Major Janis Arena, Cavalry Commandant,
15th August, Danielson, CT
"Yesterday my boyfriend and I were driving on Route 44 in Danielson CT and who did we see riding along the roadside going in the opposite direction but Gene Glasscock and his two horses. He looked wonderful. We were excited to see him as we had heard about him on the local nightly news and on other shows. We did some errands and were returning home to Uxbridge MA when we passed by a McDonald's with the two horses tied to a post in front. What a sight! We then stopped at a store to pick up cold drinks and when we pulled out of the parking lot, we stopped to let Gene and horses pass by. We wished him good luck and we got a big smile and a thank you from him. We are glad we saw this amazing gentleman and we wish him luck throughout his journey.
It makes us realize that anyone can do anything they want if they just put their mind to it."
Anne-Marie Colonero and Richard Brown
18th August - Coventry, CT
"Yesterday at mid-morning, I was grooming my horse at the farm where I keep him and in comes this man with Western tack (I didn't yet see the horses). I thought to myself (since we are a hunter/jumper show barn), "buddy, you must be in the wrong place." As it turns out, it was Gene Glascock and he was most certainly in the right place!! He and his horses are now staying at Kingsley Farm in Coventry, CT where the wonderful owner and trainer, Dee Dee Hopper, and her assistant trainer, Leslie Poirier, are hosting him and his horses until Tuesday when he starts his journey towards Connecticut's capitol of Hartford. He is hoping to meet Governor John Rowland and/or Lt. Governor Jodi Rell. We had a party at the farm last night that had been planned for several weeks and we were fortunate enough to have Gene's company there. What an interesting, unique man with his stories of travel by horseback from the Arctic Circle to the Equator and now on his new epic traveling through all 48 states of the U.S. Best of luck to you Gene and thanks for stopping by and sharing yourself, your horses, and your stories with us!!"
Laurie Gundlach
24th August, Connecticut
"The Granby Horse Council and 1st Company Governor's Horse Guards of Connecticut had a beautiful day to share with Gene when, despite all of the hours and miles he puts in his saddle, he agreed to join us on our combined trail ride. The 2 1/2 hour ride started on the grounds of the Governor's Horse Guards and followed along the Farmington Valley Rail Trail to a local park known as Fisher Meadows and back again. It was a pleasure to meet a "real" cowboy like Gene who is living a dream most of us trail riders have only fancied on occasion, and putting it toward a good cause to boot! My husband Roger, shoes one of Gene's horses tomorrow, before he heads to NJ.
Happy Trails, Gene!"
Lisa Dinsmore, Stable Manager 1 Co. GHG
and Member, Granby Horse Council
28th August, North Granby, CT
"While Gene was traveling through the state of Connecticut, he stopped to visit Equistrides Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. in North Granby.
Equistrides Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the proven benefits of therapeutic horseback riding and equine related activities to those with special physical, emotional and cognitive needs in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Equistrides provides over 500 opportunities for persons with special needs to ride throughout the year. We are a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association premiere accredited year-round center and currently are serving individuals with 41 different disabilities.
Gene toured our facility and had an opportunity to visit with out staff, which we all enjoyed. He is a very special gentleman with a heart of gold, a caring soul and an inspiration to all that come in contact with him.
All of us at Equistrides will be following his on going trip and routing for him all the way."
Janice B. Reynolds, President
Equistrides Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
29th August, Hartford, CT
"On 29 August 2003, the two Connecticut Horse Guards joined together to provide an escort for Gene to our capitol in Hartford. Years of history evidenced in our presence there... the horse guard units representing hundreds of years of dedicated cavalry service to the state of CT, and Gene representing hundreds of years of equestrian travelers. A significant helping of history riding on horseback down the heavily trafficked streets of downtown Hartford, through traffic lights, under major highways laden with cars and past people rushing along to their destinations.
What was interesting to me was the reaction of those busy people, rushing to their destinations. Without exception, they all had to pause their busy schedules. They had to stop and watch Gene ride through their city and offer an encouraging wave or greeting. Maybe some had not seen horses riding down the road before. I want to believe though, that some of those people stopped to pay tribute to a man who was following his heart and fulfilling a commitment to a cause he had dedicated himself to. That they might have been saluting Gene for doing what they wish they could do.
What an energy charged feeling being part of this man's journey and riding up the lawn in front of our state's capitol. Hooah!!!
Major Janis Arena, Commandant,
2nd Company Governor's Horse Guard
"I rode with Gene to the State Capital in Hartford, CT on August 29th(as a member of the Second Company Governors Horse Guard), and I had the pleasure of hosting Gene from August 30th to September 2nd at our home in Bethlehem, CT. I can not tell you how much of a pleasure it was to have Gene at our house. He told me so many stories of his adventures.
The most amazing thing about his stay with us was the generosity of the people we met along the way. When going through Burlington, Linda at Agway donated grain, and gave Gene and his horses water and a place to eat lunch. Lunch was donated by the Village Food Mart, and Grandview Ranch in Harwinton put George and Frank up for two nights. When he left my home on Tuesday, he rode past Dr.Vargoshe's farm, and stopped in for health papers for the horses. The vet was on his way to Florida with horses and took the time to help Gene. After Gene had already paid him, he climbed in his truck to leave. We saw the truck stop, and Dr. Vargoshe got out and brought Gene back his money. The
vet's travel companions had told him what Gene was doing, and that it was for charity, and he refused payment. Dan at Dan's Frontier Store in Woodbury did an emergency repair to his saddle, free of charge, and then Gene was on his way to New York.
So many wonderful people helped Gene, just in the few days that we had him staying with us. It's great to know that there are still people out there like that. Many people asked me if I was his support crew. I told them that I had only met Gene the week before, but, yes, I was part of his support crew. So many people have been his support crew. I don't know about everyone else, but I feel that I got far more out of it than Gene did. I was lucky enough to have the time to spend with him and his horses before they continued on their journey. I miss him, and would love to know where he is now, and if he is nearing the Capital in Washington."
Corporal Carol Martinoli
Second Company Governor's Horse Guard
4th September, Danbury, Connecticut
"I was moved by your story (in the Danbury News Times) and wish you the best. Your determination, selflessness and faith in the basic goodness of others and God will be rewarding to many. God bless and keep you always."
Jill Newdick
(Jill sent a gift for the Philip Scholarship Fund - thank you very much for your generosity, Jill.)
