BHS TREC Champions crowned in Wales
20th September 2013This year’s BHS TREC Championships of Great Britain took place on 14-15 September against the magnificent backdrop of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The Championships, sponsored by Cavallo Horse and Rider, are the pinnacle of the BHS TREC calendar. Riders travel from across the UK to compete for national honours in five classes – Level 2, 3 and 4 individually and Level 2 and 3 pairs.
The POR section took place on the first day of the competition. This involves orienteering along a pre-determined route which took the competitors around the Sugar Loaf, one of the most notable mountains in the National Park. The second day of competition involved the CoP phases and PTV which tests the horse’s obedience and skill, and were set alongside the banks of the River Usk.
The level 4 competition was won by Kathryn Bean, from Yorkshire, and her striking mare Millicent Millie. Kathryn is no stranger to the GB Championships having competed with Millie for a number of years, as well as representing Great Britain at the European TREC Championships. Kathryn, as the level 4 winner, was the recipient of a saddle from the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
The level 3 individual Champion, retaining her 2012 title, was Leigh Nixon from Northamptonshire, riding her Welsh cross pony Galaxy. The level 3 pairs competed across the same POR routes and PTV course and was won by husband and wife pair Dave and Sheila Rogerson improving on last year’s third place. Dave and Sheila are regulars on the BRC circuit and Sheila competed at the BRC National Championships the previous weekend.
A new face took the level 2 individual crown when Stacey Collins from Bracknell won with her Appaloosa, Peace of Mind. This was the first year that Stacey had qualified for the Championships and to win on her debut was quite remarkable.
The level 2 pairs were won by Jane Chivers and Polly Lloyd-Owen, riding Alice and Wing Commander respectively. Representing Wales, they helped the team to a Nations Cup win.