipline born in France over three decades ago, which tests the skills of the horse and rider combination in navigating an unknown countryside along a pre-set route. These skills involve negotiating various natural obstacles that would appear along the way, such as gates, fallen trees, undergrowth, rivers, etc. TREC comprises three different phases: the orienteering and regularity test, the control of paces test, and the cross-country obstacle course.
The orienteering phase (POR) begins in the map room, where each participant learns the route and takes notes on their own map within a limited time. The distances to be covered vary according to the levels of the tests (from 10 to 60 km). Along the route there are checkpoints, which check that the required speed is maintained, and passage controls to verify that the marked route is being followed.
The Proficiency Test in the Air (PAR) is carried out in a corridor 100 or 150 m long and between 1.5 and 2.25 m wide (depending on the test). The equine must travel down it in one direction at walk and in the opposite direction at canter, without stepping outside the lines or the gaits.
Finally, the varied terrain trial (VTT) is a course with obstacles that simulate the difficulties a horse rider would face in the wild.
