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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 traffic created quite a sight. Many people
asked, “What's going on?” as the camp of horses and walkers moved
swiftly through the traffic, 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 staff from the governor's
Department of Constituent Affairs.
Though
the staff 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
Affairs 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. Visit Garry on-line at Dream Adventures.
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