Being a journalist has taught me many lessons. Some of them are only usable in the realm of journalism, but many apply to aspects of daily life. By far the most import lesson I’ve learned is that when you are acquiring important information you must always hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. Sure, you can read about a subject, research it on the net, or watch a film, but nothing will give you the true essence of what you are searching for like speaking to someone who has lived it.
That is why when I began to seriously plan my Long Ride home there was only one person in the world to contact – Legendary Long Rider CuChullaine O’Reilly.
O’Reilly has not only embarked on his own Long Rides, but he has devoted most of his working life to documenting equestrian travel and those who have jumped into the saddle and ridden into the unknown.
I have written several blogs explaining how much O’Reilly and the Long Riders Guild have helped me get to where I am today, and just how much of a legend he is. But now, to my surprise, he has taken the time to write some extremely kind words about my ride. I can’t thank O’Reilly and his wife Basha enough for their love and guidance.
Legendary Long Rider CuChullaine O’Reilly
“Prior to his departure on this historic ride, I warned Filipe that it wasn’t bandits and bears that posed the greatest threat to his dream of riding from Canada to Brazil. It was, I accurately predicted, the hostility of bureaucrats at the borders which would threaten to halt his progression.
The unreasonable antagonism which Filipe encountered at the Panamanian border marks a low mark in modern equestrian travel history. Panama has already unfairly halted many other travellers from continuing to ride either north or south. In one particularly infamous incident, Panamanian authorities threatened to shoot a Long Rider’s horses on the airport tarmac, if they were unloaded from the plane which had just brought them from Ecuador.
Anyone reading Filipe’s recent blog entry about this difficulty can sympathize with the tactical and emotional crisis he found himself in.
“With the Panamanian door literally slammed in my face, I was left winded and searching for a new plan of action. I felt so hopeless. So scared. And I feared the worst: having to leave Frenchie, Bruiser and Dude behind.”
Those of us who have followed and supported Filipe’s efforts from the beginning joined in his anxiety as weeks of delay turned into months of a paperwork nightmare, all the while he struggled to find a way to rescue his horses from the clutches of pen-pushers and office-wallahs.
Thankfully, he and his equine pals are now safely in Bolivia and their journey is once again on track.
Upon reflection, this incident reminded me of a scene from an old John Wayne movie. In that film a young man found himself worried, consumed with doubt, fearful that he when the moment of truth came he might not have the courage needed to overcome fearful odds.
In his rough way, the Duke expressed his confidence in the young man’s bravery.
Wayne said, “You’re going to find yourself standing your ground when you ought to run. Speaking out when you ought to keep your mouth shut. Doing things that seem wrong to a lot of people, but you’ll do them all the same. You’re not the type to run. You’re going to spend the rest of your life getting up one more time when you’re knocked down.”
And that’s what Filipe Leite has done. He has stood his ground, done the right thing, had the courage to get up when life knocked him down, to swing back into the saddle and ride on to Brazil.
Panama may bow its head in shame. But Brazil should be proud to welcome this hero home.” – CuChullaine O’Reilly, The Long Riders’ Guild
