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A Long Ride To Sacramento, by Garry Stauber
 You don't often you see a horseman riding along the streets of Sacramento, heading towards the capitol. But riding towards capitols has been one man's priority for the past two years. He is Gene Glasscock, a 70-year-old man who has now ridden to 36 state capitols. This capitol adventure has totaled over 15,000 horseback miles so far. With 12 capitals to go on this three-year journey, Gene is still smiling.
This past Thursday (Dec. 9, 2004) Gene rode up to the California State Capitol, just another stop on his trek. On this beautiful, cool December day some of Gene's family (a son, daughter-in-law and seven grandchildren) joined him in a park about two miles from the capitol. They mingled with a few other supporters and friends like myself, who wanted to join Gene in this historic event. Jason Williams from the Bureau of Land Management was there and rode one of the two BLM-donated Mustangs that Gene is riding on his journey. Gene has four horses in his current string, Josie and Buddy (the Mustangs) and two Tennessee Walkers (George and Frank), who are named after two other famous Long Riders. One of Gene's grandsons rode George to the capitol, but Frank sat out the day, resting his tired and weary hooves.
Gene was joined by other friends and supporters who either rode on their horses or walked alongside them in support as they made their way to the California capitol building. All the horses and people walking in busy 10:00 a.m. Sacramento traccbic created quite a sight. Many people asked, "What's going on?" as the camp of horses and walkers moved swiftly through the traccbic, led by a humble man in an old, worn-out hat.
 At most capitols, Gene has been greeted by the governor of the state, who has then given a speech in honor of Gene's goals and accomplishments. In Sacramento, Gene was greeted by a large staccb from the governor's Department of Constituent Accbairs.
Though the staccb initially appeared hopeful, our California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was unable to meet Gene personally. He did send a letter he had written in Gene's honor, which was read by Brian Jones, Constituent Accbairs Director.
Gene's letter from the California governor read,
The Golden State has a history of hospitality for explorers from around the world and it is my pleasure to welcome you to California's State Capitol.
Your endeavor is a perfect example of the spirit of California. You have taken up the cause of the Phillips Fund to help a few, and in doing so, you have rallied and inspired countless others. Your example of selflessness is a reminder for all Californians to use every resource to champion noble causes.
As you cross through our state on a route that has not been attempted in over a hundred years we commend you for you heart, courage and strength.
On behalf of all Californians, I congratulate you on the completion of this portion of your journey. Happy trails and best wishes!
Sincerely
Arnold Schwarzenegger
This capitol adventure is not Gene's first Long Ride. In fact, Gene is in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" for riding 12,000 miles in 1985, from the Arctic Circle to the Equator. Though Gene's current trip will total almost 24,000, twice the earlier trip, he will not make Ripley's again. Gene will not be the first person to ride to all the lower 48 state capitols. That honor goes to George Beck, who finished his trip in California in 1912. George expected a hero's welcome when he rode into San Francisco, but instead, his entrance went almost unnoticed. George Beck died tragically, an alcoholic in the streets of San Francisco, and his horse (Pinto) was sold to become a packhorse.
 That sad fate which is highly unlikely for Gene, as his spirits are always high. I learned a lot about Gene last September when I interviewed him for Ride! Magazine. I learned that Gene is just an ordinary man who, as Governor Schwarzenegger pointed out, was "using whatever resource to champion (a) noble cause."
"I know I'm older now. But I can still swing into that saddle. So even if I have to ride a little slower, I want older people to look at me and realize they don't have to just sit on the porch and do nothing. I'm proof positive that they can mount up, ride out, and still live life!" Gene told The Long Riders' Guild. The Long Riders Guild is an organization that tracks all current and past Equine Travelers who ride over 1000 continuous miles. The Guild reports there are only 200 people alive today in all the world who have done so. That is not a very big number, when you consider that over 1700 people have climbed Mount Everest.
The questions Gene hears most often are: Where do you get the money to do this? and Why do you do it? His joking answer is, "I rob banks along the way, which is the answer to both questions.". But the truth is that he gets his retirement pension from the military and he does this for the children of Paraguay.
Gene has 42 grandchildreno of his own. But he says the children of Paraguay are his real children. You have to understand that Gene is not in any way discounting his love for his own children. Instead he says, "They have a good life and are well taken care of, unlike the children of Paraguay." Gene first went to Paraguay as a missionary and fell in love with the country's youth.
The Philips Fund, which Gene rides for, is to provide funds for the youth of Paraguay to come to the U.S. for education. They agree in advance to return to Paraguay and work in community service, using the education they have received, to help the communities for as long as they spent obtaining that education.
I'm kind of sad that our governor wasn't able to come out and meet Gene. I think he missed the opportunity to meet an incredible man. Someone who is an ordinary human being, like you and I, yet did the extraordinary to accomplish the goal of helping others. Isn't that what "government "is all about?
To see a map of Gene's route (updated in October), visit http://www.geneglasscock.org/
At the time of this writing, Gene is riding outside of Sacramento, CA on route 20, heading towards Highway 101 to Oregon, where he will need lots of support and assistance along the way. Please contact Gayle at emt439@yahoo.com if you are along the route and able to help.
If you want to help Gene's Charity, the Phillips Fund, please contact the Pensacola Christian College, P.O.Box 18000, Pensacola, Florida, 32523-9160, Attention: Phillips Fund
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| Copyright Garry Stauber © 2004 All rights reserved. The above article is the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in any way without permission. Read more Unbridled News by Garry at our sister site, the Bay Area Equestrian Network. Visit Garry on-line at Dream Adventures. |
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