Diamond - Socks

The US$5,000 donation is named after the horse which nearly made it to the South Pole!

Though the name of Sir Ernest Shackleton is remembered because of his valiant attempt to reach the South Pole, few recall the ten Manchurian and Siberian equines who accompanied him to Antarctica. These hardy horses not only survived an entire winter in Antarctica, they then set out to assist the British explorers reach their distant geographical goal. One by one the horses succumbed to unforeseen hazards, until it was left to Socks to pull the sledge carrying Shackleton’s supplies. Though the gallant Socks lost his life by falling into a crevasse, he helped the explorers reach the furthest southern point on the Antarctic continent. Thus it is Socks who leads the list.

Emerald - Pinto

The US$1,000 donation is named after Pinto, the horse who made the longest journey in the twentieth century.

In 1912, four North American Long Riders embarked on a 20,000 mile cross-country trip they hoped would bring them fortune and fame. It was called the ride of the century, a 20,000-mile, 3-year odyssey through desert, mountain, and swamp that they dreamed would make them famous. Instead, they rode into oblivion. Pinto was the only mount used during the journey who managed to complete the entire gruelling trip. Though he started the trip as the pack horse, the tough little 15 hand, 900 pound Morab became the road horse of the expedition leader, George Beck. Sadly, after having travelled together to all 48 state capitals, the incredible story of Pinto and Beck was forgotten by generations of riders and readers. Thus Pinto, who carried his friend George Beck on the longest ride of the 20th century - 20,352 miles to all 48 state capitals - is the next in our list of equine heroes.

Ruby - Mancha and Gato

The US$500 donation is named after the two most famous travelling horses of the twentieth century, Tschiffely's Criollo geldings Mancha and Gato.

Though their journey was shorter than Pinto's, no one doubts that Mancha and Gato, the Criollo geldings who carried Aimé Tschiffely from Buenos Aires to Washington, are the most renowned road horses of the last century. Without these two extraordinarily resilient horses, the Swiss Long Rider would never have completed his journey. Mancha, (The Spotted One), was a red and white piebald, 16 years old when they started. His companion, Gato, (The Cat), was a 15-year-old dun. The two animals had recently been brought down from the wilds of the Argentine pampas to a local estancia after a road march of more than 1,000 miles.  Neither horse had ever seen a city, houses, automobiles or a stable. They ignored the luscious alfalfa and oats put before them, instead devouring with relish the straw put down for bedding. Though these wild equines were not physically attractive, nevertheless a firm trust quickly developed between Tschiffely and his half-wild horses. Upon the completion of their famous journey, the government of Argentina enshrined the journey by instituting a national “Day of the Horse” in honour of the two Criollos.

Sapphire - Serko

The US$100 donation is named after the horse who carried his rider across the whole of Siberia - in winter!

What Serko proved was that big hearts come in small bodies.  In 1889 Cossack Lieutenant Dmitri Peshkov made equestrian history when he rode 5,500 miles from Siberia to the Czar's palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Russian Long Rider made this amazing winter-time ride on a small, tough gelding who was covered in thick hair capable of keeping the Siberian cold at bay. At the conclusion of their legendary six month journey, Peshkov and Serko arrived in the city of the Tsars, having traversed the empire from Asia to Europe, crossing the Steppes, forests, rivers and mountains. Horse and rider were both in such excellent condition that the Tsar adopted the horse and promoted the Cossack Long Rider. Sadly the breed of horse which Serko belonged to is now believed to be extinct. Yet Serko’s story became the genesis of the world's first twenty-first century Long Rider film.

Opal - Norton & Essex

The US$50 donation is named after the two horses who carried their Long Rider 20,000 kilometres from Africa to Austria!

Pretend for a moment you’re tough enough to undertake such a journey – then consider the fact that someone actually rode that far with two Basuto horses named Essex and Norton. Gordon Naysmith, a Scottish pentathlete, set out in 1970 to ride from the tip of the African continent to the 1972 Olympic Games in distant Germany. Already an accomplished horseman, Naysmith thought he understood the dangers and rigours the journey would throw at him. He was wrong. The trail across Africa brought the Long Rider and his rugged horses into contact with the most dangerous predators on the continent – both men and beasts. Deserts, wars, ambushes: Essex and Norton took Naysmith through them all with a ferocious determination. The horses were trapped on board ship in the Red Sea. They nearly died of thirst in the deserts of Arabia. Yet nothing stopped them. The world threw a great many obstacles at Essex and Norton. The world failed, as theirs is the only equestrian journey of its kind undertaken during the 20^th century – a mounted trip stretching across 16 countries.

Turquoise - Trigger

The US$25 donation is named after the rescue horse who carried his Long Rider all over Europe.

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 in 1964 on an incredible 9,000 mile, non-stop journey through western Europe. Holt never ranked himself above his mount. The resultant trip saw them sleeping out in the rough without a tent for more than 400 nights. Together they faced great hardships, suffering through storms, floods and whirlwinds. At one point in their travels the ageing gypsies were even marooned on a ledge and nearly drowned by the raging sea. Because of these shared dangers, Holt and Trigger maintained a legendary bond that touched people’s hearts. An Italian princess had jewels set in one of Trigger’s old shoes. When they rode into London the likeable duo were guests of the Queen of England.  That is why humble and loveable Trigger, who carried his master on a 9,000 mile journey around Europe in the 1960s, is on our list of equine heroes.