I LIVE on the Dingle peninsula in Kerry with my husband, Jonathan, and my menagerie of hens, sheep, puppies, cats and two equines, Lizzy and John Keel. I’ve loved horses ever since I can remember, I started riding at age nine and have stayed with it.
1. What does TREC stand for?
TREC stands for Techniques de Randonnée Equestre de Compétition. Designed to test the competency of professional trekking guides, it has expanded into an international competitive equestrian sport. Some 23 countries are now affiliated to FITE – Fédération International de Tourisme Equestre – which is the governing body of TREC, including USA, China, Russia, and France.
2. Where did the sport begin?
TREC originated in France
3. When did TREC start in Ireland?
TREC Ireland (www.trecireland.com) was formed in 2007 to promote the sport in Ireland. It is affiliated to Horse Sport Ireland.
4. Current membership numbers?
We are a small competitive sport, relatively unknown but there are six groups in Ireland and around 500 riders take part in the sport each year. Our members are the backbone of the whole organisation, working work hard to stage events in their area. Each year we send riders to the UK Championships and to the European or World championships, as they alternate each year.
5. How did you take up the sport?
I returned from Munich, Germany, in 2012 and was itching to get out and explore the countryside. TREC competitions typically are two-day events which gives a lot of time to meet people and you end up making some really good friends. When I saw a TREC competition reported in our local magazine, West Kerry Live, I reached out and joined Kerry TREC.
6. POR, MA, PTV – describe the different TREC competitions?
TREC has three distinct phases. The orienteering phase – POR from the French term Parcour d’Orientation et de Régularité – is the first phase. Riders trace their route from a master map and follow the route at given speeds. Navigating by compass or grid reference can be involved at higher levels.
The second phase is called MA (Maitrise des Allures) where riders are asked to show control over their horses’ paces.
The third and last phase is called PTV (Parcour en Terrain Varié), essentially an obstacle course of between 1km and 5km long. Obstacles include cross-country fences, s-bends, rein-backs, opening and closing gates, water-crossing, staircases, etc.
Riders, 16 or over can compete as individuals or as pairs. Younger folks can take part as a pair with a partner of 18 years and older.
7. Is there an ideal type of TREC horse/pony?
Any breed can shine at TREC from Irish Draught, Connemara and Fjord, right through to Thoroughbreds.
8. Ladies or gents – who scores best at map reading?
The winners on the podium at the World, European and Irish competitions are very often the lady riders.
9. Will TREC competitions restart this year?
TREC Ireland have resumed as of Monday June 8th with TREC INTRA Group training events. Our two championships were cancelled for 2020 but will be back in 2021.
10. Apart from Covid-19, what other challenges face TREC?
The lack of access to safe places to ride is the greatest challenge. I feel this issue is unique to Ireland. In Europe, horses are catered for when greenways are opened up but here, in the “Land of the Horse”, it feels that it is more the “Land of the racehorse or showjumper”.
Riding centres are struggling too. Unfortunately when disused railway lines are renovated into greenways, access for horses is removed. European studies have shown that the equine tourist spends up to eight times more in the local economy than other tourist groups and once an equine tourist has found a great place to ride, they often return bringing friends.
11. Any new trailways on the horizon?
It was very exciting when Ireland’s first Horse Trail, the long-awaited Beara Bridle Way was completed in West Cork. I hope this type of innovative collaboration can take place in other areas.
12. When did you take on the TREC chair role?
I became chairperson in 2018. Before that I was the secretary for four years which really helped me understand the sport, its ethos and how hard all the members and volunteers work to develop the sport.
13. How did you cope during Covid-19 lockdown?
A lot of my daily activities continued unchanged during the lockdown… the sheep were lambing and hens were busy laying away. My small B&B business dried up completely obviously and I am now busy renovating for when we can open again at the end of July.
14. Favourite horse/rider combination?
Charlotte Dujardin and her charismatic horse Valegro.
15. Any non-horsey hobby?
Puppy raising for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. I am now training my fifth puppy, Yani – a delightful mix of mischief and seriousness. IGDB is a great charity to be a volunteer for.
16. Social media – yes or no?
I appreciate Facebook most when attending TREC competitions abroad as it’s a great way to share what’s happening back in Ireland, like when two Irish riders Elaine Dolan Crowley and Mairead Moynihan were at the Chinese International TREC event in 2019, coming second and third.
TREC Ireland’s Facebook and Twitter account are well maintained. All TREC groups have their own page e.g. Leinster, West Cork, Kerry, Turas in the west and Sperrin Trec and TREC North in Northern Ireland.
17. Who inspires you?
My second IGDB puppy was a handsome fella called Dante. Last November he was matched with a gentleman called John. John went blind late in life and was not able to watch his youngest daughter grow up. When I met John I was overawed by his charisma, his energy and drive to support his family, his humbleness and his adoration of Dante.
Sadly he died a few months ago in February 2020, but his impact on me was searing and if I ever get a bad moment or feel a bit sorry for myself, I just remember John and what he overcame. He just helps me drive on.
18. One must-have gadget?
This has to be a thumb compass. This baby-sized compass straps onto my left hand in such a way that I can see it while holding the reins.
19. Favourite corner of the world?
Tuscany, particularly around Siena, home to wine, olive oil and sun, and of course the Palio di Siena.
20. How do we develop the leisure riding industry in Ireland?
I don’t have all the answers but I know that we need to start answering this question.
People of all ages receive great benefit from being around animals. I’ve lost count of the number of people that tell me that if they’ve had a bad day at work, all they need to do is go do something with their horse and after five or 10 minutes, they’ve relaxed and life doesn’t look so gloomy.
Riding can completely destress you and to help more people benefit, we have to provide access. Riding along safe paths and tracks in the gorgeous Irish countryside is a prescription that anyone would gladly to take.
Besides lack of access, one of the biggest issues the entire leisure industry in Ireland is facing is the lack of affordable insurance. High-profile cases, which appear to have no basis, have huge impacts on the premiums. Playgrounds, festivals, riding centres, coaches and groups like ourselves are being impacted by this same issue. It’s causing closures and it needs to be fixed now.