The trips on horseback briefly summarized here are unknown in Europe. They are extraordinary adventures, in many cases achived thanks to the resistance of Criollo horses.

We must thank CuChullaine O'Reilley (Fonder of The Long Riders' Guild) for having transmitted and authorized the publication of this exceptional information, which he collects patiently and with passion. So that the experience gained by these travellers doesn't go forgotten, CuChullaine is writing an anthology of voyages on horseback.

James Greenwood (England)

James is the only long-distance rider to have gone around the globe. Alone with his Criollo horses, he began travelling across South America, from Brazil to Lima, Peru. James continued his exceptional voyage through Japan, Malaysia, and crossed India to return to his home in London. He published a book, No gun, big smile, which tells the story of the South American part of his journey.

Now in England, James says he has abandoned all that. His knowledge of riding and travelling techniques, certainly extensive, is a well-kept secret.

John Labouchere (England)

As a school boy, John often read about the exploits of Aimé-Félix Tschiffeley. In 1990, he was able to act out a childhood dream: with three Criollos, he covered a part of Tschiffeley's path in South America.

During the voyage, John had a serious accident in an isolated region of Argentina when his Criollo fell off a cliff. John fell on his back, and the horse smashed the lower part of his body. He was saved when a passing motorist found him and brought him to the closest hospital, which was many miles away from the site of the accident. Even though his body was literally broken in the fall, John was able to recover and continue his journey through thousands of miles in South America.

Once his voyage reached its end, he sent the Criollos back to England, where rider and horses currently reside. He has first-hand knowledge of Criollos and administrative problems in South America, and can at least recommend a good Argentine hospital...

Eugene Glasscock (USA)

Eugene lives and works in Paraguy. In May of 1984 he began a voyage from the Artic circle to the equator, arriving at his destination of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, in April of 1986.

During his trip, one of his horses was poisoned, and Eugene was thrown in prison for no reason. In light of this series of adventures, it is remarkable that Eugene was able to accomplish what he did, crossing the jungle of Darien. This impenetrable and dangerous desert separates Panama from Columbia, and thus Central from South America.

The only other equestrian expedition that tempted this same trail before Eugene was sponsored by the Royal Geographic Society, and led by John Blashford-Snell. Although this expedition was considered a success, they lost 5 of their 28 horses in the jungle. Eugene, with his experience as a mountain man, was able to adapt to the harsh conditions of the trip with much success. When he couldn't get horseshoes he made them, cutting up old tires to fit the horse's hoof.

Eugene is the only person with specific information about crossing the jungle of Darien on horseback. Now in Paraguay, he works in a mission. Eugene knows a lot about horses, trails, and difficulties.

Louis Bruhnke & Vladimir Fissenko

In January of 1988, Louis (American) and Vladimir (Russian) began their voyage on horseback starting from the Tierra del Fuego and finishing 29,000 km farther in mid-September of 1993 on the edges of the Artic Ocean in Alaska (Prudhoe Bay).

At least one Criollo made the trip with them. It is interesting to note that during the trip, they used Easyboots rather than traditional horseshoes. They had excellent results with the Easyboots, and thus avoided dependance on local horseshoers.

Vladimir is, to our knowledge, the only long-distance rider to come out of Russia.