TREC is a relatively new sport in equestrian circles and one that every horse and rider can enjoy. It is not discipline-specific but covers many of the skills that we should be using all the time. The emphasis is on having fun with your horse!
The sport is made up of three Phases, all designed to test a horse and rider through various situations or challenges one might find whilst out riding. It is similar to Adventure Racing, except that it's done on horseback!
Phase A, known as the Orienteering Phase, involves following a marked route using a map as guidance. It is not a race and the pace is usually a brisk walk with a bit of trotting and a light canter, much the same as one would follow on an outride.
Phase B, known as Control of Gaits, involves cantering along a 150m lane as slowly as possible, and walking back as quickly as possible, without breaking into a trot.
Phase C, known as the Cross Country Obstacle Course, involves a course of 1-5km in length, with between 16 and 20 obstacles to tackle. Some of them are jumps, banks, hedges or ditches and others involve loading into a trailer, going through water, immobility tests, bending, reining back and many more exciting challenges.
For more info, visit the About Trec pages.