France claims world TREC title, ahead of Austria and Spain, with Britain in fourth place on borrowed horses
The British Horse Society’s TREC team finished a creditable fourth at therecent World Championships in El Rocio, Spain.
Due to distance, the British team was unable to take their own horses. Instead Centro Ecuestre Epona, a BHS approved centre provided the team with horses.
The four British riders were Caroline Brammer, Ros Evans, Faye Hamilton, Anthea Kendrick, David Hay-Thorburn (pictured) and Deborah Swan.
The riders had just four days to get to know their horses, which were experiencing TREC for the first time.
Day one saw Britain move into an overall lead on the orienteering phase, easily out-riding last year’s world champions, France. The terrain was the most challenging encountered in any world championship competition to date.
The second day of the competition focused on the close relationship between horse and rider.
The Control of Paces proved difficult as the riders struggled to get the best out of their borrowed horses.
The PTV phase also proved a challenge and for the first timethe British team’s horses’ lack of experience at TREC competitions became clear.
By the end of the day, France, Austria and Spain had closed the gap, and the chance of a medal for Britain slipped away.
Chef d’equipe Rob Jones said: “This was an outstanding result, but we know that on our own horses can beat anyone in the world.
“Next year the world championships are being held in Belgium and I’m confident that we are quite capable of winning.”
Best placed British rider was Faye Hamilton from Scotland. She said: “I’m delighted with my placing especially as I was on a borrowed horse. These championships were the first time we have beaten France in the orienteering phase and I’m looking forward to Belgium next year.”
Results
Teams 1, France;
2, Austria;
3, Spain;
4, Great Britain;
5, Germany;
6, Italy.
Individual
1, Tristan Gratient (France)
2, Friedrich Kriechbaumer (Austria)
3, Ken Poste (France)
4, Gerhard Allmer (Austria)
5, Carlos Bosch Cebrian (Spain)
6, Laurent Mazzocut (France)
Britain’s placings
9, Faye Hamilton, Lanark, Scotland
15, Ros Evans, Saltcoats, Aryshire
24, Anthea Kendrick, Windermere, Cumbria
25, David Hay-Thorburn, Ardrishaig, Argyll
31, Deborah Swan, Blackfield, Hampshire
38, Caroline Brammer, Leighton, Shropshire
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