On today’s episode, Ute talks with Kathleen Schmitt, Equestrian Adventuress of the first hour. After finishing her education including horsemanship training in England and Germany, Kathleen headed off to her personal adventure of a lifetime. She crossed the USA from coast to coast on the back of her Arabian part-bred Murphy accompanied by her dog Country Boy who went along as her protector. This ride took place in 1981, a time without internet, mobile phones or hand-held GPS devises. Kathleen only had an unreliable map and a direction: West! She was on trail for seven months, crossing mountains, plains and deserts. She met countless people on the ride, got lost ever so often and finally published a book about her ride recently. We talk about her ride, about her book and why it took her such a long time to write it.
The Best That Can Happen – The Grand Trek
Written by Kathleen Schmitt
Meet Kathleen, Murphy, a Davenport Arabian cross and Country Boy, a boxer. This trio travelled the whole of the United States together from East to West. In her book, Kathleen describes the different countrysides she rides through and the people she encounters. A lovely read of a woman who lived her dream!
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Our Guests today:
Kathleen Schmitt (USA)
Equestrian Adventuress of the first hour, horse lover and trainer from Chicago, Illinois, went on her great adventure before settling in corporate life. She crossed the USA on horseback from coast to coast in seven months in 1981, when there were no mobile phones, no internet and no GPS devises.
Read more about Kathleen Schmitt on her website!
Don’t forget to check out the resources section in this article!
Highlights
- How did the idea of crossing the USA on horseback evolve
- Meeting people on the ride
- Books need to be written at a certain time
- Discovering your vocation by following your dream
Thank you for tuning in and happy trails!
Special Announcement
Today’s episode is sponsored by The Great Mongolian Ride:
In summer 2021 the longest charity ride in history will take place, The Great Mongolian Ride and you still have a chance of participating either for the full ten weeks or for part of the ride. The epic expedition will cross Mongolia from west to east, from the Altai Mountains to the Eastern Steppes and is a journey like none before.
Join in now as 20% of the total proceeds of the ride will go into the Misheel Charity Foundation, an NGO educating Mongolian children about Dental Care and sponsoring dental care and treatment of underprivileged Mongolian children.
If you want to know more about The Great Mongolian Ride click here.
Do you feel that we are missing out on an important topic? Or maybe you have an interesting story to tell? Contact Heather or Ute!
Resources
- Website of Kathleen Schmitt
- Horse Travel Book List
- Article about Exploring the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado
- EQA Online Shop
Thanks for listening to our horse podcast for Equestrian Adventuresses!
