Gene Glasscock, Long Rider

Two Mustangs Chosen for Gene's Latest Long Ride String.

Gene will ride the Long Rider's Triple Crown - Solo.

  • Cascade / Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico.
  • Continental Divide from Mexico to Canada.
  • Appalachian Trail from Canada to Florida.
Gene and Buddy in Nevada on his 48 state capitol ride, 2005.

  A History of Extraordinary Rides

Gene Glasscock doesn't usually take ordinary rides. He likes to take rides that nobody has taken before.

As an accomplished long rider, at age 55 Gene rode solo from the Arctic Circle to the Equator. At Age 71 Gene completed his solo journey to visit all lower 48 state capitals on horseback. Now he plans to travel the country from north to south in three back to back crossings, again solo. A retired iron worker, Gene rides to raise money for his charity, the Phillip's Scholarship Fund.

Having the right horses is important to Gene. For his 48 state capitol ride he included two mustangs in his string, Buddy and Tosi. Gene likes them for their basic intelligence and durability. For this trip two "new" mustangs have made the string, King and Poker.

This feature starts with the background of these horses and the preparations for the ride. As the ride progresses we will include periodic reports and photos as Gene progresses.

  King

King waiting for his TV interview.
King is a Virginia Range mustang captured as a ten year old stud in Moundhouse, NV in 2003. Least Resistance Training Concepts (LRTC) was the adoption organization that handled this placement. King was gentled and saddle trained by his original adopter, James Wetzel, of Patterson, CA. James used King quite a bit on trails and this battle scarred old former stud (now gelded) takes everything in stride.

King is one of many examples of very successful training of horses that were older when gathered off the range.

A photo album of James and King when King was just starting in halter can be viewed here.

  Poker

Poker visiting with Lacy J. Dalton.
Poker is a BLM mustang captured as a weanling in the Jackies Butte HMA in southeastern Oregon in 2000. He was named Oregon Poker Player by Donna Van Schaik of Bethel Island, CA, since the horse was first gentled and haltered as a wild thing in a poker game at the LRTC Wild Horse Workshop 2001 in Corvallis. Poker doesn't have much experience but he is sturdily built and one of the most natively curious horses we've ever handled.

Although Poker hasn't had any formal saddle training, Gene is confident that because of his curiosity and intelligence he will be ready for the ride and will do well.

Photos of Poker at the poker game can be seen here.

Continue to Part Two

View more photos of Gene in Nevada.

See Gene's "mounted view" of the United States.

Visit the BLM story on Gene's visit to Nevada.

Visit Gene's Website.

Return to Part One

Return to Workshop Page