Horse ride raises American History Museum awareness

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A trio is making history on horseback, riding through Mobile, Thursday, Jan. 3.

Steven Hawke of Texas said he and fellow rider Randy Davidson of Baton Rouge are riding formerly wild horses across the U.S., visiting every major city along the way.

The ride is to raise awareness and money for a new American History Museum that will transform private property from Panama City to Mobile into a 315 mile hike and bike trail.

Hawke said the planned ride will last five years and he and Davidson travel about 10 to 20 miles per day at three miles per hour.

“We're riding horses across the United States. We're going to go to every major city in the United States promoting the design of a new American History Museum,” said Hawke.

“It's kind of a dream come true for me,” said Davidson.

The two riders are supported by a third member who drives a chase car on the 30,000 mile journey.

“I go out and make sure everything the rider’s needs are provided for,” said John Hattaway.   

The horses were not ridden, so the crew had to train them and break them in.

“Getting across the bridges has been impromptu rodeos from time to time,” said Davidson.

“We dance with them. So they're just part of our crew or were part of their heard, one or the other,” said Hawke.

The site of three horses roped to a fence drew on lookers and Animal Control.  

But not everyone was happy to host them.  

A motel manager asked the trio not to keep the animals on its property.   He said the riders agreed, but then around 3 a.m. a garbage collector alerted the manager to his equine guests. He said figured at that point it was too late to do anything about it.   

The riders are headed west.