Woman on Horseback Rides for Peace

reprint from dc imc, 18.06.2004 01:34

Washington DC – Peace Rider, Catherine Hunter will visit
the Vietnam Memorial Wall and the World War II Memorial
Saturday, 19Jun as part of her horseback pilgrimage from
South Carolina to 9/11 Ground Zero in New York City.
Hunter will be riding her 19-year-old Thoroughbred,
Count of War, a seasoned reenactment and movie horse.

Hunter says the calling to undertake her peace ride is spiritual, not political. Throughout her journey, the 46-year-old writer and horse trainer is speaking to churches, community groups, activists and other organizations about creating world peace.

While not a member of any group or organization, Catherine dresses in black, from her Australian outback hat to her black leggings and paddock shoes, to honor Women in Black, a worldwide network of women who silently vigil for victims of violence. Hunter and her intrepid “Peace Pony” cover a few miles daily, traveling without backup and stopping with people who offer a place for them. Her ride began in Gowansville, SC in October 2003.

Hunter emphasizes that her journey is spiritual, not political. "If people can find their own inner peace and happiness, we can change the world," she says. Hunter explains the calling to undertake her peace ride stems from various sources. A powerful one is a deep sensitivity to the horror and tragedy of war from her historical research and Civil War reenactment experiences.

"If we are going to be a world leader, we can be a world leader in peace," says the steely-eyed Hunter. "If we can stop people from shooting at each other for a day, that will be a start."

She has trained Count of War since birth. The contradiction of Count's name strikes a lot of people. He was named for his ancestors Triple Crown winner Count Fleet and the legendary Man o’ War. Catherine says she didn't know they were going on a peace ride when she named him 19 years ago.

Hunter does not have anyone following her with transportation. She is carrying everything on her horse and stays with people along her route who offer to provide a place for her and her horse. She hopes to arrive at the Vietnam Memorial at 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

More about Hunter, her horse and her mission can be found at
 http://www.peacerider.org

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