English horseback riders complete journey through American West

It sure was one long ride. A pack of English horseback riders who trained in Frisco have concluded a six-month journey through the American West. Their trek: The group left in April from Fort Belknap, a couple of hours west of Dallas-Fort Worth, and headed through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. The riders ended their journey a few weeks ago in Montana, near the Battle of Little Bighorn. "The scenery in Montana was stunning and worth waiting for," James Locke, the expedition leader, said in an e-mail. Challenging journey: Along the way, a few riders suffered heatstroke. In New Mexico, hail and sheets of rain pounded the riders and horses, but a rancher rescued them. In northern Colorado, swarms of grasshoppers surrounded the riders, hopping into their food and drinks. And then there was an encounter with a mother bear and her two cubs. The bears walked toward the riders but eventually moved into the bushes. Honoring two pioneers: Locke and company – they called their trek the Long Ride – followed in the footsteps of two Western pioneers, Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving...more