Barry Armitage

The Ride concept was born of Barry’s blithe statement when preparing to move from KwaZulu Natal to the Cape: “I’ll ride my horses to Cape Town.” A flippant line leading to life changing experiences recreating historic rides as adventure television.

Three years on however the horses are still in KZN, and the time has come for Barry and Joe to set out on that original 2000km ride: a ride with little concern for time and without the constraints of a TV production. Part charity fund raiser, part grand social experiment, they will be throwing themselves at the mercy of the goodwill of the people of South Africa; needing places to stay, feed for their horses and themselves, while travelling slowly through their beautiful country, while raising funds for equine charities.

Joe has left his job to join Barry full time on The Ride. They leave the wildlife reserve, to which they dedicated many years, behind them and set out to ride their horses from the midlands of KwaZulu Natal to Cape Town. On Ride veterans Pat and Jack, as well as Barry’s horses Cola and Cherokee they plan to cover 2000km in 10 weeks.

Riding slowly is a new experience for Barry and Joe giving them time to appreciate their country and its people. They will self film their journey; their experiences, the people they meet on the road and those who put them up for the night. From simple mud huts to some of the best hotels the country they will take what is offered, or sleep on the roadside with their four horses. They have also extended an open invitation to all South Africans: the general public, the many people who have helped realize their previous expeditions, members of the media, and celebrities to come out and meet them on the road, or to bring their horses and join The Ride for a day or two. Along the way they will raise cash for their equine charities of choice and look for ways to help hands dig deep into pockets to contribute.

Barry Armitage and Joe Dawson ride Into the Unknown sometime in early November and hope to arrive in Cape Town in the new year…. but who knows what will happen along the way! The Ride....coming to a place near you soon.