FLAMSTEAD BRANCH TETRATHLON WHAT IS TETRATHLON? Pony Club tetrathlon provides members with a sociable, fun and multi-sport competition that requires practical horsemanship and good overall athletic ability. It comprises 4 phases, normally held over the course of a weekend: 1. Riding. Normally XC but sometimes Showjumping (“Arena Tet”). The levels are set on age, but if you are not ready to jump your age height, there is normally an option to Jump Down for some penalty points. For a clear round you score maximum 1400 points, and then points are deducted for any stops or infringements. Training is with normal Rallies, and 3 or 4 times a year there is specific Tet XC training with the Area. There is nearly always an option at competitions to leave the riding phase out and compete in a Triathlon instead. In fact, during the Winter months there are many competitions that are only Triathlons. 2. Swimming. Normally in a 25metre indoor pool. Competitors swim 1, 2, 3 or 4 minutes depending on their age, and the distance you swim is then converted into points. An optimum distance earns you 1000 points but you can earn more if you are a good swimmer. You need to be able to swim 25m unaided as a minimum, but otherwise you don’t need to have any particular swim experience. Tet swim Training is available at Berkhamsted on Friday evenings (although there is a waiting list at present as it is so popular). 3. Shooting. From age 8 upwards you shoot with air pistols at targets from 7m or 10m depending on your age. The maximum score you can shoot is 1000. It gets progressively more difficult as 1 handed and turning targets are introduced. We run regular shoot training with our Coach, Phil Jenkins near Redbourn and have a great record of producing excellent shots as a result. Under the age of 8 you thrown beanbags at a target, which is scored the same as shooting. 4. Running. Either round a field or on a track depending on the location. Competitors are normally started one at a time and they are timed over a set distance. Distances start at 500m for the Under 8’s and go up to 3000m for Open Boys. Your time is converted into points with an optimum speed earning you 1000 points, but you can score more if you are a really good runner. Squad selection We love to welcome new members to our squad! The only requirement to join the Flamstead Tetrathlon squad is the ability to swim 25m unaided. Other than that we can find you options to train and compete at a level suitable to you. Team selection Every competition has individual and team elements; wherever we can we enter a team. Team selection is done firstly on availability and logistics! Very occasionally I have had to choose who is in or out a of team if we have odd numbers, in that instance it will be done on past scoring; this is a competition after all! Summarised Calendar of events: Winter Spring Summer Autumn Triathlons including Triathlons and Tetrathlons with Tetrathlons with Qualifier for Tetrathlons Triathlon option, Triathlon option National Winter including Area Triathlon Tetrathlon - qualifier for National Championships National Winter August - National Arena Tetrathlon Triathlon Final Tetrathlon (Show jumping) Championships 90 International (invite only), 100 International (invite only) Tetrathlon International Exhange Full national calendar can be found here: http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/sports/tetrathlon/calendar/ Areas and qualifiers Certain competitions have more stringent rules/restrictions as they are Qualifiers for National Championships: 1. Winter Triathlon Championships - Although the qualifiers will have sections for the younger children, only those in the Mini section (aged 10 and over) and above can qualify. 2. National Tetrathlon Championships - For those who qualify at the Area Tetrathlon at Junior level (age 12 and over) and above. You cannot ‘jump down’ at the qualifiers if you wish to compete. What is the difference between Tetrathlon and Modern Pentathlon? Tetrathlon is exclusively a Pony Club discipline, whereas Modern Pentathlon is a sport that can take you all the way to the Olympics. Instead of Pistol shooting, you shoot Laser guns; it’s show jumping rather than XC; and Fencing is added into the mix too. Plenty of Pony Club tetrathletes transition into Pentathlon, including Heather Fell, Jamie Cooke, and our current Area 12 co-ordinator’s daughter, Alex Bousfield, who last year won both the Open Girls Tetrathlon Championships and the 100 Internationals. Fact: All of the 4 female Olympic Modern Pentathlon medals (Sydney, Athens and Beijing) were won by athletes who came up through the Pony Club Tetrathlon competition. Why Flamstead? Flamstead Pony Club has a great history in Tetrathlon and a particularly strong squad at present, with one of the largest squads in the area, totalling 23 from Beanies to Intermediates. We have excellent training and really cool kit - so come along and give it a go! .