Meghan Wert, Kylie Wert and Sylvia Decker on the trail.
When Covid cancelled one of their popular events, employees at the Pennsylvania State University extension office put their heads together. Equine Extension Associate, Bethany Bickle took the lead, and a ride – of sorts - across the state of Pennsylvania was planned.
“Due to Covid-19 we had to cancel our Competitive Trail Ride that we usually host every September,” Bickle said. “While the Keystone Challenge is not a replacement for that event, it has allowed our members an activity to participate in related to trail riding. Our initial goal was to see if participants could log enough miles to ‘ride across Pennsylvania.’ They shattered that goal after only one week.”
The challenge began on September 7, 2020, finishing on November 2. Individual participants and those riding in teams are logging their miles throughout the week, with report totals made public on Mondays and Tuesdays, each hoping to ride 283 miles, the length of the state of Pennsylvania.
“Our participants exceeded our expectations and logged over 622.78 miles during the first week, riding across Pennsylvania – east to west- two times!” Bickle said.
By the end of September 937.49 miles had been logged with youth participants logging 200.06 miles, adults logging 83.66 miles and teams logging 653.72 miles. So far, over 90 riders of all ages have signed up to participate.
“I decided to sign up because my best friend, Meghan Wert, is an endurance rider,” 15-year-old Sylvia Decker said. “We went on to assemble a team called Trail Blazers. Our team is made up of Meghan, her younger sister Kylie, and one of our good friends, Savannah [Sowers].”
Sylvia isn’t the only 4-Her to join a team or participate.
“I think that the idea of trying to ride across the state is a cool accomplishment,” said 16-year-old Jennifer Chichra, who is riding her 13-year-old Quarter horse, Skippy.
Jennifer either rides independently, or with her mom, Linda on the trails around their residence in Butler County. They have plans to trailer to other locations in the coming weeks.
"I love nature and trail riding is a great way to explore it,” Linda said. “It gives me a chance to spend quality time with my daughter. [My horse,] Zephyr loves it just as much as I do. He perks up when he is out on the trail".
Jennifer said trail riding has been good for her and Skippy.
“I find trail riding very peaceful and relaxing for both the horse and rider,” she said. “My horse has become calmer and more fit through this trail challenge. I enjoy riding with my mom, too. We have formed a strong bond over our love of horses.”
Leader of the Stride for Stride 4-H Saddle Club in Elk County, Brandy Hollobaugh has competed in the cancelled Competitive Trail Ride annually for the past four years. In lieu of its cancellation, she quickly signed up for the new challenge with her team, the Rocky Ridge Riders.
“This would have been my fifth consecutive year as a competitor. The Keystone Challenge does not share many similarities to the CTR except that it is measured and reported in miles. Most horse riding activities get measured in hours - not miles. They both encourage trail riding, [but] the CTR is more of a fast pace style of riding, where this challenge does not need to [involve] speed.”
Bickle said participants receive a weekly email with the mileage totals and current standings. After logging miles, participants are encouraged to share photos on social media with the hashtags #PA4HHorse, #RidingAcrosstheKeystoneState and #TheKeystoneChallenge.
“We are trying to add an element of fun to the emails,” said Bickle. “For example, [one] week we figured with the ‘total miles’ they would have reached Austin, Texas. So, within the email we included fun facts about Texas.”
As an added educational component, Bickle said they offered webinars in September and October that relate to competitive trail riding, recreational riding, the health and management aspect of caring for a horse while on the trail, and how to prepare your horse for the trail.
“Our hope is that those participating will learn more about competitive trail riding through the webinars we’re offering, along with how to condition and manage your horse's health during a trail ride,” she said. “It also serves as a way to help those that may be interested in our competitive trail ride that may not be ready for the 25 mile ride, but may be interested in the conditioning ride division that is only 12.5 miles in length.”
How much you enjoy the ride depends on many variables, including location, weather and your horse. Sylvia Decker is using 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 members; 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 Tennessee 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 Challenge 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 horses,” 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.”