Scoring the Obstacles: It sounded so easy until..: 1st - Get off and place Breeze inside a circle, then I was to stand a few metres away outside a bigger circle. Breeze was supposed to stand still inside her bit but being the faithful soul she is, she ambled straight over to me! Points scored 0
2nd - Mount keeping horse immobile - I can't get on from the ground, otherwise I'd have scored higher - I always use a fence or mounting block. She stood stock still though. Points scored 4
3rd - Manoeuvring around a tight labyrinth, with out touching a pole. Woohoo! We were stars!Points scored 10
4th - Bending in and out of 5 cones in trot (trot must be rhythmic and horse mustn't break pace or touch cones). Points scored 7
5th - Corridor (poles on the ground approx 50cm apart and 8 meters long) horse mustn't touch a pole or break pace. Breeze and I trotted it nicely. Apparently we would have scored 10 if we'd gone as evenly in canter Points scored 7
 6th - Back up 4 meters in the canter corridor, horse should back up straight and not touch a pole. Crash, bang, wallop 0 points
7th - lead over a small fence it should be reins over the horses head, held at the buckle, horse following behind leader. Breeze pulled and I was at her shoulder, using the reins to control her - but she did go over nicely. Points scored 3
8th - Ride down a steep bank straight and remain in whatever pace you chose. It was a steep bank, we remained in walk, but Breeze wiggled about whilst deciding how to get down. Points scored 3
9th - Jump a flower jump. Breeze has never jumped flowers before, my riding style was abysmal - Points scored 3
10th - Canter 100 meters, this should be done as slowly as possible, and the horse must not break pace. We did but at least we tried the canter option instead of just trotting0 points
Walk 100 meters - this time as fast as possible. We were a bit slow, but Breeze gave a lovely walk. I think we got Points scored 7
11th - Ride under a "low branch". Whatever pace you start in you must remain in. We did ok not sure how we were scored. Points scored 7
12th - Lead down a steep slope. Once again horse should be behind and lead on the buckle. Unfortunately I couldn't run fast enough to stay in front of her!
0 points.
Needless to say I have lots to work on, our daily work is now going to involve learning to play with Breeze to improve the timing of our paces and responses to each other. Great fun, I start practicing tomorrow. Mandy Serjeant
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Le Trec is FUN!Le Trec Reports
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Le Trec Clinic 11th October
We had fun and it was really gratifying to see how confidence of the horse and rider combinations improved as we progressed through the Le Trec challenges. The pictures below were taken by Issac Ross
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| Thankyou so much for yesterday's clinic. I have a tricky horse and I have 'issues' with him but at the end we were working so well together. My 10 yr old took some photos and I think the 'before' and 'after' pretty much sum it up... Marnae Ross
12/10/09 |
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Le Trec Competition 23rd August
Our second competition was held in brilliant weather and was well contested. Winners walked away with some very generous prizes supplied by our sponsors, The Hanley Formula, Horse Trader Magazine and Agrisea. Full results.
For pictures of Le Trec 23rd August please go to Michael Wards Photography
 Andrea McKeown, Marnae Ross with Sharon |
Hi Cheski,
I just wanted to thank you, your team and the sponsors for a very entertaining day Le Trec - ing on August 23rd. My friends and I had a ball, and I can see this sport becoming very addictive. We look forward to the next round! Kind regards
Sharon Amundsen |
Hi Cheski Just a brief note to say thank you for Sunday's competition. It was a wonderful day (and you managed to turn the weather on as well!). What a blast Finn and I both had. I haven't had so much fun on a horse in ages. Can't wait till the next competition. Everyone was so friendly, the riders, the marshals - it all created for a great 3 hours of fun. Beatrice Spicer
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Hi Cheski I had a fantastic day today at the Le Trec competition...I was very surprised with the result and love the prizes thanks heaps both to Abderry, Hanley Formula, Horse Trader Magazine and Agrisea....please pass on my thanks for their great products. I look forward to many more competitions in the future and to working my way up the grades!!! Cheers |
Hi Cheski, Thank you for Sunday, I have been guilty of "schooling" PK too much, I get on him and even in the paddock I get on at him about carrying himself correctly and going forward, it was good to have something else to concentrate on. I must also complement you on the format of yesterday in comparison to the last event, having the groups staggered was definitely the way forward, also the start and finish of each event being at the same point made it easier. I look forward to coming out to the dressage and the next Le Trec. Regards
Richard Harwood |
Le Trec Clinic 16th August
| Thank you for an informative, fun and invigorating intro to Le Trec. Although Indy is possibly not the best horse in the world he is the one I'm riding right now and we learnt alot from your clinic. We managed to improve on all aspects of the course and you gave us a lot to work towards. If we ever get to achieve placings in Le Trec I can honestly say it will be solely due to your helpful insights and practical advice. Thank you for a great day! (weather ,what weather)?!! Regards
Louise Emshay |
| Hi Cheski, Many thanks for all you did with us yesterday. I haven't stopped smiling yet! You seem to have an uncanny knack of being able to "read" riders well, and know just how much out our comfort zone to push us so that we are suitably challenged yet come away feeling empowered and hungry for more! I reckon a couple more lessons and I might even be tempted to jump...Can't wait for Sunday's competition, Le Trec is right up my alley, loads of fun, with a dose of competition thrown in for good measure. Regards
Marnae Ross |
| Hi Cheski Thanks again for a great day yesterday at the Le Trec Clinic. I have attached some photos for you from the day. Cheers
Sarah Franks |
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Really enjoyed my first Le Trek experience, I will definitely be back for more
Melissa Kershaw
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| Training horses and riders to have confidence in one another is taken carefully and quietly. It is amazing how quickly trust is built and how quickly everyone realises that it is possible to do things that are outside the normal comfort zones and then put on the smiley faces |
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Le Trec Competition@ Abderry 5th July 2009
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Abderry's inaugural Le Trec Competition went well despite the weather being unhelpful! Thirty competitors took part in the three phases which kept them on their horses and competing for approximately one hour each.
For pictures of the event please go to Michael Wards Photography |
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| Hi Cheski, Once again, you organised a faultless and professional event! The course and all the support crew - judges, stewards, admin, were obviously very well briefed, one would never have thought that this was the first time such an event had been run. Congratulations! I am certain that this sort of competition will grow and grow, as it caters for a very wide range of horse and rider ability, in that whether you are confident or terrified, you are still given the opportunity to move outside your comfort zone ( if you want to ) and have success. The weather was cold, wet and windy, and yet I did not see one person who did not have a smile on their face, and like me, were obviously thoroughly pleased with what they and their horse had achieved. Hopefully the weather will be kinder for the next one scheduled for August. Again, thank you very much for such an awesome opportunity. Michelle Innes
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Hi
Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed today. Really good fun (even with the rain), everyone was friendly and encouraging. Nice to give something different a try and loved seeing a wide range of horses and riders there. Le Trek is so open to all levels, great for nervous riders like myself, all about bringing the fun back into riding. Gotta love that!
Looking forward to next time.
Thanks
Heather Klassesn
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| Hi, Just a quick email to say that I had a great time today and thank you for all the work that went into the Le Trec competition. Also a big thank you to all the volunteers that obstacle judged. Janet Martin
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Le Trec Clinic 21st June:
 Jan Sanders testing her ground control to see if she can control Earl with minimal pressure
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 She tests his trust and respect of her commands and space
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Hi Cheski, After being on the organising side of Le Trec practice days at Totara Park Equestrian Centre over the last two years, it was really great to attend your Le Trec clinic on Sunday. Giving us the encouragement and know how was a great way to prepare for the Abderry Le Trec event in July.
Le Trec offers a very different way of working with our horses and I hope lots of riders will give it a go.
See you there,
Sue Townson
Find out for yourself what Le Trec is all about
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Thank you so much for yesterday's Le Trec clinic. Not only was it heaps of fun, it was a great experience for my young horse as she was exposed to such a range of exercises and obstacles. It was also a really good test of my riding - for accuracy, control of pace and general horsemanship. It was so enjoyable to do something a bit different - can't wait for the competition on the 5th! Thanks again.
Cheers,
Michelle Almond
Click Here for On Line Entry Form
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I had never heard of Le Trec before so i wasn't sure what to expect. I read a bit about it on Abderry's website, thought it sounded different and decided to give it a try. i am glad i did as it was so much fun. It was great to try something new as doing the same things all the time can become slightly boring, le trec keeps you thinking all the time. I am sure Smokey loved it too as it was a new experience for him. It kept him guessing what was coming next and I could chose the level to suit him.
I will definitely do it again as i thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Lauren Stiles
 Lauren Stiles jumps the small but challenging fences |
 This Le Trec offers a few manoeuvres that are FUN |
 Lauren off for another go to improve on her PB |
Hi Cheski, It is a long time since I had such fun, while learning and improving technique as well. Le Trec was far beyond what I imagined. Being on a fairly young inexperienced horse I discovered our weaknesses, as well as our many strengths. I highly recommend giving Le Trec a go if you want fun, build your (and your horses confidence) and meet new people with the same fears and dreams as you. Also I must add Cheski is the best! Looking forward to the competition on the 5th July.
Clare White
 Lauren Stiles, Michelle Almond and Brittany Mackintosh enjoying the POR training. |
 "Hey Lauren," says Michelle "This Le Trec stuff is going well!" |
We had a great time on Sunday.(and no side effects from my little unscheduled dismount either).It is great to be able to take Kipper out and about to a Clinic or Competition where you will not be discounted because your horse cannot jump or canter very well. Generally, he doesn't get to go places as these items are compulsory. Great Fun and he is still learning at the great age of 18!
I have never regretted rescuing him and hard to believe that he ever looked like the picture on the left.
Thanks again for all your encouragement and advice.
Cheers
Sarah Addy
Sarah Addy
