Calling all young riders . . .
TREC selectors are scouring the country to find new Young Rider talent in a bid to field a team plus individuals in this summer’s European Championships.
Although they have assembled a long list of 28 seniors, so far they have found only five Young Riders, aged 21 and under. As host nation, Britain is entitled to enter one team and eight individuals in both the senior and Young Rider categories, all of whom will be eligible to carry the national flag on their jackets and saddle cloths.
TREC is a three-phase test of horse and rider versatility. A test of orienteering skills is followed by control of the horse’s paces in walk and canter, with the final phase similar to a cross country course, negotiating the kind of obstacles a rider could meet when riding across unfamiliar country.
National TREC organiser, Rob Jones of the British Horse Society, said: “There are many young people competing in TREC competitions or who ride well and have orienteering skills from their Duke of Edinburgh scheme studies, who could be well qualified for the upper grades of this sport.
“The selectors are of the opinion that there are many who are capable but lack the confidence to push themselves into a higher grade or even to tackle TREC itself. This is an ideal opportunity for them to advance in a sport, and at the same time gain experience of international competition.”
The European Championships, which is expected to attract competitors from at
least 10 countries, will be held on Exmoor on 15 to 17 September.
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BSJA recognises young talent
Sophie Tobin, 25, has been voted The British Show Jumping Association’s show jumper of the month for January 2006.
Sophie from Flore, Northampton won the Ladies Grand Prix in Nantes with Orion II and was placed third with Unicento. She also finished third in the Ladies Speed class and second in the Ladies Accumulator at the same show. The judges felt that Sophie had excelled at the Nantes Show and was a deserving winner of the monthly award.
Sophie was presented with her award, a Charles Owen hat voucher, Taittinger Champaigne, an engraved crystal bowl, a leather head collar and a Show Jumper of the Month rug by Tim Stockdale.
Careers in racing
The British Horseracing Board has introduced a new section to its website — www.britishhorseracing.com — designed to offer advice to young people looking for career opportunities within British Racing. The Careers in Racing section includes a “virtual careers advisor”, a breakdown of different career options and details of the training courses available. Visit: www.britishhorseracing.com/careersinracing/
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.