South West Wales has had its first taste of a new type of riding event - Trec - and it proved a great success. Trec is a new competition and this event was the culmination of the first part of the programme in the British Horse Society (Cymru) SW Region to make Trec competitions available to riders in south and west Wales. It is aimed at bringing riding events to a wider range of participants. The event was held in a superb setting among bluebell woods and the wonderful countryside of Trewindsor Farm, Cardigan, by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. David Lloyd Owen. Polly Lloyd Owen had produced an interesting and varied course providing the required challenge for 17 riders facing a course at Level One. The majority of the riders were attempting their first Trec competition. The orienteering section, requiring map reading skills from the back of a horse, provided some interesting moments for competitors. The first seven starters got lost, but not seriously! Riding the cross country section, competitors were confronted with 16 obstacles, including water, a footbridge crossing, staircase, s-bend and a dismounted section. Riders could opt to miss out those obstacles they did not feel confident to attempt. Most riders including those used to dressage found the control of paces section deceptively difficult. The overall individual winner, Christina Hirst from Crymych, riding Perry, was thrilled with her win. The winners of the overall pairs competition were Rachel Thomas from Pembroke riding Woody and Molly Watts from Kilgetty riding Crugmelyn Ben. Chairman of BHS (Cymru) South-West Region, Sue Enfield, of Coidre, Amroth, said: "We are delighted with the turnout at our first Trec event and we think this is an exciting new sport that will take off in the south and west Wales region. "We are looking forward to developing the sport with further training events and the next Trec competition. I am sure Trec will catch on and provide great opportunities for riders of all ages and experience." The BHS (Cymru) South West region committee are grateful to Trewindsor Stud for hosting the event and Sports Council Wales for their sponsorship to enable this first competition to take place. Results: Overall Individual: 1. Christina Hirst riding Perry (Crymych); 2. Kate Gillam riding Wizard of Oz (Carmarthen); 3. Wendy Campion riding Queenie (Talsarn); 4. Molly Jones riding Peggy Sue (Penally); 5. Kenneth Bird riding Pembrey Atana (St. Clears). Overall Pairs: 1. Rachel Thomas riding Woody (Pembroke) and Molly Watts riding Crugmelyn Ben (Kilgetty); 2. Danielle Connolly riding Ruby (Whitland) and Jacqui Mitchell riding Hector (Llanboidy); 3. Viv Dooner riding Rockeagle (Pembroke) and Vivienne Johnson riding Josephine (Llechryd); 4. Lynn Davies riding Bailey (Narberth) and Loraine Whatmore riding Gulliver (Narberth); 5. Gwenfair Mason riding Aberlogin Welsh Doll (Lampeter Velfrey) and Jane Jeffs riding Aldern Ambassador (Whitland).
