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British couple enjoy America on horseback
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP)--A British couple, David and Anita Hasbury-Snogles, are taking a year to pursue a horse-riding adventure across America. They were inspired by a book, "Horse, Follow Closely," by GaWani Pony Boy. Anita said they want to get closer to their horses, improve interaction and understand them better. At the same time they are raising money for their favorite horse charities. "Plus we are at a crossroad in our lives. The children are all grown, and we wanted to make a difference," said Anita. "You only live once." She said they had tossed the idea around for a couple of weeks and then at the spur of the moment they decided to do it. "We started making preparations in December and came to the states in February," said Anita. The couple rented out their house in Britain, purchased a 41-foot horse trailer with living quarters, and two registered paint horses, Max and Roo, after arriving in the United States. "We bought the truck over eBay without ever even seeing it," Anita said. "We've taken some chances." Their quest is to travel to each state and ride trails in as many of them as they can. They are in their 23rd state and have traveled 18,000 miles thus far. "I had a well-defined plan in the beginning," said Anita, "but plans change, and we've lost track a little bit." Anita has been a horse lover since she was a little girl. David is a beginner and has encountered a few spills along the way. The Flying Bee Ranch, 20 miles southeast of Scottsbluff, is accommodating the couple for their stop in Nebraska. Flying Bee is a working cattle ranch with a campground and 4,000 acres of trails to ride in the Wildcat Hills. David said Flying Bee hosted friends from the cast and crew of "The Best of America by Horseback" TV show a few years ago. "After reading their description of the location, we felt it would be perfect for us," said David. "We rode to the top of the hills, and it's an amazing view." David writes a weekly column about their travels for a Virginia newspaper, which will in time become a book. The couple is also taping TV footage for a documentary for "Horse and Country TV" in the United Kingdom. David said if visitors ask about the nearest town here, they're told it's just down the road. "Down the road in England is 100 yards, and in the States it's many miles," he said, laughing. Date: 9/6/07
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