Aime Tschiffely's Ride Across the Americas
The Most Famous Equestrain Long Rider of the Twentieth Century
Aug 5, 2009
Aime Felix Tschiffely, regarded by many as the most famous long rider in history, was born in Zofinguen, Switzerland on 7 May 1895. He immigrated to England in the late 1910's, where he tried his hand at a number of jobs which included a job as teacher, professional footballer and a boxer.
An avid scholar, Tschiffely moved to Buena Aires in 1923, aged 28, having been offered a teaching job in an English-American school.
When Aime announced his plan to trek across the America's on horse back, people derided him. 'It couldn't be done!' they said, 'impossible!' but the editor of La Nacion put him in touch with Dr. Emilio Solanet, a breeder of Criollo horses, descendants from the Arabian-barb horses brought over with the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century.
Mancha and Gato, Criollo Horses
Dr. Solanet gave Tschiffely two geldings which had previously belonged to an Indian chief, 16 year old Mancha, (which means 'spotty') a chestnut and white skewbald and Gato, (which means 'cat') a 15 year old dun. Neither was especially pretty to look at, in fact, Aime was far from complimentary when he said, 'Their sturdy legs, short thick necks and Roman noses are as far removed from the points of a first-class English hunter as the North Pole from the South.' He went on to say, ' I am willing to state my opinion boldly that no other breed in the world has the capacity of the Criollo for continuous hard work.'
On 23 April 1925, Tschiffely set out with the horses and a Belgian police dog he had been given but the quartet didn't stay together for long. The dog got a little too close to the horses and he was badly kicked, suffering a broken shoulder blade. Flagging down a passing car, Tschiffely was taken to a phone where he called a friend who took the injured dog for treatment. Not expecting the animal to survive, Aime was thrilled to be greeted by the dog on his return three years later.
The trio made their way across the pampas of Argentina. For Tschiffely, the main danger was to prevent the horses from eating romerillo, a poisonous weed. This he did by rubbing a small amount on their teeth so they could taste its bitterness and learn to avoid it.
Crossing the desert country of Santiago de Estero, Tschiffely encountered a vast cloud of locusts which stretched so far it took an hour to pass. From here they reached the Tucuman, which as a hilly forested area was in stark contrast to the desert they had left behind them and on to the Bolivian border.
Having contracted blood poisoning from an infected wound, Tschiffely pressed on against doctor's advice, riding higher into the Andes. The high altitudes started to affect him and he was struck by heavy nosebleeds and faintness, symptoms of puna or mountain sickness and had to be treated by an Indian herb doctor. Still he pressed on finally reaching the Bolivian capital, La Paz. Here Aime and his horses took a well earned rest before continuing along the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world before continuing onto Peru.
The trail to Curzo was particularly dangerous, as it was bordered by quicksand. Tschiffely left it for his sure footed steeds to pick their way through the narrow trail, but worse was to come. Attacked by bats, Aime rubbed the horses with a paste of crushed garlic and pepper. He might not be able to vouch for its effectiveness against keeping vampires at bay, but the paste seemed to do the trick with the bats.
Through Equator and onto Columbia, it was here that Aime almost lost his life. Having encountered countless storms, his luck finally gave out when he was struck by lightening. Although thrown to the ground and losing consciousness for a while neither Aime of his horse where seriously hurt.
At last the trio crossed the Mexican border; here Gato was badly kicked on the knee by a mule. The wound was so bad; Tschiffely thought the horse would have to be destroyed. However, with the help of friends, Aime managed to get Gato onto a train to Mexico City where he could be examined by vets.
Mexico was gripped by revolution, and much of the country was in the hands of bandits but the army granted Tschiffely and Mancha safe passage across the Sierra Madre and onto Mexico City where they were re-united with a fully recovered Gato.
Rio Grande, Gateway to the U.S.
Crossing the Rio Grande, Tschiffely assumed the highways of the United States would be safer than the countries they had passed though, but a car swerved violently across the path of Mancha, knocking the horse to the floor. Thankfully the horse wasn't badly injured and they were able to continue their journey onto New York where they were met by the Mayor and a crowd of well wishers.
Calvin Coolidge, President of USA
While the horses enjoyed a well earned rest, Tschiffely was taken to the White House where he was received by President Calvin Coolidge.
Mancha and Gato returned to Argentina while Aime Tschiffely returned to England, although the trio were re-united briefly when Aime returned to Argentina for a visit.
Aime Felix Tschiffely died on 5 January 1954 as a result of complications following minor surgery. His ashes were scattered near the memorial for his beloved horses on Emilio Solanet's ranch, El Cardal.
Gato died in 1944 at the age of 32. Mancha died aged 37 three years later. Both horses are buried at El Cardal.
Long Riders Guild
The Long Riders Guild was formed in 1994. It is the world's first international association of equestrian explorers who have ridden more than 1,000 miles in a single equestrian journey.
Sources:
- Grateful thanks to the Aime Tschiffely Literay Estate
 |
 |
