![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sanantoniohams.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/rio_bonito2-350x262.jpg\" "\\"rio_bonito2\\"")
<\/a>\nLouis Upton – K5STX
\nHill Country REACT
\ne-mail: trlrider@gvec.net
\ncell: 830-305-2889<\/p>\n
The when, where and how about what we are needing:
\nDate: October 2, 2010
\nWhere: Rio Bonito Ranch – Junction, TX – actually approximately halfway between Junction and Kerrville right off I-10
\nTimes: Event Briefing: 0830 hrs – Event Start 1000 hrs Event Completion: 1430 – 1500 hrs<\/p>\n
What: American Competitive Trail Horse Association – a national organizational format with numerous events around the country in every state.\u00a0 The event sets up 6 obstacles, natural and man made, in a 6 to 7 mile course in which the horse and rider are judged on their ability to handle the obstacle.\u00a0 The event is capped at 100 participants, and most events easily reach this cap.
\nThis event is a not for profit event, of which all proceeds are donated to Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Organizations in the state of Texas.\u00a0 All donations stay in the state!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Our task: Providing we have enough operators, we will have an operator at each of the 6 obstacles, event control\/headquarters, and possibly one of more mounted operator bringing up drag (turtle, the rear).\u00a0 We are there to assist the judges with tracking of the participants and their progress through the course and to relay critical or emergency information relating to either the horse or the rider.\u00a0 Our task is Safety first and foremost.\u00a0 If we are asked to handle another task within our abilities, and the chosen operator is willing, then we will handle that also.<\/p>\n
Other:
\n– I have been advised that lunch on Saturday will be provided to our volunteers.\u00a0 Other meals will be available at a reasonable cost, and healthy portions.
\n– Rio Bonito T-shirts and ACTHA Bucks (coupons to ACTHA sponsoring vendors, most of which are equine oriented, but their may be others).
\n– Overnight camping on the ranch is free to all volunteers.
\n– Our Radio Volunteers with horses are allowed to bring them – of course negative coggins is required!\u00a0\u00a0 There will be a guided ride Sunday by the ranch manager.
\n– Sorry, being a not for profit event, we are not able to secure fuel money ( but then again, when do we! \ud83d\ude42 )
\n– Alan Lee, the guide for Rio Bonito Ranch, and a frequent television figure on “Hunting with the Judge,” will be filming riders and obstacles during the CTC.<\/p>\n
Stations:
\nThree are easily accessible by car\/truck (#’s 1, 2 and 6).\u00a0 Not sure how rough access to the other stations are!\u00a0 The ranch guide, Alan Lee, will be dropping off and picking up some of the judges to the harder-to-reach obstacles in his Suburban.\u00a0 He could do the same for your team members.
\n– Note: I will not ask anyone to take their vehicles anywhere they do not want to.
\n– This means we will need a couple of operators with portable equipment to handle 3, 4, or 5.\u00a0 A 5 watt HT with portable antenna may do the trick.<\/p>\n
Comms:
\n– Alpha – Simplex 147.52
\n– Bravo – Junction\/Midway Repeater – 146.840 (or is it 146.740) – need clarification of location!<\/p>\n
– If you have a set of the FRS\/GMRS radios – bring them, they have proven to be quite useful during events such as this, should the obstacle and the ham operator be separated for some reason.\u00a0 During the April ACTHA event in Bandera, we use FRS, 2m, and Commercial to get an injured rider out of a tough spot.<\/p>\n
– Packet: I do not intend to set up a formal packet net for this event, but, if you have the capability and would like to practice with it, I will bring my equipment.\u00a0 Packet will again play a big role in the Bandera 100k in January.<\/p>\n
Weather: If heavy rain is expected, rain date will be set at a later date.\u00a0 Otherwise come prepared for some light rain and bring your slicker!\u00a0 Also, this is Texas Hill Country at its best, be prepared for a possible cold snap.<\/p>\n
Directions:<\/p>\n
DIRECTIONS TO OUR RIDE:<\/p>\n
Out of San Antonio take Hwy 10 West. Take the Hwy 290 East exit. After exiting, turn left and go u and over Hwy 10.\u00a0 Take the access road on South West side of Hwy 10. (Hwy 10 will now be on your right) Go 4 miles – on left side of the road, look for sign on the gate that reads “Rio Bonito Ranch.” After going through the gate follow\u00a0 the road\u00a0 keeping to the right.\u00a0 You will pass the road to the Broken Arrow Ranch, keep right at that fork.\u00a0 At the next fork, turn left and drive up into the campgrounds.\u00a0 Sins will be posted.\u00a0 Please leave all gates as you find them.\u00a0\u00a0 Note:\u00a0 The Rio Bonito Ranch Road is very wide and unobstructed, so any size rig can make it into the campgrounds without any problem.\u00a0 However, the road is rough in places, so allow 1\/2 hour to slowly navigate the 4 miles into the campground.<\/p>\n
From the north:\u00a0 Take I-10 East to the Old Segovia Rd. Exit.\u00a0 Stay on the access road for 2 miles.\u00a0 You will see the Rio Bonito Ranch sign on the gate.<\/p>\n
Links of interest: ACTHA : http:\/\/www.actha.us\/ – information on the national organization.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sanantoniohams.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/rio_bonito4.jpg\" "\\"rio_bonito4\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nEvent Specific: http:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3a2o7ww\u00a0 – detailed information on the event, directions to the ranch, etc.<\/p>\n