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The World Ride |
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Recommended Reading
Whether you’re sitting at home planning your own equestrian expedition, or in search of answers to ancient equestrian riddles, the following titles and stories will provide a treasure trove of equine excitement and academic excellence.
Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly Count Pompeii – Stallion of the Steppes by Basha O’Reilly. Written by one of the foremost female equestrian explorers alive today, this children’s book tells how Basha O'Reilly rode Count Pompeii, the Cossack stallion, more than 2,500 miles from Russia to England.
Khyber Knights by CuChullaine O’Reilly. The astonishing story of the journalist, turned equestrian explorer, who set off to explore Pakistan. Yet the adventure he sought demanded a high price. His horse died and was eaten by eager natives. He was kidnapped, tortured, imprisoned in Pakistan’s most infamous prison, and met murderers, bandits, whores, and princes. Despite these setbacks, O’Reilly never lost hope that he would complete his mounted exploration of the remote and dangerous heart of Asia.
The Long Riders by CuChullaine O’Reilly. Within the covers of this anthology rest the accounts of a rare breed of men and women. Here are the stories of the dare-devils who rode hell-bent for leather, as well as the mounted mystics seeking inner enlightenment via that altar of travel, the saddle. The forgotten ones, whose stirring stories deserve to be told again, and the famous ones, whose tales of equestrian exploration have been recounted over a thousand campfires, are gathered here in this illustrated first volume of an amazing new series dedicated to preserving and sharing the mounted adventures of the world’s most important Long Riders.
Equestrian Diplomacy At Freedom’s Door by Malcolm Darling. Countless books are written, yet few weather the passing of time save those which contain an enduring message. This is one such rare example in that it describes the timeless equestrian journey of a wise man in search of racial and religious harmony. In the winter of 1946-47, with the British set to partition the subcontinent into the separate nations of India and Pakistan, the author set off on a dramatic 1,400 mile ride to interview the people about to undergo this traumatic political upheaval. The result of Darling’s journey is the marvellous book which reassures us that all mankind comes from the same light and some journeys will never be forgotten.
Equestrian Diplomacy - Free Stories Horsemen are Brothers by Edward Tinker Though he was a wealthy, sophisticated author and philanthropist, Edward Tinker was also a passionate horseman. In 1954 he delivered a moving speech before an international academic audience wherein he explained that despite the difference in their country of origin, he believed in the concept of an international equestrian brotherhood.
Horses and the World of Islam by CuChullaine O’Reilly. Written two days after the tragedy of 9-11, this moving account explains how horses, and one of the world’s most misunderstood religions, have both been exploited by the forces of intolerance, bigotry, hate and nationalism.
Equestrian Equator
The Horse, the Wheel and Language by David W. Anthony. Subtitled How Bronze Age Riders from the Eurasian Steppes shaped the modern world, this extraordinary book was written by a professor of anthropology who pioneered research into determining when humans first rode and what implications this event had on global history and species development. Anthony’s magnus opus weaves horses, migration, language and customs into the most important work of its kind.
Genghis Khan by Jack Weatherford. The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in twenty-five years than the Romans did in four hundred. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization. Vastly more progressive than his European or Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished torture, granted universal religious freedom, and smashed feudal systems of aristocratic privilege.
Russia and Asia: Nomadic and Oriental Traditions in Russian History, by Edgar Knobloch. Edgar Knobloch takes a completely new and unconventional scholarly approach to the history of Russia. He charts the influence and traditions of the Eastern civilisations in Russian history. This new treatment, which takes into full account the effect of Persian, Turkish, Byzantine and nomadic influences - rather than just the European - enables the author to elucidate and explain many controversial events and to draft a continuous line of development from the earliest past right down to our own times. It is a breathtaking book, heartily recommended for anyone who wants better to understand the Russian psyche and history.
Kazakhstan, by Dagmar Schreiber. A country larger than Western Europe, Kazakhstan's vast expanse encompasses the Great Steppe, across which Genghis Khan's Mongol hordes galloped; the heights of the Tien Shan in the south, through whose foothills Silk Road travellers journeyed; the exquisite lakes and valleys of the mystical Altai mountains in the north east, and in the far west the archaeologically rich desert coast of the Caspian Sea. Now this land of rich history, inspirational landscapes and welcoming people shares its wonders with a curious world. A fascinating read, and an essential one for anyone planning to visit this country.
In Search of Nomads by John Ure. In addition to serving as British ambassador, Sir John Ure also had time to become a Long Rider and write a number of influential books, one of which is this fascinating study of nomadic people. In addition to documenting many of the world’s most colourful nomads, the author also investigates the eccentric Britons and Americans who chose to seek out and travel with them. A study in wanderlust, history and travel, this book is eminently enjoyable and erudite.
Though he is best known as a member of Monty Python, he has also written several notable history books, of which Barbarians is a original and fascinating study. The book documents how Roman propaganda unjustly denigrated the impressive cultural, social and technological achievements of the Celts, Huns and other tribal people. Far from civilizing the societies they conquered, Jones proves that the Romans destroyed them.
The Tarim Mummies by J.P. Mallory and Victor Mair. A fascinating study of the Caucasoid mummies, many of whom were dressed in recognizable riding clothes, which were discovered in the Taklamakan Desert of western China.
Equine DNA Research International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds by Bonnie Hendricks. Thanks to the help of the author, the World Ride relies on this exhaustive listing of all of the world’s known breeds. With every breed arranged in alphabetical order, this encyclopaedic work serves as the scientific road map used by Basha O’Reilly in her global search to obtain DNA samples from every known horse breed.
Fossil Horses by Bruce J. MacFadden. Considered the definitive work on the subject of equine evolution, Professor MacFadden's research has overthrown the preconceived notion that the horse was once as small as a dog but progressively grew to its present stature.
Horses through Time by Sandra Olsen. A comprehensive investigation into the horse, with essays by experts on a wide variety of fields, including material related to the domestication of the equine.
Genetic Relationships of Seven Horse Breeds in South Africa based on DNA markers by Karen Botha.
Applied Molecular Genetics in Domestic Animals with particular focus on the Horse by Stefan Marklund.
The Genetics of the Horse by Anatoly Ruvinsky.
Dictionary of DNA and Genome Techniques by Paul Singleton.
Equestrian Travel Books Horse Travel Books, home of the Long Riders Literary Collection, is the greatest gathering of equestrian travel knowledge in human history. The Long Riders Literary project contains the accumulated knowledge of a million miles in the saddle and decades spent sleeping under the stars.
Equestrian Wisdom Books
The Long Riders’ Guild’s new Equestrian Wisdom and History Collection is designed to re-publish the most important equestrian books previously written, as well as publishing indispensable new works by the world’s leading equine academics, equine investigative journalists and riders. There are approximately one hundred titles scheduled for production and the books will be available in a host of languages.
Horses by Roger Pocock. A lifelong student of equine behaviour, Pocock set out to document the wisdom of his age into a book unique for its time. The result is a true “lost masterpiece” of equestrian study, penned by one of the most unique men ever to mount a horse or lift a pen.
The Centaur Legacy by Bjarke Rink. This immensely entertaining and historically important book provides an in-depth study into how man’s partnership with his equine companion changed the course of history and accelerated human development. The author’s pioneering research blends the ancient art of horsemanship with cutting-edge 21st century scientific thought, taking the reader on a galloping tale stretching from the ancient Central Asian birthplace of horsemanship to the laboratories which are helping to fuel the great equestrian renaissance which is occurring around the world today.
Horseman’s Progress by Vladimir Littauer. This book presents the story of educated riding since its inception four centuries ago. Vladimir Littauer relates in a most entertaining way how dressage was improved; how forward riding was developed by an Italian cavalry officer and how the new natural method for field riding and jumping swept dressage into the background. It is a gold mine of accurate, intelligent, and authoritative instruction – much more than mere history.
Long Riders’ Guild Press Publishing Code of Ethics Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly believe that publishing great books is a responsibility which brings with it obligations. While they acknowledge the possible financial rewards involved in creating the various Long Riders’ Guild Press collections, they deem that publishing the wisdom of the world brings with it the need to acknowledge the interests of the authors and their readers. Hence this statement regarding the methods under which the Equestrian Travel Classics, the Equestrian Wisdom and History Series, and the Classic Travel Books collection are created and run.
Books and Free Stories relevant to the Route of the World Ride
France Books Travels with a Donkey by Robert Louis Stevenson. In 1878, famed author Robert Louis Stevenson set out to explore the remote Cevennes mountains of France
White Horses over France by Robin and Louella Hanbury Tenison. Tells the story of a magical journey – and how, in fulfilment of a personal dream, the first Camargue horses set foot on British soil in the late summer of 1984.
Free Story Paris to Moscow on Horseback by Jean-Louis Gouraud. This “Story from the Road,” explains how, after five years of patient diplomatic effort, this renowned French Long Rider was finally given permission to ride into the still formidable Soviet Union.
Hungary Book They Rode into Europe by Miklós Jankovich. A remarkable book describing how the mounted tribes of Central Asia influenced European history and events.
Russia Books Through Russia on a Mustang by Thomas Stevens. Mounted on his faithful horse, Texas, Stevens crossed the Steppes in search of adventure. Cantering across the pages of this classic tale is a cast of nineteenth century Russian misfits, peasants, aristocrats—and even famed Cossack Long Rider Dmitri Peshkov.
Till Häst genom Ryssland - Valdemar Langlet. Denna reseskildring rymmer många ögonblicksbilder av möten med människor, från morgonbad med Lev Tolstoi till samtal med Tartarer och fotografering av fagra skördeflickor. Rikt illustrerad med foto och teckningar.
Free Stories The Fantastic Exploit of Lieutenant Asseyev by Jean-Louis Gouraud. This remarkable “Story from the Road,” relates how the Cossack cavalry officer, Mikhail Asseyev, rode across Russia to the newly-erected Eiffel Tower in Paris, France in 1889.
My Kingdom for a Horse by Basha O’Reilly It seemed like a perfectly natural thing to do. Go to Russia, befriend the Cossacks, buy three wild horses, and then ride them more than 2,500 miles back to England. Of course no one had actually been allowed to ride out of the Soviet Union during the 20th century ! But none of those minor obstacles mattered to Basha O'Reilly. This “Story from the Road” explains how the Swiss Long Rider discovered Count Pompeii, the wild Cossack stallion who went on to become the "poster horse" of The Long Riders' Guild
Central Asia Books A Ride to Khiva by Fred Burnaby. A legendary English Long Rider, Burnaby fills every page with a memorable cast of characters, including hard-riding Cossacks, nomadic Tartars, vodka-guzzling sleigh-drivers and a legion of peasant ruffians.
The Road to the Grey Pamir by Anna Louise Strong. This is the remarkable story of how an American exile accompanied a group of Soviet geologists as they rode into the seldom-seen Pamir mountains of faraway Tadjikistan. Mounted on her horse, American Girl, the political renegade turned equestrian explorer soon discovered more adventure than she anticipated.
Turkestan Solo by Ella Maillart. The author was an adventurous Swiss woman who made her name as an intrepid explorer and one of the most remarkable woman travellers of the early twentieth century. Yet her solo journey through Central Asia in the early 1930s was considered to be a highlight of her adventure-filled life. Setting off from the Tien Shan mountains of Mongolia, Maillart rode horses and camels to the faraway walls of fabled Bokhara.
Free Story Nightmare on the Bridge by Tim Cope. During his historic 6,000 mile solo ride from Mongolia to Hungary, Australian Long Rider Tim Cope faced a number of hair-raising adventures, as this “Story from the Road” demonstrates.
Siberia Books From Paris to New York by Land by Harry de Windt. The most dashing of 19th century Long Riders, the author dined with political exiles in Siberia, almost starved in the Arctic ice fields, and lived through more dangers than a dozen men.
Riding through Siberia by Kate Marsden. This immensely readable book is a mixture of adventure, extreme hardship and compassion as the author travels the Great Siberian Post Road in 1891.
Beyond Siberia by Christina Dodwell. Hailed as the greatest living English female explorer, the intrepid author was one of the first to explore Kamchatka, where she herded reindeer with indigenous people, met vulcanologists studying the geyser region, and tracked bears on a preserve usually forbidden to outsiders.
Free Story The Yakuts, a Legendary Horse People by Mikael Strandberg. Swedish Long Rider Mikael Strandberg set out to travel across Siberia during the winter of 2004-2005. In this amazing “Story from the Road,” he describes how he encountered minus sixty degree weather, in the midst of which was the “forgotten” equestrian horse culture of the mounted Yakut tribesmen!
Canada Books Following the Frontier by Roger Pocock. Pocock was one of the nineteenth century's most influential equestrian travellers. Within the covers of this book is the detailed account of Pocock’s horse ride along the infamous Outlaw Trail, a 3,000 mile solo journey that took the adventurer from Fort MacLeod, Canada to Mexico City.
Saddlebags for Suitcases by Mary Bosanquet. In 1939 Bosanquet set out to ride from Vancouver, Canada, to New York. Along the way she was wooed by love-struck cowboys, chased by a grizzly bear and even suspected of being a Nazi spy, scouting out Canada in preparation for a German invasion.
Free Story Butch Cassidy and the Long Riders by CuChullaine O’Reilly. Though Hollywood made the American outlaw famous, this “Story from the Road” explains that what has been lost is the fact that Cassidy was responsible for helping create the world’s only equestrian “underground railroad.” This lost highway for mounted men ran from Canada to Mexico, and the Canadian Long Rider, Roger Pocock, was the only person in history ever to ride the length of this infamous outlaw trail.
England Books Eye on the Hill by Richard Barnes. There are a host of exciting tales involving equestrian explorers surviving outrageous events. But there’s only one “Eye on the Hill.” While you won’t find any blazing adventures within these covers, what you will discover is one of the most captivating books in modern equestrian literature. It is poetry, set to the sound of a horse’s gentle clip-clop. It is a tale of the gradual uncovering of the secrets of back country Britain. It is a sweeping away of pedestrian restraint. It is magical music sung to the tune of the lark singing and the saddle creaking on a warm summer’s day.
Bridle Paths by Aimé Tschiffely. What does the world’s most famous equestrian explorer do when he comes home to England after making a 10,000 mile ride from Argentina to Washington, DC? He writes a best-selling book about his adventures, “Tschiffely’s Ride”, then sets off on a new horse to explore rural 1930s Britain. Mounted on his gentle Cob mare, Violet, Tschiffely details the last roving adventure of its kind. “Bridle Paths” is a final poetic look at a now-vanished Britain, as it was before the advent of suburbia changed it forever.
Ride a White Horse by William Holt. Equestrian stories are full of adventures, adversities, dangers and drama. Yet the curious story of William Holt and his cart horse, Trigger, is one of the most inspiring equestrian travel tales ever told. After rescuing the gelding from slaughter, and then nursing him back to health, the 67-year-old Holt and his horse set out from England in 1964 on an incredible 9,000 mile, non-stop journey through western Europe.
Free Story And Did those Feet by Vyv Wood-Gee. The light-hearted “Story from the Road” of a Scottish mother and daughter team of Long Riders who rode their Fell ponies from John O’Groats to Lands End in the hoof-prints of past generations. Read the Books, Mount your Horse, Explore the World!
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