Matt Parker to Cross Desert on a Horse With No Name

Horseman Continues Unprecedented Cross-country Journey

MOAB, UT (PRWEB) June 14, 2004 -- Horseman Matt Parker embarked today for the desert city of Moab, Utah, continuing the second leg of his journey across the United States on horseback.

Upon completion of his trip, Matt will become the first person on horseback to finish the 5,000 miles of the American Discovery Trail (ADT). The ADT is the only coast-to-coast non-motorized route across the country.

Resuming his expedition, along the ADT and on his new steed -- a Missouri Fox Trotter-- Matt has elected to replace his previous Racking horse, Smokey, with a horse that is well suited to endure the physical demands of the trip.

Ive got a big task ahead of me, and often it seems daunting because of all the time Ill be alone," said Matt Parker. But I met this beautiful Mormon mother who told me, 'At the end of the day, its you, your horse and the desert. You are not alone."

The Missouri Fox Trotter is known best for the comfort it affords its riders because of the sliding action of the rear feet, rather than the hard step of other breeds. It is used by people for trail, competition and endurance riding. The Missouri Fox Trotter is not a high-stepping horse, but an extremely sure-footed one, which makes this breed a natural choice for a trek of this length.

Matt will also be accompanied by Danny-boy, a mule, which will be used as a pack animal to carry his gear, which was donated by Russ Barnett from Outfitters Supply, based in Columbia Falls, Montana.

Barnett said, When I heard about Matts ambitions to ride across America, I thought to myself, 'Wow, this kid is taking this trip across the country on horseback, he doesnt have a corporate sponsor, hes not getting paid, hes just doing it because he can. Thats why I am in business, this is what I do. I help people carry out plans for expeditions by equipping them with everything essential to be successful and safe."

Picking up right where he left off eight months ago, Matt will start 20 miles south of Moab, North of the entrance to Canyonlands National Park, Needles District. The arid desert through Moab will, once again, test Matt and deliver him into Fruita, Colorado. From there Matt will travel another 300 miles to Denver, where he will regroup and meet with ADT coordinator, Dick Bratton, before taking the southern route of the trails remaining 377 miles to the Kansas state line.

Matt expects to successfully cross Colorado in 30 days.

Due to unusually late snow fall on the Grand Mesa in Colorado, Matt could potentially have to wait it out until the snow melts.

With more than 1,000 miles under his belt, and a much better understanding of the trail and his animals, Matt has approximately 4,000 miles left until he completes his journey which ends in Delaware on the Atlantic coast.

For Immediate release

Contact:

Loretta Shows

llsviews@aol.com

408.995.5566

www.mattandsmokey.com

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