MARCH/APRIL 2012 THE RIDER /69 Filipe’s JourneyAmerica


two horses 16,000km through eleven countries with a solar pow- ered backpack, an iPhone, GPS, tent, folding bucket, and hay bag, and that’s it!


Filipe plans to do just that this summer, heading back to the Calgary Stamped where his love of horses was first realized to begin his two-year trip to arrive at his final destination of Sao Paulo Brazil, just in time for the 2014 World Cup. How would a twenty-five-year old even dream up such an adventure? That is where this story becomes a journey of fate! As a young boy Filipe’s father would often tell him about history’s most famous “Long Rider” the Swiss born, Aime Tschiffelly who in 1925 rode two horses from Argentina to New York. Sometime is happens that you hear a story as a young child, and that story stays with you for a lifetime! It coats both your mind and your heart, so that everything you do in life prepares you for your destiny – your journey, and that is how Filipe views his life to this point.


By Laurie Haughton


— Sometimes is happens that you hear a story as a young child, and that story stays with you for a lifetime.! It coats both your mind and your heart, so that everything you do in life prepares you for your destiny – your journey!


Meet Filipe Masetti Leite, a 25-year-old Ryerson University graduate, and I promises you; that not only will you not forget him, but he could very well make you look at our world from a different perspective.


Although he is young, he has packed some very remarkable experiences into his first quarter century, already an accomplished documentary filmmaker; he is also an essential contributor to the success of Toronto’s Brazilian Day festivities. When you speak with Filipe the first thing that grabs your attention is his energy and his passion. Like many his age, in the transition from universi- ty to the “real world”, he has his frustrations with the way society looks at certain aspects of its self. Filipe has a desire to see change in the world, but one step beyond that unlike many, he has the ambition and the resolution to find a way to make a positive impact in the direction of change.


Growing up in Brazil, his father was a known horseman who in the 1980’s imported Quarter Horses from Texas to Brazil and began some of that country’s very first rodeos. His name Filipe, chosen by his father means; “Friend of horses” or “Lover of Hors- es,” so it should come as no surprised that Filipe was raised in the saddle! Although it was really not until after his family immigrat- ed to Canada and following a trip to the Calgary Stamped during his teenage years, that Filipe really decided that the horse was one of his life’s passions.


As Filipe prepares for his trip, and looks back on his past experiences he can see how each one of the endeavors from his past, has prepared him to make this dream a reality. When asked why he would want to even attempt a task that seams so near impossible Filipe responded that there are two main goals “I am riding to give voice to issues of humanity and social justice, and my horses they are coming with me to bring to light issues of horse health in developing countries.”


This trip will take Filipe through small cities and villages, where he will be documenting the people and their issues and also assisting them to learn better ways to care for their horses, who often are still used as a means of life in these countries. His farrier knowledge will surly be welcomed and with three immediate members of his family all equine veterinarians, along with him on speed dial, He will be equipped with knowledge should either his own horses or those who he may encounter be in need of veteri- narian advice. Without a doubt Filipe is as far more equipped then his hero ever dreamed of being back in 1925!


The most exciting thing about this journey is that for the first time in history, not only will the entire journey be documented on film, but also with the aid of GPS and Social Media, people from all over the world will be able to track Filipe and interact with him in real time. These aspects alone make Filipe a High Tech Cow- boy!


So get ready folks, you will have a “screen” side seat as this two-year adventure starts to unfold later this summer. Remember to follow Filipe online, and be sure that The Rider will be track- ing Filipe and his horses along the way!


To learn more and find out how you can help visit: www.journeyamerica.net/


Track Filipe on his journey at www.thelongridersguild.com/LRG.htm


Also follow him on: Twitter: @filipemasetti


To learn more about Aime Tschiffelly and his 1925 ride check out www.aimetschiffely.org


“The Road to Dago” can be viewed at (www.roadtodago.com)


Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Journey-America Tumblr: www.filipemasetti.tumblr.com


Joan Harris Named as a Recipient of the Endurance Canada Hall Of Fame Award


Filipe spent much of his high school career competing in rop- ing events hosted by the Ontario Rodeo Association, Ontario Rop- ing Association, and the Ontario High School Rodeo Association. Learning his skills from known Ontario cowboy Jason Thompson, the two would spent many hours in the saddle together but also under Thompson’s tutelage Filipe fostered a keen interest into shoeing horses, a skill that at the time Filipe really didn’t ever see a need to acquire, but did so none the less.


Success in the rodeo arena was good friend; Filipe even made it to the National High School Rodeo Championships twice, but soon his ambitions would called him to Toronto where he began his studies in journalism.


Opportunities at Ryerson University presented themselves and being who he is, Filipe gladly saw them through. When Peru was devastated by storms he and a group of other students orga- nized and volunteer to help with the clean up. He backpacked through most of North, Central and South America, and in 2010 he and a fellow student traveled to Kenya to shoot a documentary film. That experience has a profound impact on Filipe not only did it solidify that he was on the right path professionally, but also that he knew how he could use his talents to help bring about change in our world.


Ottawa, ON—Endurance Canada takes great pride in recognizing Joan Harris for all she has done for the sport of endurance in Canada. For her dedication, Harris has been named as recipient of the Endurance Canada Hall Of Fame Award.


The list of Harris’ endurance related accomplishments could wrap around a trail loop, but she is not content to retire and reflect on her past accomplishments. She remains an active member of the local sad- dle club near her home in Jarvie, Alberta. She has quite literally lost track of the num- ber rides she has organized and managed, some of them FEI, in the past 30 years. Harris has also held every board of direc- tor’s position in her provincial organization, the Endurance Riders of Alberta. At present she is a member and a com- mittee member of Endurance Canada, and she is an FEI Endurance Steward. Her resume of her international involvement in the capacity as rider, official and crew is extensive.


“While we were down there, I met a few kids and adults with a strong interest in journalism. This is what sparked this idea. I got into [journalism] because I once dreamed of changing the world by telling stories from around the globe. I now realize I must sim- ply aid those without a voice in telling their own stories. I truly believe that when those suffering in the developing world are given the opportunity to tell others about their struggles, change will come.” – Filipe Masetti Leite


Changing the world! Lofty idea? -– Well how about riding


Harris has held three FEI rides in a row, and she has a three year plan for more rides including FEI rides and fundraising rides for them. No small task on a tight budget, a retirement income, and quite often a task force of one—herself. When her trail system needs to be cleared and marked on horseback which she has often done on her own, she has been known to pack a chainsaw on her horse and spend a whole day clearing trail.


Yet Harris still makes time to ride.


Her lifetime mileage is close to 6800 com- petitive miles and Harris is looking forward to participating in 100 mile rides this com- ing summer and next year, so she will have her 7000 mile award buckle in time for her 70th birthday.


Equine Canada website. About Equine Canada


For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.


“It is a great honor to be recognized this way for my 30th anniversary of being involved with endurance riding,” said Har- ris. “I love every aspect of this sport from grassroots to podium. It has been my life.” Harris’ mixture of modern foresight, blended with experience and her enthusi- asm to assist anyone from first time rider to first time FEI rider has been an encourage- ment to many endurance members. “Joan Harris has been hugely valuable to the sport of Endurance in Canada; one might almost say pivotal,” said Endurance Canada Committee chair, Terre O’Brennan. “In addition to her many years of service at the domestic level—managing events for her local Alberta riders—she has been at the very forefront of promoting internation- al level competition. Her commitment to managing FEI-sanctioned events where both athletes and officials can qualify and get experience has been crucial to our efforts to compete on the World stage.” And while she has no plans to retire just yet the Hall of Fame would not be complete without Harris’ name in it.


About Endurance Canada


For more information, please visit the Endurance Canada section of the


Joan Harris named as recipient of the 2012 Endurance Canada Hall Of Fame Award. Photo ID— (left to right) Terre O’Brennan and Joan Harris


Photo Credit—Robert Young


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