Denise and Nigel are proving perfect partners as they plot a successful route

Being able to read a map is a vital part of the sport of Trec, which involves three phases, one of which is orienteering.

Going wrong means losing points. “My husband is really good at map reading but we do argue sometimes,” admits Denise Robinson.

“There are times when you have to compromise but we both keep an eye on the map and also the time, which is important.”

There obviously can not be many disagreements between this pair however, who are very keen competitors.

They were the winners last season of the national BHS Novice Trec Pairs League, receiving their award at a ceremony in London from BHS president Martin Clunes.

“We were amazed to hear that we’d won,” said Denise. She began riding in Trec competitions about 10 years ago but Nigel only joined her three years ago.

Denise used to compete on her old horse, Max, and they travelled all over the country to different events. Nigel used to take his bike and go off cycling and then gradually became involved in helping at competitions.

When Max had to be put down in old age, the couple decided to buy two horses so that they could take part in pairs competitions together.

Duffy, eight, and Gem, seven, both came from Ireland.

“They both have really nice temperaments and they are getting better at Trec, though there is still room for improvement.

“As we both work full time, they are our hobbies,” said Denise.

Le Trec began in France and was introduced into the UK in 1998 by the BHS.

It was developed from the expertise required of horse and rider while out hacking and has become increasingly popular because it is so accessible.

Skills are tested over three phases – orienteering on horseback, control of paces and a cross-country/obstacle course.

People of all ages can take part and even if you are nervous for instance about jumping, this is not compulsory.

“There are jumps but if you don’t want to do a particular obstacle you can opt out, you just lose points,” explained Denise.

She is a finance manager at North Yorkshire County Council and Nigel works for Leeds City Council as a surveyor.

They live in Tadcaster and keep their horses at Stockwell Stud Livery, which is nearby and where they also have lessons with Davina Cockroft. They are members of Ackworth Riding Club and also the White Horse Trec Group which covers the East Midlands and Yorkshire and runs regular events and training sessions.

They are now looking forward to the start of the season and Denise says their aim this year is to qualify and compete at the British Championships.

The BHS competitions are run across four levels which cater for beginners through to people at international level.

There are two leagues, the SEIB BHS Trec League, which runs from March to October and the Kelly Marks ‘Perfect Partners’ Winter Series, which runs from October through the March.

One of these will be running indoors at Askham Bryan College, York tomorrow and will feature classes for newcomers and open level. No more entries can be accepted but spectators are welcome.

For more information about Trec go to www.bhs.org.uk and following the links to Trec.

Cory quick to defend value of equine qualifications for £4bn industry

THE British Horse Society has written to the Department for Education asking ministers to reconsider the decision to remove equine vocational qualifications from the GCSE school league tables.

The BHS believes this decision will have significant implications for the £4bn horse industry, particularly for training centres and their staff. Graham Cory, chief executive of the BHS, said: “The combination of entry level animal science with the practical elements of horse husbandry in the equine vocational courses provide a challenge, the rigour of which can stand comparison with the majority of GCSEs.”

Bishop Burton College is to continue its sponsorship of the Under-25s competition at Bramham International Horse Trials. The college has supported the CCI three-star U25 competition for the past eight years.

This follows the news that Bramham has a new title sponsor this year, the Yorkshire horse transport company Equi-Trek.

The Under-25s attracts entries from leading young riders. Last year’s winner year was Helen Dunning on Keep Your Options Open. Other British riders in the top 10 included Emily Llewellyn, Paul Simms, Ben Hobday and Angus Males.

The event runs from June 7-10 and the online box office is now open.

The Old Raby Hunt Club hold their point-to-point meeting at Witton Castle near Bishop Auckland tomorrow. The first of the six races, the Hunt Club Members Conditions Race, starts at noon.

The men’s Open race has attracted a particularly good entry of 22, including some quality runners.

Sheriff Hutton ran a good race to finish a close second at Alnwick two weeks ago but the favourite is likely to be Oedipe, who is aimed at this year’s Foxhunters race at Cheltenham.