Gene Glasscock

November 2003 - Michael F. Easley, Governor of North Carolina, wrote to say, "You are to be commended to having embarked on a 20,000-plus mile, three-year journey that will take you to 48 state capitals. As a member of The Long Riders' Guild, you have a compassion for horses and a quest for exploration."

The photographs below were sent to us by Donna Campbell Smith, of Wake Forest, North Carolina. She and her friends had the unusual experience of spending an evening with two Long Riders! Cowboy Jim Gregory rode from California to New York back in the 1950s. Click here for information about his delightful book, Wandering Minstrel.

Gene, George and Frank in the pouring rain

"Having Gene, Frank and George stay the night at my place in Wake Forest, NC on November 7th I can only describe as an enriching experience. I invited my boarders and students over to meet Gene. We built a fire and roasted hot dogs. Cowboy Jim Gregory, another Long Rider who wanted to meet Gene, entertained us with songs and guitar playing. Thank you for providing this website so we can monitor Gene's trip. And thank you, Gene, for sharing this adventure with us all," Donna wrote to The Guild.

Gene and Long Rider Cowboy Jim Gregory

Susan Stallings of Apex, North Carolina, very kindly hosted Gene as he passed through her area. Susan sent us several photographs, including the one of the left which she had captioned, "At the close of a day - luggage and briefcase in hand!" Sally went on to write, "He was such an interesting man with an interesting story (to say the least) and he had horses! It was a pleasure and an honor to host them for such a brief time. Good luck, longevity and safety to those associated with The Long Riders' Guild."

Thank you very much Susan, for your hospitality and for sharing this photograph with us all.

7 November, Wake Forest, North Carolina
"Having Gene, Frank and George stay the night at my place in Wake Forest, NC on Nov 7th I can only describe as an enriching experience. I invited my boarders and students over to meet Gene. We built a fire and roasted hot dogs. Cowboy Jim Gregory, another Long Rider who wanted to meet Gene, entertained us with songs and guitar playing. Thank you for providing this website so we can monitor Gene's trip. And thank you, Gene, for sharing this adventure with us all."

Donna Campbell Smith

13 November, Raleigh, North Carolina
"Saw Gene outside of Raleigh, N.C. Thursday Nov. 13th. He was hitching up his horses to a fence near a country store where my work companions were getting lunch. I said hello to him and ask about where he was riding to. To my amazement, he told me of being from Denver, Col. and handed me his card, as I was in a hurry to get back to the truck and head back to work. Getting home, I checked the web site and have been educating myself with the Long Riders.
Wow, Gene is into a long one for sure. I am glad I got to meet him, but sorry I didn't get to talk to him. Have a safe journey, Gene; wherever you are."

C P Cline

19 November
"I am on the Trails Committee for the NC Horse Council. Sally Aungier gave us a heads-up about Gene coming to our state. Sally and I know each other through SETC, Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference.
With other committee members Barb Oslund and Leslie Kennedy, The Hite family in Henderson (he is a farrier), and other folks south of Raleigh, people pitched in and I think we showed Gene some good Tarheel hospitality. Mike Yoder, with the REINS program, a statewide program here for developing equine advocates across the state, did a wonderful job helping with arrangements. Many thanks to him and any people whose names I didn't have.
It was great to meet Gene, "the boys", and hear his stories from the road. It has really made me think about how long this country depended on the horse and mule and how quickly many people forgot that. I have also enjoyed the web site and learning about other long riders.
Happy trails, Gene-----we will be checking on your progress."

Clare Reece-Glore