Long Rider -completes 20,000 mile journey. Several members of the  Horseman's Council rode with Long Rider Gene Glasscock  into Columbus on Thursday, December 1st and several more were there to greet him on the steps of the State Capital.  Gene is 71 years old  and has traveled to 48 state capitals on horseback retracing a similar journey completed by the Overland Westerners from 1912-1915. Gene  rode into Columbus, the 48th state capital completing his 20,000 mile trip.  Gene received recognition from several state officials and Rick Patterson, OHC president,  presented him with an Honorary Membership in OHC.   The Ohio Horseman's Council was instrumental in finding lodging for Gene and his horses as he made his way thru Ohio and  hosted a welcome reception for him at the State House upon his arrival.

OHC's involvement began with receipt of an announcement that Gene would arrive in Columbus on December 1st. A simple inquiry to confirm the time of his arrival turned into a call to action to find lodging for Gene and his horses and to assist in finding officials from the State of Ohio to recognize his efforts. With less than 24 hours notice, Jackie Romaker- NW Mentor, sprang into action and spent 5 hours on the road November 15th looking for Gene along his route. From there Jackie arranged host families for Gene for the next 5 days as he made his way south from Toledo towards Marysville.

As Gene moved out of the northwest, Jackie turned her charge over to OHC members in the Central region, who arranged for food and lodging until the end of Gene's trip.

Jim Strayton, graciously hosted Gene Glasscock in his home on Monday, November 21st.  OHC members gathered to welcome Gene to Central Ohio and help plan his route and lodging for the rest of his trip.

Madison County OHC hosted a dinner for Gene at the Der Dutchman in Plain City

        Gene makes his way down Morgan Rd. from Plain City to Susan Hunter's home.

Jeff Fultz accompanies Gene on the last leg of his trip on Friday, November 25th from Madison County into Columbus, Ohio - Its a cold ride with  temperatures in the 'teens 

   OHC Members from Fairfield, Hocking and Licking counties were able to enjoy an evening with Gene at the Rhodeway Inn in Lancaster, Ohio on Saturday, November 26th.  Gene stayed at an OHC member's residence in Lancaster Saturday evening and then attended church on Sunday before making a trip down to Logan to visit Neil Shaw.

  OHC member Mike Hathaway hosted Gene's all four Gene's horses (Buddy, Tosi, George, and Frank) several days and hauled them to the staging area just west of COSI in Columbus, Ohio on their "big day"

There are plenty of media in attendance - and a film crew from Horse TV          

         Thanks to the Columbus Mounted Police who joined the procession and escorted the group down Broad Street to the Capitol.

            Friends and acquaintances join Gene for the ride into Columbus over the Broad Street Bridge. Riders came from Michigan, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Maryland, and  Indiana along with OHC members Jack Weese, Herschel Prater, Linda Waites and 3 members from Fulton County.  Additional representatives from OHC  walked alongside.

Phyllis and Keith McDonald brought their carriage from Iowa to participate in the event.  OHC member Ron Waites was on hand to "hold the horses" so Phyllis and Keith could enjoy the ceremonial presentations and attend the reception at the Capital.

.           State Auditor Betty Montgomery was the first dignitary to commit to meet and recognize Gene upon his arrival.  OHC would like to thank Betty and her staff for their support and help in endorsing  this event.

Gene was joined at the state capital by several dignitaries, including Fred Dailey from the Department of Agriculture, Majority House Leader Larry Flowers, Grace Kearns from the Department of Aging and Jon Husted Speaker of the House of Representatives

            Governor Taft even made a surprise appearance    

And OHC President, Rick Patterson presented Mr. Glassock with an Honorary Membership in the Ohio Horseman's Council

Members of OHC joined Gene and his friends for at a farewell dinner hosted by the Westminster Thurber Retirement Communities

The purpose of Mr. Glasscock's journey was to raise money for the Phillips Fund. (a unique scholarship program at Pensacola Christian College).  The scholarship program allows underprivileged youth from Paraguay an opportunity to attend school at Pensacola Christian College in Florida if they agree to go back to Paraguay to help their own people. A secondary purpose for the trip was to send a message to elderly people, encouraging them to be active.

Now that his journey is finished, Gene intends to write a book, and then will be returning to Paraguay.  Updates and more information can be obtained at http://www.geneglasscock.org 

For information about other equestrian explorers that have ridden more than 1,000 continuous miles on a single expedition see - Long Riders Guild