**CANCELLED**

Due to ridiculously early snow conditions!

We’ll try again in the spring so keep it in mind!

TRECTOBER TURKEY TROT

Saturday October 10, 2009

A modified TREC-like event & Bingo Rally Trail Ride.

RSVP before Oct 5 please (it’s really important that we be able to predict numbers).

Send RSVP to trectober@gmail.com

EVERYONE WELCOME.  ALL AGES.  WESTERN/ENGLISH/or anything else!

Lunch will be provided for an additional $7 or you may bring your own. Hot and cold drinks will be provided (depending on weather forecast). We anticipate finishing in the mid-afternoon.

Fees: $25 ($10 for riders on horses currently boarded at WRS).   No fee for non-riding companions/parents

Optional:
$5 per extra bingo card
$7 for lunch
$20 for use of indoor stall (bedded)

Description:
TREC (also known as Le Trec) is a kind of competitive trail riding that is already well-established and popular in Europe. It combines three phases: orienteering and short distance endurance, gait control, and an obstacle course that at the higher levels involves some cross-country jumping.

Our modified TREC is an introduction to the sport of Le Trec or competitive trail riding in a casual, fun, and encouraging atmosphere, borrowing from the various versions of TREC, Hunter Pace, and Competitive Trail Riding that already exist, but twisting it together into our Own Rules

Form up a team of 2-4 riders, or come by yourself and we’ll hook you up, and get ready to meet some new horsepeople and challenge yourself and your horse, and enjoy the scenery right in our backyard.

The three phases will be:

Phase 1: Orienteering and Trail Riding
“Bingo Rally” self-guided trail ride (4km or 10km). Each team will be given a map and a bingo card per participant. The map will guide you to 20-30 trail markers or stations where you will find a bingo number. The bingo cards will be scored after the fact, with certain patterns gaining better scores. Additional bingo cards are available for $5.

The 10K ride will tour fields, roadside ditches, and riverside trails as you seek the trail markers. Pay attention to your map, and don’t miss any forks in the trail! This is not a race! An experienced rider on a fit horse will have ridden the course ahead of time to determine the “ideal pace” and the goal is to get the time closest to theirs.

An alternate 4K “backyard” trail will be plotted within the property line of Willow Ridge that will test the orienteering and horsemanship skills of participants, just in a different way. This version will only be run if there is interest so please indicate early if you wish to do the alternate 4km loop.

Phase 2: Control of the Gaits
A series of maneuvers to demonstrate gait control including speed adjustment within the gaits on level ground. This will include a timed fast walk, a timed slow canter, and possibly other maneuvers.

Phase 3: Obstacles and Terrain
A series of obstacles to simulate those you may encounter on trails. This may include gates, bridges, low jumps, bending poles, barrels, branches, mounting, rein-back through a corridor, etc. Participants are encouraged to do their best and try, but may also opt out of any obstacle.

Prizes:
This is first and foremost a FUN DAY and not a majorly competitive event. But there will  be prizes !!

Rules

RULE #1: The organizers make the rules, are in charge of the rules, and have the right to change the rules whenever it suits them for this event.

RULE #2: Be safe

RULE #3: If you have any questions, see Rules #1 and #2.

What to bring?
Your own horse feed and pails, enthusiasm, spirit, and safe common sense. Bring your best horse tales to swap with new friends.

What to wear?

Follow good trail-riding (hiking, outdoorsmen, etc.) principles. Dress appropriately to the weather, in layers, and bring extras where appropriate. Tack, apparel, and equipment should be safe and comfortable. It is recommended that at least one member per team have a cell phone, whistle, and first aid kit. Approved riding helmet is required for all riders under 18 and for any “over fence” obstacle in the third phase, and is recommended for all riders.