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Television show crew and riders visit ranch in Bayard
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| Pat Seay, producer and director of the “Best of America by Horseback,” puts a horse in a pen after unloading it from the trailer at the Flying Bee Ranch in Bayard. Several horses and riders from a group of 45 that are crossing the nation were still out on the trail when the first group arrived. Photo by Chabella Guzman |
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By: CHABELLA GUZMAN, Staff Reporter
BAYARD — Riding back country roads and the occasional highway, the riders, cast and crew of “Best of America by Horseback,” have finally arrived at the Flying Bee Ranch in Bayard.
The group of 45 riders has been on the trail for over two months traveling up from El Paso, Texas, on the way to the Canadian border.
“The trip is 2,100 miles, and we have several core riders that have signed up for the entire trip,” said Mark Laney, CEO of “Best of America by Horseback,” a program on RFD-TV
The trip includes some adventure riders as well, who sign up for a week or two to take their vacation with the riders.
“Not everyone can take five months off from work to go on the trail ride,” Laney said. “We also have a wide range of riders from 40 to 88 years of age. So for safety’s sake, the ride is more of a relaxed ride and not a ‘Survivor’ kind of show.”
Nate Brown, 88, from Thermopolis, Wyo., is one of the oldest riders on the trail. He hasn’t let age stop him from joining the ride, even with a broken leg. According to Pat Seay, producer and director of the “Best of America by Horseback,” he rode every day.
“He recently had to leave the ride, because of the heavy rain and storms where he lives. He had to get back and mend fences,” she said.
As the riders are about half way through their journey, they have experienced a lot in terms of terrain, people and reptiles.
“We had one horse that was bit by a rattlesnake about a month ago,” Pat Seay said. “He turned out OK, and we’ve been on the lookout and seen several. But hopefully no one and no horse will get bit again.”
Traveling through Nebraska has surprised several of the riders, according to Tom Seay, executive producer, host and trail master.
“Most riders have been surprised of the beauty of the Nebraska countryside and what is the best of the heartland,” he said.
The show is broadcast in 14 European countries, and Tom Seay said many viewers don’t know about the beauty of the heartland or its people.
“Nebraska has it all, from the bread basket to friendly, warm people, who will stop and have a conversation with you on the side of the road or at a rest stop,” he said. “It has taken many of the riders from big cities by surprise how great the people are out here.”
The Seays traveled through the area last October when they were making arrangements for the trip. They decided to come through Nebraska because of the history and beautiful country, according to Pat Seay.
“We’ve been friends with Louise and Conrad Kinnaman since 2006 and wanted to bring our riders through the area,” she said.
The Flying Bee Ranch will host the riders for the next couple of days with several events to welcome and celebrate their visit.
“Tom Seay will be dedicating the location of the Moomaw Homestead Cabin Site on our ranch with a sign today at 1 p.m.,” said Louise Kinnaman, co-owner of the Flying Bee Ranch.
The public is invited to the dedication as well as to enjoy hayrides, a trail ride with the group and a cookout today. For more information, call the Kinnamans at (308) 783-2885.
On Thursday, the Seays, their crew and riders will be at the Farm And Ranch Museum at 3 p.m. to present an award to FARM. There will be an antique tractor and work horse demonstration. They will also be at the Oregon Trail Days Kickoff Barbecue and Street Dance at 6 p.m. in Gering.
For more information on the “Best of America by Horseback,” visit the Web site at www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com.
The group of 45 riders has been on the trail for over two months traveling up from El Paso, Texas, on the way to the Canadian border.
“The trip is 2,100 miles, and we have several core riders that have signed up for the entire trip,” said Mark Laney, CEO of “Best of America by Horseback,” a program on RFD-TV
The trip includes some adventure riders as well, who sign up for a week or two to take their vacation with the riders.
“Not everyone can take five months off from work to go on the trail ride,” Laney said. “We also have a wide range of riders from 40 to 88 years of age. So for safety’s sake, the ride is more of a relaxed ride and not a ‘Survivor’ kind of show.”
Nate Brown, 88, from Thermopolis, Wyo., is one of the oldest riders on the trail. He hasn’t let age stop him from joining the ride, even with a broken leg. According to Pat Seay, producer and director of the “Best of America by Horseback,” he rode every day.
“He recently had to leave the ride, because of the heavy rain and storms where he lives. He had to get back and mend fences,” she said.
As the riders are about half way through their journey, they have experienced a lot in terms of terrain, people and reptiles.
“We had one horse that was bit by a rattlesnake about a month ago,” Pat Seay said. “He turned out OK, and we’ve been on the lookout and seen several. But hopefully no one and no horse will get bit again.”
Traveling through Nebraska has surprised several of the riders, according to Tom Seay, executive producer, host and trail master.
“Most riders have been surprised of the beauty of the Nebraska countryside and what is the best of the heartland,” he said.
The show is broadcast in 14 European countries, and Tom Seay said many viewers don’t know about the beauty of the heartland or its people.
“Nebraska has it all, from the bread basket to friendly, warm people, who will stop and have a conversation with you on the side of the road or at a rest stop,” he said. “It has taken many of the riders from big cities by surprise how great the people are out here.”
The Seays traveled through the area last October when they were making arrangements for the trip. They decided to come through Nebraska because of the history and beautiful country, according to Pat Seay.
“We’ve been friends with Louise and Conrad Kinnaman since 2006 and wanted to bring our riders through the area,” she said.
The Flying Bee Ranch will host the riders for the next couple of days with several events to welcome and celebrate their visit.
“Tom Seay will be dedicating the location of the Moomaw Homestead Cabin Site on our ranch with a sign today at 1 p.m.,” said Louise Kinnaman, co-owner of the Flying Bee Ranch.
The public is invited to the dedication as well as to enjoy hayrides, a trail ride with the group and a cookout today. For more information, call the Kinnamans at (308) 783-2885.
On Thursday, the Seays, their crew and riders will be at the Farm And Ranch Museum at 3 p.m. to present an award to FARM. There will be an antique tractor and work horse demonstration. They will also be at the Oregon Trail Days Kickoff Barbecue and Street Dance at 6 p.m. in Gering.
For more information on the “Best of America by Horseback,” visit the Web site at www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com.
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