November 2020 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN November 2020 Page 25 44 Edgefield Rd. • Quarryville, PA 17566 Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian. Exploring Pennsylvania on Horseback including location, weather and your horse. Sylvia Decker is us- ing two horses for the Challenge. “I have a four-year-old red dun quarter horse gelding named PSU Jack On The Rox (Jack) and a five year old palomino quarter horse mare named Shiners Dandifreckle (Dandi),” Sylvia said. “Jack is a good trail horse that does best on middle speed trail rides. He’s a steady-Eddie that is the same every time - always very solid. He doesn't mind deer running or traffic. Dandi is more of a get out and go [horse]. She’s best on faster moving trail rides although I have also done slower ones with her.” Jennifer said trail riding is Skippy’s favorite thing to do. “Skippy is calm and sure-footed,” she said. “He is comfortable crossing all types of terrain and hardly ever spooks. I haven't faced many challenges on the trail, but I have seen lots of wildlife on my rides. I often see deer, ducks, and turkeys. I have also spotted a great blue heron. Recently, I saw a snapping turtle.” According to Brandy, all the horses on her team are owned by her family and live at Rocky Ridge in Kersey, PA. “I am riding Bucky,” she said. “He is a 21-year-old Rocky Mountain grade gelding. Buck has a very slow and steady pace. He will go in any direction you point him. He will go out alone or bring up the rear of a group.” She spoke of her team mem- bers; Helayna Hollobough (age 13); Stephanie Keech (age 19); and Dannilyn Geitner (age 12). “Helayna is riding My Pal Hal who is a 13 year old Tennes- see Walker Draft cross. He is a little more on the spunky side but also a good trail horse. Stephanie is riding Blazin' Chaos, a 12 year old Pintoloosa. Blaze has been my Competitive Trail Ride mount for the past several years, but Stephanie uses him as her 4-H project animal. Dannilyn is riding a 17-year-old Appendix named America Runs on Dunkin.” Since the Keystone Chal- lenge opened on September 7, Brandy said the team has been on multiple rides and she has taken some extra rides on her own. She said she has plans for more. “I really enjoy trail riding,” she said, “especially at this time of year. My goal is to ride as many days as my schedule allows. I would like to haul the team to as many places as possible to day ride. I’d like to go to Big Elk Lick in Benezette, Kelly Pines in Marienville, Allegany State Park in New York, and maybe Camp Two-Mile in Franklin.” Jennifer shared Brandy’s optimism. “I am really enjoying this challenge. It has improved my horse's fitness level and I love how relaxed he is in the arena now,” Jennifer said. “I am excited to see how many miles we will track. “The autumn colors are at their best right now and riding in the woods is just beautiful!” Sylvia also chimed in. “The Keystone Challenge has been very good for both of my hors- es,” she said. “Trail rides mix up their normal routine and give them something different to think about. [It’s} also been a very good learning experience for me. As you ride for longer distances you need to keep your horse hydrated. I have learned about checking their vitals, feeding them hydration hay and hydrated beet pulp, and making sure that they drink water after rides. I have seen many new sights and pretty scenes. I have also [been able] to enjoy riding with friends much more often. Overall, this has been a great experience for me, and I would recommend trail riding to anyone.” Learn more about The Key- stone Challenge online at: https:// extension.psu.edu/.../ride-across- the-keystone-state. (Continued from page 22)