Month: September 2017

From Riding Breeches to Harvard: Stories of the First Female Harvard Chan School Graduate

The Bertram Inn

Boston’s streets were clean, quiet, filled with people bicycling and walking. Large broad-leaf trees shaded and cast lovely evening shadows that encouraged late night strolling. I can not thank Heather Mumford enough for not only inviting me to speak at Harvard but also for her work as an archivist and highlighting my great Aunt Linda’s life.

Letter from the Long Riders Guild

Dear Heather,

Andra is correct. We would request that someone provide info and images after Bernice has concluded her speech at your facility, whereupon we shall publish a summary on the LRG News page.
http://www.thelongridersguild.com/news.htm

Meanwhile, I believe it may help those at Harvard to understand the equestrian side of this unique story and situation.

With Members in forty-six countries, every major equestrian explorer alive today belongs to the Guild, including Hadji Shamsuddin of Afghanistan, who recently rode a thousand miles through that war-zone, Jean-Louis Gouraud of France, who rode 3,000 miles from Paris to Moscow, Tim Cope of Australia, who rode 6,000 miles from Mongolia to Hungary, Claudia Gottet of Switzerland, who rode 8,000 miles from Arabia to the Alps, Adnan Azzam of Syria, who rode 10,000 miles from Madrid to Mecca, and
Vladimir Fissenko of Russia, who rode 19,000 miles from Patagonia to Alaska.

Though we are used to dealing with remarkable individuals at the Guild, Bernice achieved a special place in Long Rider history. Bernice Ende’s singular journey into equestrian travel history began in 2005 when she rode from her home to New Mexico. In the subsequent years she made numerous other trips across the United States and Canada, which resulted in her riding more than 25,000 miles.

Yet equestrian travel is not a competitive event. Counting miles is akin to watching the odometer spin endlessly on an automobile’s dashboard. What set Bernice apart was that she carried a message of historical significance, one that had been passed down by female champions from the past.

In 2016 Bernice became the first person to attempt to ride “ocean to ocean” across the United States in both directions on the same journey.
Not only was this journey of geographic importance, Bernice used the opportunity to inform the public about the vital role played in society and politics by suffragettes and “lady Long Riders” such as herself.
Because this journey was deemed to be so unique, Bernice is among the few equestrian explorers to have carried the Guild flag on an international expedition.

http://www.thelongridersguild.com/flag.htm

Soon after the journey began, the story jumped the Atlantic and was shared in Randonee a Cheval, France’s premier equestrian magazine.

http://www.thelongridersguild.com/stories/images/RAC60%20044-049%20Plein%20cadre1.jpg

Bernice reached the Atlantic Ocean at the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge in Maine on October 8, 2015. She reached the Pacific Ocean at Bay View State Park in Washington on June 17, 2016. The 8,000 mile journey, which began in Montana in 2014, took more than two years to complete.

This resulted in Bernice’s journey being listed in the Guild’s Hall of Records.
http://www.thelongridersguild.com/Records.htm

Thus, the inspirational example set by Linda James Benitt has spread beyond Harvard and is now urging others to follow their dreams – like Bernice did. And that is a concept which is not restricted to one age, campus or country.

In closing, we look forward to receiving news and images of this celebratory event.

Kind regards,
CuChullaine

Both the moon and the sun are red balls rising and setting through thick forest-fire smoke, choking out sunshine and stars to wish upon. Breathlessly still long days, waiting, we all seem too be waiting.

The small Amish community of West Kootenai has lost 11 homes. Glacier National Park has lost a historic chalet. The town of Seeley Lake, has been on evacuation notice for weeks, the air hazardous. I spoke with a woman in Plains, Montana south of here whose home, yard, and barn were surrounded by fire. The Gilbraltor fire east of Eureka although no threat to humans continues burning on an eastward trek. For more info look at mt.gov/fire.aspx

The air is thick with smoke, making it difficult to breath or work out of doors–how do the brave firefighters do it? Every one of us in Montana are deeply grateful for the momentous effort they are making to save lives, homes, and forests. (And if they aren’t I will punch them.)

Besides the 600 miles Liska Pearl, Montana Spirit, and I traveled earlier this Spring, it is impossible to even think of riding out in any direction. I’ve used the time for work around the cabin, repairing my large pole barn with new support beams, fixing fences, and finishing up last minute details on the book before FarCountry Press takes it. Carol Guthrie from Huson, Montana guides me along with the expertise of having published 8 books.

Leaving the cabin and hauling to Helena next week has me a bit nervous, but must be done. The Harvard talk on the 20th of September seems like a great adventure. I am honored and thrilled to share my Aunt Linda’s early life with them. While I’m in Boston the horses will be stabled with Karen and Steve Davidson southeast of Helena–friends I met on my way home in 2011 with safe corrals for each girl!

Montana Spirit and I have been together 8 years and have never been apart for one whole day. Goodness, how will I manage? She’ll do fine, it’s me that will miss her. I like to think she’ll miss me, I’ll entertain myself with the thought she will.

Pray for snow!