A squad of 24 British riders will be eligible to compete in the TREC European and Young Rider Championships in September next year. The championships will be held at East Luccombe, near Minehead (15-17 September 2006) and will be the discipline’s first senior European event since 1997.
National TREC organiser, Rob Jones is currently assembling a list of possible candidates and training will begin in the New Year.
“Interest in TREC has blossomed in the past two or three years and we have a very wide base of experienced and talented riders and horses to choose from,” he said. “It will involve putting together a generous list of horse and rider combinations and then whittling them down as the year progresses.”
Britain has had plenty of TREC success. With one world champion, one Young Rider gold medallist, two team silvers and a team bronze medal in previous years, hopes of a European victory are high. Competition for squad places is expected to be stiff.
All 14 member nations of the sport’s international governing body, the Federation Internationale de Tourisme Equestre (FITE), are eligible for the championships which will be divided into separate sections for adults and young riders.
Competitors are also expected from the USA and Canada, although they will not be included in the European placings. All competitors will receive a Libbys webbing CLICK bridle.
As the host nation Britain is permitted to field a team of four, plus eight individuals in each championship. Other nations can enter one team of four in each section, with a further two individuals. Team members may also compete for individual honours.
