On September 20, 2014 the Penn State University Extension hosted the annual 4-H Keystone Ride, a competitive trail ride in the Rothrock State Forest. Thirty one entrants rode their horses over a twenty eight mile course starting and ending at the Penn Roosevelt State Park. Amateur Radio Operators (ARO) from the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) provided communications throughout the course of the ride.
The course is challenging with a number of elevation changes and varying surfaces from vehicular gravel roads to trails that are too rough for a vehicle. The ride tests the horsemanship of the riders more than their speed. Horses are checked by veterinarian prior to, at mid point, and at the end of the ride. Over and under times and/or undue stress on the horse cause a loss of points.
AROs staffed eleven positions on the course. Participants were:
- Joyce Kreuter, AA3SQ
- Rod Kreuter, WA3ENK
- Emily Rayburn, KB3ZUP
- Jim Rayburn, W3JIM
- Elaine Prestia, K3ERP
- Carmine Prestia, K3CWP
- Sharon Gaisler, N3SG
- Woody Brem, K3YV
- Matt Shaw, KB3YOX
- Mike Coslo, N3LI
- John Snell, N3HQD
- John Guizar, K3JEG
- Ken Johnson, KB2BH
Though a little cold and foggy in the morning, the weather was beautiful for the rest of the day. Riders started at 08:00 with one rider being released every thirty seconds. A Net Control Station (NCS) was staffed by KB1BH and K3ERP at the Start/Finish at the 4-H Camp in Penn Roosevelt State Park. NCS maintained contact with the Incident Commander (IC), Ms. Andrew Kocher of the Penn State University Extension, or her deputy. Other AROs were positioned at points where direction changes might cause confusion. The overall goal was a safe and enjoyable day for all the participants in the event.
There were no injuries to riders or horses though two horses lost their right front shoes within minutes of one another. K3YV requested a horse trailer that was dispatched from the Start/Finish to pick up the horses and riders.
One of the spectators lost a cell phone and AROs immediately broadcast the presumed location and description to the net but an extensive search was unsuccessful. AROs also assisted in clearing up some questions about the supply of drinking water for the horses and the operation of the sweep riders.
Otherwise it was a very successful event from an Amateur Radio standpoint and Ms. Kocher echoed that sentiment to K3CWP at the conclusion.
This year’s event saw significant family participation as spouses AA3SQ/WA3ENK (with daughter Rebecca), K3YV/N3SG, KB3ZUP/W3JIM (and their children), K3ERP/K3CWP were in attendance and K3JEG brought his wife Leah and their children. This is a good trend for Amateur Radio and the Nittany Amateur Radio Club.
Our thanks to the Penn State Extension Office and Ms. Kocher for asking us to participate again this year. Special thanks also to Eric Prescott, W3EDP, who started coordinating the event but was called away on family business. He turned the coordination over to Carmine Prestia, K3CWP.