HRH THE EARL OF WESSEX KG KCVO TO LAUNCH
TREC CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Earl of Wessex, is to open the 2006 TREC European Championships at Dunster Castle, on September 15.
During the ceremony, His Royal Highness will meet team members from all 10 competing nations, as well as organisers of the three-day championships, the first international TREC event to be held in this country.
His Royal Highness will be accompanied to the castle at noon by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Gass.
TREC, the youngest of the UK's international equestrian sports, concentrates on orienteering and tests a rider's ability to cross strange countryside and negotiate unusual obstacles. The competing element of the Championships will be based at East Luccombe Farm, near Minehead.
Before His Royal Highness formally declares the Championships open, Steven Pugsley, chairman of the Exmoor National Park Authority, and Herve Delambre,president of the sport's international governing body, FITE (Federation Internationale de Tourisme Equestre) will welcome the visiting riders and supporters.
National squads, each with four of their horses, will line up for the
ceremony, and Chefs d'Equipes will present riders to His Royal Highness. There will then be a reception when The Earl of Wessex will meet officials, organisers and major sponsors.
Ends
* For more information, please contact Mrs Diane Stanton (Lord-Lieutenants
office) tel: 01823 355509 or Peter Jeffery, tel: 01643 831011. For
championship information, visit visit www.equinetourism.co.uk and