This past week the Long Riding community has lost one of its brightest lights. English Long Rider Christine Henchie passed away Monday, January 28, after being struck by a bus in Tanzania. The news came as a huge shock to me as I have been following her progress for the past year. I can’t stop thinking about Christine, her family and her Fiance – South African Long Rider Billy Brenchley who was lucky to escape death by inches. My love goes out to them in this difficult time.
Christine and Billy started their Long Ride (African Hoofprints) in 2007 from the most northern point in Africa, Cap Blanc Tunisia, headed for the most southern point of the continent, Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Together they faced danger and hardship as they crossed Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Southern Sudan, and Uganda. In an article written by CuChullaine O’Reilley, the founder of the Long Riders Guild, he refers to Christine as “the most experienced female Long Rider of the 21st century.”
“…A woman who overcame deadly deserts and rode through a war zone, a lady whose love and loyalty never faltered, has been taken from us far too early,” O’Reilley writes in his article for horsetalk.
O’Reilley also goes on to write about how traffic has become the modern day Long Rider’s worst nightmare. I have to agree. Since leaving Calgary I have had my fair share of “hold your breath” moments due to flying trucks and cars. In today’s society, drivers seem to emulate the speed of the internet and have zero respect for someone riding a horse on the side of the road. I don’t understand how someone can see a horse and rider and not even take their foot a little bit off the gas. As if losing a few seconds will be the end of their lives. What they don’t understand is that the way they drive may very well lead them there.
My route south has been plagued with crosses for those who have lost their lives racing towards the days end. Every name and date of birth I have passed from the province of Alberta to the state of Durango has sent chills down my back. In New Mexico, two cars collided right in front of my eyes. After the collision I ran to both cars, as Emma held the horses, to make sure everyone was okay. An elderly lady sat in the backseat of one of the cars crying in shock. I will never forget the noise the cars made as the metal collided with brute force.
This is a plea to everyone around the globe – Please slow down. Life is way too precious to rush through it. If there is one thing that this journey has taught me, it’s that when you slow everything down, you are able to find happiness in the little things and see life’s true beauty.
I would like to dedicate the miles I have already travelled and the miles I have yet to trek to Christine, Billy and their horses Chami, Nali and Rahaal. My deepest condolences go out to Christine’s family and friends and the family of the Tanzanians who were also killed by the accident.
