Testimonials

In an equestrian world all too often awash with stories of commercialism, corruption and cruelty, the public yearns for a positive perspective and classic heroes. The Long Riders’ Guild is an equestrian honour society dedicated to protecting the horse from abuse, the public from being misled and the media from being deceived. The following testimonials have been collected over the course of many years. They cover a broad range of activities connected to the various activities of the Long Riders’ Guild, including exploration, ethics, spirituality, historical research, literature and social justice.

The Testimonials include one written by Captain Otto Schwarz (above). Though he began his equestrian career as a rider for the Swiss Olympic team, Otto discovered a love for equestrian travel while serving as a cavalryman during the Second World War. In the course of a life subsequently devoted to equestrian adventure, Otto rode nearly 50,000 kilometres on five continents; thereby making him the most travelled Long Rider of the 20th century. The Swiss cavalry saddle which he used was manufactured in 1916 and survived two world wars.

When notified of the creation of the Long Riders’ Guild, Captain Schwarz said, “Gibt es so upis? Wunderbar!" (Is there such an organisation? How wonderful!)

At the age of sixty-one Brazilian Long Rider Pedro Luiz Dias de Aguiar undertook an equestrian journey of 26,000 kilometres in South America. In recognition of his ride Pedro was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society at a special ceremony in London.
“On behalf of all Long Riders, I want to publicly congratulate the magnificent work done by CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly, who had the vision to develop a worldwide equestrian brotherhood of equestrian explorers.“

"First of all, let me say this: if I were able to meet the requirements necessary to be invited for membership into the Long Riders Guild, that would be an honor indeed. Aside from the work the Guild has done to nourish and further my own personal ambitions (equine and otherwise), I think the Guild’s approach to equestrianism and life is a force of goodness in the world. Read more.....

After riding in Mongolia, Dutch Long Rider Simone Johanna Aleida wrote the first in a series of articles which provides accurate advice about making an equestrian journey in a specific country.

The knowledge of the Long Riders Guild has been very essential while I prepared my horseback journey to Mongolia. I always felt very supported by CuChullaine O’Reilly, and could turn to him with all my questions and concerns.

CuChullaine brought me in contact with many people who already had extensive riding experience in Mongolia, and this was extremely valuable! Before setting off in the Netherlands I was able to establish the right connections.

Even during my journey I had help and advice from Long Riders in crucial moments and various different difficult situations. I feel very grateful for the existence of the Long Riders Guild, and hope to give meaningful advice to new riders in the future.

"I am aware of the terms for becoming a Member of the Guild, also that there are no prizes, buckles or rosettes. It is probably what I like the most of this whole community; it is not a contest! I want to seek more wisdom in life, on so many levels, and I think an equestrian journey is just the right setting for it."

"Basha O’Reilly was with the Scientific Exploration Society expedition to Mongolia in 1994 and proved herself to be a most competent horsewoman and a highly compatible member of the team." Read more....

South African Long Rider Billy Brenchley and his fiancée Christy Henchie undertook an equestrian journey the length of Africa, from the northernmost tip to the southernmost. Tragedy struck in Tanzania on 26 January 2013 when an impatient bus driver ploughed into a crowd of villagers gathered round the horsemen. Christy was killed instantly, and Billy and their horses were seriously injured.
"The Long Riders Guild has a wonderful ethos and when the pressure is on they do not falter. I am proud to be a Long Rider as was Christy!" Read more....

North American Long Rider Debra Bumpus-Brown rode through the American West. “I salute Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly, and all those who have made the LRG such an outstanding, completely unique, responsible, informative and honourable organization. I don't know what your dream was when you first ventured into the complexities of organizing the Guild, but I imagine neither of you had any idea how far this would go! I stand amazed and extremely appreciative of your countless hours and expense (mental, emotional, time, as well as monetary). You have given birth to something that will last through the generations.”

Italian Long Rider Valerio Ceconi rode solo across Patagonia and Argentina. He is the first person to have read The Horse Travel Handbook and to have then completed an equestrian expedition.
Being able to communicate with CuChullaine and other Long Riders over numerous emails and to check the Long Riders' Guild's website at any time gave me the key information and direction I needed for further research about specific topics for my own trip. I see travelling as a state of mind, not about getting away from things but going forward in ourselves. Connecting to nature through animals as travel companions is a way to realize how deeply dependent on nature we are. I like to think that this way of travelling could bring us to a greater sense of overall awareness and reconsidering our relationship with nature, with other people, and ultimately with ourselves. CuChullaine told me, 'When you're a Member of the Guild, you never ride alone.

New Caledonian Long Rider Eduard Chautard made the first modern ride through the jungles of New Caledonia and then rode the length of Australia’s Bicentennial National Trail.

“Basha and CuChullaine, you are holding both ends of a string that goes all around the world. Don't drop it or all will fall down.”

Neil Clarkson is the innovative New Zealand publisher who owns and operates Horsetalk, the world’s largest and most respected daily internet equine news website.

CuChullaine O'Reilly is an unsung hero of equestrian journalism. Horsetalk, the equestrian news website which I helped to establish 16 years ago, has been honoured to publish the results of CuChullaine's endeavours. Read more...

Australian Long Rider Tim Cope rode 10,000 kilometres solo from Mongolia to Hungary and was subsequently named "Australian Adventurer of the Year" for this exceptional endeavour. He is the author of “On the Trail of Genghis Khan.”

“In early 2004 as I began to plan for the journey I found the Long Riders Guild and began corresponding with CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly, two extraordinary adventurers themselves, and Founders of this unique association. From that day on, Basha and CuChullaine were with me every step of the way. Read more...

To help encourage equestrian literary accuracy the Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation commissioned the creation of the most precise and detailed Equestrian Writer’s Guide ever created. Leading the project was author Susan Craft.

"Imagine my delight when I discovered the Long Riders Guild website and began communicating with CuChullaine and Basha O’Reilly as I tried to “get it right” about horses in my American Revolutionary War novel, The Chamomile. And what an honor to be asked by the LRG Foundation to compile A Writer’s Guide to Horses, an effort to provide authors comprehensive information about horses to assist them to accurately portray horses in their works." Read more...

British Long Rider Jakki Cunningham has made several journeys from the Camargue to England, raising money for disabled and disadvantaged people in both England and France.

My very deep thanks to the LRG for their continued and ongoing support and for honouring The Caravan of Hope with the LRG flag which we so proudly carried on the last project in 2012. Long Riders speak the same language wherever they ride across the world. Read more....

“Basha never stops! She is quite extraordinary and inspires confidence wherever she goes! Read more...

Australian Long Rider Nic Cuthbert, and his wife, Donna, rode from Sagsay soum, Bayan-Ulgii aymag, Western Mongolia to Baganuur, Tov aymag, Eastern Mongolia.
Donna and I want to extend our gratitude and sincere thanks. It's a brilliant thing the Long Riders’ Guild has done. Our journey would simply not have been the same nor made easier without the Long Riders’ Guild being there for us. We cannot thank you enough.

Kelly Destrake is the owner of Custom Pack Rigging, a Canadian company which manufactures the revolutionary adjustable pack saddle.

"The Long Riders Guild's knowledge and understanding of the equestrian travel world far surpasses that of anyone else in the field! I think it’s safe to say that Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly are the reason the Long Riders Guild exists today." Read more...

British Long Rider Christina Dodwell has been described as the greatest living female explorer, has investigated much of the world on horseback, authored numerous books on exploration, made three television films and more than forty documentary programmes for BBC Radio 4, and was awarded the Mungo Park Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

"I take this opportunity to congratulate Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly for their integrity and hard work during the past many years." Read more...

"I am in awe of all of the extraordinary contributions found on the Long Rider's Guild website. I visit often for encouragement, advice, ideas and inspiration. My dream to ride cross-country has, over the course of half a century, become embedded in my being. I have a flame within my soul that will not be extinguished until I have experienced a journey on horseback."

North American Long Rider Bernice Ende has made seven journeys across various parts of Canada and the United States.

“Thank you both so very much for all that you do and have done in the name of Long Riding and the dedication to those of us so new to it, who chose this life of equestrian travel.”

“The Long Riders’ Guild embodies everything that I believe the world has lost touch with, and I was so happy to find people who felt the same way. Your website has been not only extremely helpful but also incredibly inspirational to our voyage. We are not doing this for fame or glory, but only to run against the grain of modern society, to reach back and hold on to values and traditions that have bonded all horse-people since the beginning of time.”

Canadian Long Rider and photographer Bonnie Folkins has made numerous journeys in Central Asia, documenting the lives of the Steppe nomads.

"In the field of equestrian long riding, the creation of and functioning of the Long Riders Guild by Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly is nothing short of a miracle. Drawing from a well of historical reference, their goal is very simple: to assist new Long Riders to travel in safety and, with the welfare of the horse being paramount, to conclude their journey out of harm's way. Read more...

“It seems to me that the Long Riders’ Guild Press holds a publishing vision which is like a great flame dramatizing the actions of equestrian adventures as well as penetrating the inner experience of the riders. The publishers, CuChullaine and Basha O’Reilly, not only empathize with and encourage the authors of these accounts, but they have lived their own long-ride episodes and have plans for even more daring rides. I believe this is why they immediately sensed the joy, excitement, and significance of rediscovering mounted archery and the importance of telling that story in the Equestrian Wisdom and History Series. Their dealings with me were direct, extremely respectful, clear, inspiring, and they were always easily available. And what a pleasant discovery that their measurement of worth is the inherent value of the story rather than the commercial potential. Long live the Long Riders’ Guild!”

French Long Rider Jean Louis Gouraud is a Founding Member of the Long Riders’ Guild who rode from Paris to Moscow. In addition to helping create the first feature-length Long Rider movie, he has published or written many equestrian travel accounts including Serko, Russie: des Chevaux, des Hommes et des Saints and Deux Chevaux pour un Cavalier.

“Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly know the difference between an adventure, a pony picnic and a real exploit. They can distinguish between a journey where the real hero is the horse and a stunt where the horse is only an accessory. Read more...

North American Long Rider Colleen Hamer made a journey in her native United States.

“I just have to say how honoured I am to have become a Member of the Long Riders Guild. Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly were so helpful to me as I trekked across Nebraska. They have worked hard for many years to make as much information available to people like myself, people who are interested in long riding. It has been a thankless job and their only payment was to see riders safely on their journeys. Read more...

John Hare is known for being the first foreigner to cross the Gashun Gobi Desert in China from north to south and to reach the ancient city of Lou Lan from the east. He crossed the Sahara Desert from Lake Chad to Tripoli. He is the first person to travel around Lake Turkana in northern Kenya using domestic dromedary camels. He has orchestrated an international campaign to save the wild Bactrian camel from extinction. He established the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve in China’s former nuclear test site. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers’ Club of America, John Hare was awarded the Ness Award by the Royal Geographical Society, the Lawrence of Arabia Gold Memorial Medal for exploration under extreme hazard by the Royal Society of Asian Affairs and the Mungo Park medal for distinguished contribution to exploration by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. John Hare is, in a word, a true explorer with a world vision.

CuChullaine and Basha are a most remarkable couple. With single-minded dedication they have established a huge network of horse-lovers, researched and catalogued a myriad of horse-related publications, thrown themselves into numerous equine causes, challenged the hypocrite and the faint-hearted at the highest levels, and yet have still found time to investigate and write about such esoteric subjects as flesh-eating horses.

CuChullaine has prodigious energy and is a valiant battler. Basha is his ideal partner - with a wise, clear-thinking head which is sometimes needed to curb the excesses of her knight in shining armour.

Were that there were more couples like CuChullaine and Basha to stand up for common-sense, patriotism and honesty in an age when all these qualities are fast fading in front of double-speak and political correctness. They provide not only a voice for the horse but an example to all of us who strive to uphold true values.

Using traditional "mountain man" equipment and black-powder firearms, North American Long Rider Hawk Hurst rode from Mexico to Canada.

British Long Rider Robin Hanbury-Tenison is a Founding Member of the Long Riders’ Guild. Considered the doyen of English explorers, and hailed by The Sunday Times of London as “the greatest explorer of the past twenty years,” Hanbury-Tenison made the first land crossing of South America at its widest point, led twenty-four expeditions, has authored a dozen books, including the Oxford Book of Exploration and was awarded the Patron’s Gold Medal by the Royal Geographical Society. He and his wife, Louella, made several remarkable equestrian journeys across France, along China’s Great Wall, through both islands of New Zealand and in the interior of Albania.

To my amazement and increasing admiration, the O’Reillys have compiled the greatest collection of equestrian travel titles ever and somehow, at the same time, without appearing to pause for breath, compiled an equally large and significant collection of classic travel books. Read more...

"I’ve been reading the Long Riders' Guild site for some time and absolutely love it. Long Riding has become one of the things on my bucket list to do before I die and the LRG has put together an invaluable resource for people like me. It’s so non-commercialized and refreshing. Thank you for the inspiration."

North American Long Rider Orion Kraus rode from Mexico to Costa Rica.
“When I heard back from the Long Riders’ Guild I was breathless. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. It was exactly what I was looking for. Not a crutch, but encouragement from someone who had done what I am doing….I want to thank you for providing a website like the Guild. It is an all-in-one package for people like me, and it has added fuel to an already roaring fire inside of me.”

Earlier this year the Guild reported how Geldy Kyarizov rode 4,300 kilometres from Ashgabat to Moscow to save the Akhal Teke breed. The dictatorship of Turkmenistan showed its gratitude by making it a crime for him to touch a horse.
While Turkmenistan punished the equestrian champion, others rallied to his defence. Various human rights organisations fought to free Geldy and his family from relentless persecution. The Long Riders’ Guild led an effort to instate Geldy as the first Turkmen Long Rider in the history of modern equestrian travel and the first Turkmen Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
After enduring thirteen years of political torment, Geldy and his family were freed thanks in part to a campaign waged by the Guild. Having escaped persecution, Geldy shared this Testimonial regarding the equestrian campaign which CuChullaine O’Reilly and the Guild carried out.
If Allah saved my life and the lives of my family and gave me freedom, it is because not only in action but also in thoughts I have never betrayed the ancient culture of my people. All my life I fought for the spiritual and material heritage of the ancient Parthians that the Turkmens received as a gift from their ancestors. I along with my friends managed to stop the slaughter of the Akhal-Teke horses at the time of the Soviet Union and as a minister Read more....

Austrian Long Rider Greta Lackner pioneered a route from Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and into Norway.
“At the entrance to the Long Riders’ Guild website it is explained that no shiny belt buckles, medals and other awards of this kind are to be expected when you become a member of this brotherhood. But in truth the Guild is offering much more! It is the chance to be included in a very special family of horse loving equestrian adventurers. These people make their dreams come true. What a great honor offer and gift! Thank you so much!”

"Thank you for having the fore-sight and wisdom to collect in one place all of the information that you have. It encouraged me to embark on the first of what I feel may be one of many horseback adventures."

Friend of the Guild, Pablo Lapasset of Argentina
A few days ago I read my seven-year- old son, Ignacio (left), the story of how nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther rode 1,000 kilometres across Australia in 1932. The night before, I myself had read the incredible story of the Cossack Long Rider, Alexandra Kudasheva, who rode alone across Siberia twice. I was shocked by her leadership as an active officer during the First World War. These two stories are just part of the knowledge that the Long Riders’ Guild offers to people like me, who share an interest in horses, history, nature, horseback travelling and all its common areas. Read more....

North American Long Rider Lucy Leaf rode from Bethel, Maine to Jordan, Montana, then continued with further journeys to Washington, down to California, across to Texas and on to West Virginia.

Today, no horse used for travel needs to suffer in the hands of inexperience. The Long Riders’ Guild dedicates itself to this aim. The information provided is well researched and unbiased since the Guild is not sponsor supported or in the business of selling products. Read more...

After being inspired by the legendary Swiss Long Rider, Aimé Tschiffely, Filipe Leite completed an historic journey from Toronto, Canada to his home in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
After a year and a half on the road, I now understand more than ever the importance of the Guild. I can't even begin to say how many times I have encountered a problem out here that I had already read about on the LRG website, or heard from one of the Long Riders who mentored me. Read more...

English Long Rider Cathleen Leonard rode from Durness, the most north-westerly town in Scotland, to Cornwall.
The Long Riders’ Guild inspired me and showed me that my dreams are possible. Read more…

North American Long Rider Linda Losey rode “ocean to ocean” across the United States.
“Basha and CuChullaine, your help during my life-changing journey was truly life-saving. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for founding The Long Riders’ Guild.”

British Long Rider Hugh MacDermott made a series of equestrian journeys in Argentina and Chile, during which time he crossed the Andes Mountains on several occasions, forded raging rivers and traversed severe desert landscape.
There isn’t much CuChullaine and Basha O’Reilly don’t know about long riding and a huge amount of their knowledge is on the brilliant Long Riders' Guild which they created. I was 21 when I set out on my own long ride. I didn't know much about anything and I knew nothing about equestrian travel. CuChullaine and the Guild’s website were invaluable and saved me and my horses a considerable amount of suffering. It is an honour to be a Member of the Guild and the worldwide network of Long Riders that Basha and CuChullaine have brought together.

Leon McCarron is a renowned international traveller who contacted the Guild in search of advice regarding an equestrian journey in Patagonia. Leon’s goal was to ride in the hoofprints of the famous Historical Long Rider Charles Darwin. Though he is known today as "the father of evolution," English biologist Charles Darwin was also an avid equestrian traveller. During the five years in which he made his scientific journey around the world, Darwin took every opportunity to explore the continents of South America, Australia and Africa on horseback. With the help of Argentine Long Rider José Argento, Leon completed the equestrian journey along the Santa Cruz River and is now preparing a documentary film. He shared the following Testimonial.
“When I began planning my first equestrian journey in Autumn 2014, I had no experience whatsoever of travelling with horses. Some friends suggested I contact the Long Riders Guild as a starting point, and I am eternally grateful that I did! CuChullaine O’Reilly listened patiently to my plans to ride across Argentina, and was hugely generous with his time and experience. He made insightful suggestions regarding the concept of my expedition and within a short amount of time he had connected me with a Long Rider in the region who subsequently agreed to join me on the journey and has become a very good friend. In short - my journey could not have happened without the assistance of the LRG and CuChullaine. It is a unique and wonderful organisation, and one that I consider myself lucky to have found.

Friend of the Guild Wayne P. McCrory is the co-author of a DNA study which revealed how the wild horses protected by the Xeni Gwet'in and Yunetesi'in Native Americans in the remote Brittany Triangle of British Columbia have a genetic link to Siberia’s Yakut horses.

Knowing the extensive network of First Nations horse trade and travels once horses arrived in British Columbia in about 1750, I was aware of the extremely long journeys throughout the grasslands which they made on horses.

It was delightful to learn that the Long Riders Guild Academic Foundation exists to celebrate horsemen world wide, both in the distant past and to this day and that it promotes all kinds of open discussion about horses and their history.

I very much appreciate the publicity the LRGAF has given our findings regarding Canadian and Yakut horse ancestry; and the follow-up information the Guild provided from their research on the predator-prey relationship between horses and wolves.

Hats off to the fine Guild and all of you Long Riders and the horses of the universe that bear you on your travels.

In 2005 French Long Rider Louis Meunier set off to make a dangerous ride across war-torn Afghanistan. The journey began in the northern town of Maimana, then cut across the seldom travelled centre of the country to the distant city of Herat. The journey ended when Louis almost died of a rare disease that attacked his liver. The story of his incredible journey can be viewed here. Since then Louis has gone on to become an award winning documentary film maker and has recently completed a brilliant book about his further adventures in Afghanistan. An interview about his travels and artistic work can be viewed here. Louis was kind enough to provide this Testimonial regarding the support he received from the Long Riders' Guild.
Long live Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly! Without their tremendous efforts, huge chunks of equestrian knowledge would sink into oblivion. They were the only ones to encourage me during my ride through Afghanistan. I am very grateful for their help and I am proud to be a Member of the Long Riders’ Guild.

American Long Rider Andi Mills made a Long Ride in the United States, including crossing the Mojave Desert.

From the very beginning, when I was first introduced to the Long Riders Guild and its Founders, CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly, I have been unbelievably impressed with the honesty and integrity of The Long Riders Guild and all that it represents. Read more...

Simon Mulholland is the British inventor of the Saddlechariot, the first modern all-terrain chariot and the iBex, a revolutionary pony-drawn wheeled vehicle which grants access to those in wheelchairs. He is also a tireless champion for social reform in the international equestrian world.
I have been building pony and horse drawn vehicles for 14 years and am very definitely on the outer fringe of the equestrian world. This is not by any choice of mine, but building SAFE pony friendly vehicles like the Saddlechariot has been winding up the establishment since the year 2000. I have known the Long Riders' Guild, and CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly since about 2004 and they have been interested, informed, useful, supportive, questioning and helpful for all those years. Read more...

Tim Mullan and Sam Southey rode from Arburd Sands in Tov Aimag to Khatgal in Khovsgol Aimag, Mongolia.
When we contacted The Long Rider's Guild, Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly put us through our paces, checking we had done our research, planning and that we understood the huge responsibilities involved. We were overjoyed to hear from people who appreciated the enormity of what we were about to do. Read more...

Brigadier-General Dr. Thomas G. Murnane DVM, DACVPM, USA (Ret'd) entered the army in 1949 and retired as chief of the US army veterinary corps. As a staff officer with the United States Army Medical Research Command he assisted in the military’s response to the Venezuelan equine encephalitis epizootic which occurred in South America and Central America and erupted in the US in 1971. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical History Society.

"A truly great epiphany in my life has been my recent association with Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly of the Long Riders' Guild Academic Foundation. .... I am delighted to be among the circle of friends of CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly, the progenitors and dedicated leaders of The Long Riders' Guild." Read more...

“Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much your organization means to me. I eat, sleep and dream of the Long Ride."

Scottish Long Rider Gordon Naysmith is the Founding Member of the Long Riders’ Guild who rode 20,000 kilometres from South Africa to Austria. Author of The Will to Win.

“It is the mission of The Long Riders’ Guild to reassure the public that they can trust the word of a Long Rider, as being a Member of The Guild is more than just a matter of miles. It is a question of honour, dignity and behaviour. Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly epitomize those values and are the embodiment of equestrian morality and literary achievement.”

British Long Rider Grant Nicolle travelled from John O'Groats to Lands End with his horse Marv in 2007. Grant was formerly in the Army and served as an Officer in the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

"The Long Riders' Guild is a unique organisation which is keeping alive the real importance of the almost forgotten skill of equestrian travel. CuChullaine and Basha continue to tirelessly promote collaborative knowledge in this specialist field. Read more...

Irish Long Rider Steve O’Connor rode from Spain to England. He then undertook the first modern equestrian journey to all four corners of Ireland. Author of “Dare to Dream.”

“Luckily I had made contact with Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly before I began preparing my journey around Ireland. Thanks to their immense knowledge, they were able to advise me on so many of the practical aspects of horse travel that are no longer widely known. CuChullaine, who took a special interest in my ride, also generously supplied me with portions of his research into Ireland’s equestrian past. Read more...

Scottish Long Rider George Patterson is a Founding Member of the Long Riders’ Guild who journeyed into remote Tibet at the conclusion of the Second World War. There he not only underwent a great spiritual awakening, George also became involved with the Tibetan resistance to the invading Chinese Communist army. In the winter of 1949 George made an extraordinary equestrian journey across the Himalayas to deliver a plea for help from Tibet to the outside world. It also earned him the undying enmity of the Chinese government, which placed a death sentence on Patterson which was never revoked. In recognition of how George battled for Tibet’s freedom for more than sixty years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama authorized the Light of Truth Award to be bestowed on Patterson. This honour is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the fight for human rights and democracy for the Tibetan people. Author of Journey with Loshay, Gods and Guerrillas, and Patterson of Tibet.

“It would be a mistake to believe The Long Riders’ Guild is simply an equestrian travel organization. Under the direction of Basha and CuChullaine O’Reilly the Guild has grown to be a renowned defender of equestrian ethics and a champion of social justice. Read more....

North American Long Rider and New York Times best-selling author, Douglas Preston.

The timeless equestrian traditions of exploration, discovery, and long-distance travel have been neglected except by a few hardy individuals who continue to make horseback journeys covering thousands and even ten thousands of miles. They accomplished these astounding journeys not for publicity or money, but for the pure love of horses and adventure. The Long Riders' Guild, founded by just such a group of long-distance riders, is the only organization dedicated to reviving and continuing this venerable tradition and its philosophy. Read more...

Sea G Rhydr - Rode "ocean to ocean" from California to Maine, following in the hoofprints of Historical Long Rider Messanie Wilkins.
As to this matter of the Glorious Guild of Equestrian Explorers which Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly have manifested. If ever I wanted to be a member of a group (and I never had before) here was such a group. Have you seen the photo of the gathering in London? Like heroes from another age - these were my rock stars! Thank you, Basha and CuChullaine, for two years of encouragement, advice, camaraderie, understanding, patience and psychic first aid. Most of all, thank you for envisioning and upholding the Long Riders' Guild. Read more...

Bjarke Rink is an equine philosopher and the Author of The Centaur Legacy; How Equine Speed and Human Intelligence Shaped the Course of History and The Rise of the Centaurs; The Origin of Horsemanship.
"The Long Riders’ Guild is the living memory of equestrian feats past, present and future. What determined men and women riding extraordinary horses achieve will be ever present to inspire future riders to new adventures in the 3rd dimensional world of horsemanship. Few institutions bring so many benefits to its Members and the wider public as The Long Rider’s Guild."

New Zealand Long Rider Ian D. Robinson made solo journeys in Tibet, Afghanistan and Mongolia.

The Long Riders Guild carries the torch for horseback explorers past, present and future. Without the efforts of CuChullaine and Basha O’Reilly the accounts of historic adventurers would be at risk of slipping into oblivion along with the knowledge they carried and shared. Like so many I am indebted to the Guild and immensely proud to be part of this ‘tribe’! Read more...

The Long Riders Guild provides an incredible international network of like minded riders from around the world. These riders are united by their love of the horse, the spirit of freedom and a borderless friendship. The generous support I received from the Guild, CuChullaine O'Reilly and Long Riders from Great Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany and Mongolia was beyond comparison and turned my journey in Mongolia into an unforgettable and intercultural experience.

Swiss Long Rider Captain Otto Schwarz is a Founding Member of the Long Riders’ Guild who rode a total of 48,000 kilometres on five continents. Author of "Reisen mit dem Pferd".

“The Knights Templar were formed in 1129. To emphasize the organization’s intense belief in brotherhood, their emblem depicted two knights travelling on one horse. It may seem archaic to think that concepts such as personal honour, which the Templars cherished, are still relevant in our modern world. Yet how like our forefathers we are. There are still mounted seekers among us and the Long Riders’ Guild represents a new generation of people who are searching for honour, not honours. Read more...

Tina Sjogren - Publisher of Explorer's Web "What better fate can one have than the privilege to inspire new generations. That's what Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly are doing."

A special thank you to the Long Riders Guild for their support and willingness to so graciously set aside their daily tasks, to help me turn my dream into reality! The Guild is a goldmine of vast information and, in my opinion, a vital necessity for anyone travelling by horseback, or wanting to learn anything about this way of life. Read more...

“I can't imagine my long ride happening without the Long Riders' Guild. Very close to the beginning of my ride preparations, which perhaps might better be called the beginning of my dreamings, I stumbled upon the LRG website and instantly buried myself within it spending hours reading and imagining; seeing other people's perspectives of what a long ride can be from both practical and philosophical angles. Read more...

Expeditions are often arduous and difficult, perhaps more so when the typical hierarchy of needs such as a warm place to sleep for the night, are superseded by thoughts for your horses well being. This is the Long Rider’s code. The journey, not for glory or recognition, but more as a sharing experience between two different species. To me, that’s the very essence of adventure.

Long Riders are a tough breed but never have I come across a group of people more willing to impart knowledge, often hard fought on the trail, than these quiet heroes.

The Long Riders’ Guild, which works behind the scenes for equestrian explorers the world over, continues to inspire pride and admiration in me, and everyone who is lucky enough to be a part of it.

Kindly recognised by The Long Riders Guild and with their huge wealth of knowledge and expertise in equine based exploration as a resource, I have put the plans in place for a three month Expedition across the Steppe.

Tough logistically and physically, the romantic notions of riding off into the sunset were something I was keen to avoid.

Thank you for the kind words about The Adventurers' Guild, it was a small attempt to rekindle the lost age of exploration. In no small part influenced by The Long Riders Guild.

I'm so glad Mendee could help. Yet further example of how The Guild works behind the scenes for Long Riders the world over. I've been singing your praises since I got back.

Once again The Guild continues to inspire pride and admiration in me, and everyone who is lucky enough to be a part of it.

"Having explored the entirety of the Guild website, I am so grateful for it as a resource of information and as a source of inspiration."

Long Riders Ingrid Verdaasdonk and Eva Hietkamp, a mother and daughter team of Long Riders, rode across Spain from Valencia to Saint Jean Pie de Port, France.

"When my daughter Eva (15 at the time) wanted to plan a trip with a horse, she contacted the Long Riders Guild for information. She had extensive mail contact with CuChullaine O’Reilly. Because of that she started her horse journey in Europe, instead of South America.

[When things went horribly wrong, Ingrid and Eva turned to the LRG for help.]

So I only can say: Thanks to the incredible help of CuChullaine O’Reilly, we got through this situation fine. Read more...

North American Long Rider DC Vision is the Founding Member of the Long Riders’ Guild who introduced the concept of "spiritual equestrianism" into the Guild.

When CuChullaine O’Reilly first discussed the idea of organizing The Long Riders’ Guild with me I expressed my indifference to joining. Why involve myself with the horse world again? Then I remembered how my 14,000 mile journey across America had totally transformed me. I had stepped down from my saddle a far different, far better person than the one which left. Read more...

Canadian Long Rider Stan Walchuk Jr. rode from Alberta, Canada, into Alaska alone via the Cordillera region of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. He is the author of "Cordillera!" and runs the Blue Creek Outfitting Clinic in British Columbia.

When CuChullaine O’Reilly contacted me many years ago regarding the Cordillera Expedition wilderness journey, the Long Rider's Guild was a new concept to me and I thought it a novelty at that time. With CuChullaine's enthusiastic explanations and obvious dedication I became a believer and through the years have grown to see what belief and dedication are to a great cause, and can bear witness to its benefits. Read more...

"The Long Riders' Guild retains what is genuine, ethical, wholesome, dedicated and uplifting in our world."

North American Long Rider Rocky Woolman made two journeys in the United States.

"The Long Riders Guild is an acknowledged world-wide ethical equine organization."

"Because of the efforts of CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly and the Long Riders' Guild, the incredible trove of the Guild's historical archives regarding the horse has been made available to an international audience via an unprecedented partnership between various media outlets here in the US and abroad. Horse Connection magazine is proud to be a part of this groundbreaking alliance in bringing the Guild's vitally important research to equestrian enthusiasts worldwide."

"The Guild website is filled will amazing information. Thank you, thank you for making this bountiful information available."

NOTE: If you are a Long Rider, Explorer, Author, Academic, or a Friend of the Guild who would like to contribute a testimonial, please please contact the webmaster.