BEST OF AMERICA BY HORSEBACK'S MEXICO TO CANADA TRAIL RIDE A SUCCESS
The 2,200-mile, 5 month horseback trail ride adventure has been a complete success with the final ceremonies on Saturday, September 5, 2009. Riders from 43 states and the countries of Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Austria, Germany and France will arrive in Saskatchewan Canada with a perfect time schedule, being noon on Saturday.
This ride is being led by Outdoorsmen and Outfitter, Tom Seay of Virginia, who also organized and led a 3,311-mile horseback trail ride from the Atlantic to Pacific in 1995. Seay is also the Host of the nationally televised show, Best of America by Horseback.
The significance of this trail ride has been taking trail riding to a new level where Seay has included all horse breeds and rider ability levels to see the beauty of America by horseback. Kenneth Abbott of Georgia said, "Tom Seay has proven his abilities to take virtually anyone, anywhere by horseback." Seay was quoted as saying, "This ride demonstrates a new level of impact for communities across America to benefit from economically during these depressed times. The financial impact on these communities is immediate, significant and clear. I am not sure of any other single issue all segments of the horse world can agree on, other than the significance of trail riding as an adventure sport and as a true advantage to communities."
One relevant outcome of this 5-month adventure is for the Best of America by Horseback group to fully show what products and services really work in the real world. Seay and many of his riders are currently accepting invitations to speak about this adventure at horse expos, state fairs and clinics around the country. Trail riders ranged in age from 16 to 88 years old. The riders opened three rodeos, were featured in six parades and attended dozens of community events as they were welcomed from town to town during their journey. The ride began in El Paso on April 19th, followed the Rio Grande northward, traversed the famous Journey of Death Trail, the White Sands Desert and included in their travels the crossing of trails such as the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Sante Fe Trail, the famous footsteps of the cattle drives, the Pony Express route, and the Lewis and Clark Trail.
This entire adventure was captured on video for an upcoming series on the Best of America by Horseback television show. Seay was further quoted as saying, "We're nearing the end of this magnificent and enjoyable ride, but we are also looking forward to going home, getting back to farming, visiting the grandkids and maybe thinking about where the next ride will be."
August 14, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACROSS AMERICA HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDE A SUCCESS
Horseback riders from 41 states and 7 countries entered North Dakota this morning (their final state) on a two thousand mile every-step-of-the-way journey from Mexico to Canada.
Led by Outdoorsman and Outfitter, Tom Seay of Culpeper, Virginia, the group left Mexico on April 21, 2009 and will arrive in Saskatchewan, Canada on September 5, 2009.
Seay was quoted as saying, "Many of the riders were inexperienced and rode horses ranging from every breed and price range. The riders come from every age group and every part of America. They have shown their heart and willingness to adapt to virtually any condition. Many skeptics predicted they would not last two weeks riding the deserts and vast plains. The ride has been virtually flawless with nearly all riders that began the trip making it safely thus far." Seay went on to say, "I am incredibly proud to guide and lead this group as their Trail Master and if I continue the ride next year to the Yukon or beyond, I would want every single one of them with me!"
The ride traversed America following the Rio Grande River through the White Sands Desert, including the famous "Journey of Death Trail," following the historic cattle drive trails, the Sante Fe Trail, the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and will cross parts of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Mark Laney, CEO of Best of America by Horseback says: "Our little 'traveling town' has developed into one big family and the diverse backgrounds and personalities have blended together, subsumed by the common thread of everyone's love of horses and trail riding on this monumental four and a half month, over 2,000 mile trail riding adventure."
The Best of America by Horseback group was assisted by nationally known cowboy singer, Del Shields of Humboldt, Kansas. He rode "Naked" across America (that is the name of his horse!) He entertained by the campfire as well at large community group events throughout the adventure. Shields, who just released his fourth album has been a fixture on Best of America by Horseback television show for five years, which is seen across the nation weekly.
The ride and riders have been welcomed by dozens of communities, including opening three rodeos, six parades and greeted by diginitaries, including mayors, governors and the Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota. The riders themselves have been recognized by over thirty govenors of various states. The entire trip is being filmed for a new television series, which will be in high definition.
An article in the Las Cruces, NM travel magazine was quoted as saying, "This may well be the last great trail ride of our lifetime!" Seay was quoted as saying, "I'm not sure about that, as our last ride was a 3, 311 mile ride from the Atlantic to the Pacific, which was equally successful. I think there is a lot more of America still to be explored and seen by horseback. You have to remember this is America, where we don't have border guards, checkpoints to cross state lines or any infringement on our freedom to travel by government permit."
The Mexico to Canada Trail Ride route chosen in one hundred percent on private range land, deeded property, state and city parks by invitation or rural county owned dirt roads.
For Immediate Release-- Thursday, July 30, 2009 Contact: Wanda Goodman 605-773-3301 wanda.goodman@state.sd.us
Public Welcome of Cast and Crew of the TV Series: Best of America by Horseback
Pierre, SD-- Cowboys and horses will bring plenty of commotion to the community of Belle Fourche on August 5, 2009, when the Best of America by Horseback cast and crew trots into town.
"We welcome the Best of America by Horseback television crew with open arms here in South Dakota," said Richard Benda, secretary of the Department of Tourism and Economic Development. "The cast and crew will have spent about a month's time traveling through our state and we are honored that South Dakota has been a part of this amazing trail ride."
Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard will welcome the cast and crew to the state at the Center of the National Memorial in Belle Fourche on August 5, 2009 at 3:30 pm, MT. The media and public are welcome to attend. Following the public welcome, refreshments will be served and attendees will be entertained by local musicians with the Belle Fourche Jackpot Rodeo to begin at 6 pm, MT.
Bikers and motorcycles will also be riding into town on this day. In conjunction with the public welcome there will be a Freedom Ride with the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group. Veterans and non-veterans alike will ride from the Broken Spoke campground in Sturgis on up to the Center of the Nation Memoria in Belle Fourche. Bikers are invited to stay for the public welcome to be honored and recognized for their service. About the Best of America by Horseback TV Series: The extensive trail ride covers nearly 2,000 miles from the Mexico border on up to the Canadian border. The crew began their ride in April and will arrive in Saskatchewan, Canada in September. The crew averages about 15-20 miles per day, riding three to four days and resting one to two days. The ride consists of about 50 core riders and is accompanied by a safety vehicle and trailer as much as possible. The television series can be seen weekly on RFD-TV. Learn more by visiting www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com
Photo by Tim Keller
5-15-09 MEXICO TO CANADA TRAIL RIDERS HELP TO REACH THE 100,000 MILE MARK The Mexico to Canada Trail Riders riding with the Best of America by Horseback television show, seen weekly on the nationally broadcast RFD-TV network, will reach the 100,000 mile mark for the cumulative trail miles ridden by horseback riders riding with Best of America by Horseback since the show began in 2005. This milestone is expected to be reached on or near May 20, 2009. The riders participating in the Mexico to Canada Trail Ride from 24 states began the ride on April 21, 2009 at the US/Mexico border will be having a rest over in Moriarty, NM throughout this weekend. ....read more....
5-8-09 MEXICO TO CANADA TRAIL RIDERS COMPLETE THE "JOURNEY OF DEATH" TRAIL Best of America by Horseback’s Mexico to Canada Trail Ride, with riders from 24 states, arrived in San Antonio, New Mexico, after crossing the White Sands Desert on the famous Jornado del Muerto, "Journey of Death" trail.....read more....
Best of America by Horseback
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Headquarters: Leatherwood Mountains 512 Meadow Rd. Ferguson, NC 28624 Toll free: 877.736.8686 General Info & Ride Sign-Ups Virginia Office: 17275 Germanna Hwy., Culpeper, VA 22701 Phone: 540.829.9555 General Info, Sponsorship or MCTR Texas Office: 600 Ash St. Plainview, TX 79072 Phone: 806.293.3711 For Sponsorship Fax: 540-301-0217 info@bestofamericabyhorseback.com
