Just Awesome....

ONE LONG RIDE
Girl with a mission traveling across state on horseback
By AMY FREDMAN
Staff intern
E'leese Madgett-Manrique is on a mission.

The 12-year-old from Buffalo, Minn., has been riding her horse all summer, which is not unusual for a girl with a passion for horses.

The difference is that E'leese is riding across Minnesota to raise money for "The Ranch," a place where soldiers can go to rest, relax and heal at no cost.

On Tuesday, E'leese rode her horse, Chips N' Salsa, a 16-year-old full-blooded Arabian, through Pequot Lakes. On Thursday, she was to ride in Brainerd, entering from the Paul Bunyan Trail at 1 p.m. and riding down Laurel Street.

"It's her mission, just like the soldiers'," said mom Kerry Madgett, who gave up her job and sold her car, house and furniture to pay for the ride.

On her 86-day trek across Minnesota, E'leese's goal is to ride 860 miles and raise $16 million for The Ranch, which breaks down to $3 for every Minnesotan.

"It's less than a cup of coffee," Kerry said. "We can't tell our military we won't pay that."

The idea came on a trip to Colorado last summer. When E'leese saw mailboxes with flags honoring military personnel, she knew she wanted to do something.

"I thought it would be something manageable, like passing out phone cards," Kerry said. "But I told her, whatever it is, be passionate about it, and passionate and horse are the same word in her mind."

The idea started as a nationwide trek, but Kerry eventually narrowed it to just Minnesota. From there, E'leese got into the act. She sent letters to area business people, who then donated the truck, trailer and other necessary items for the ride. E'leese also sent letters to top officials, including first lady Laura Bush, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the King of Arabia.

"The Ranch," E'leese said in her mission statement, "will not be fancy, in fact it will be humble. Just like the men and women that serve their country. ... The Ranch will be a number of cabins surrounding a lodge and dining room. Soldiers can spend the day lounging around, taking a walk, going for a swim or taking a horse out for a ride. Do ranch chores or relax, read a book or have a good conversation, be our guest. For those who do so much for others, we thank you."

E'leese and Kerry envision that The Ranch will be run by volunteers, namely college students. The two already have details for The Ranch planned out, and most "come from us lying in bed at night and talking," Kerry said.

Kerry said that such facilities exist, but they date back to World War II. "They're gross," E'leese added of the condition of the facilities.

E'leese is determined to complete her journey. Saturday marks the halfway point, which Kerry said will help convince people that E'leese's summer-long ride is achievable.

"It's not just our ride, it's Minnesota's ride," Kerry said.

E'leese, who has been riding since age 9, began her trek on June 7, two days after she finished her last day of sixth grade, and if she successfully completes the journey, she will start school two days after she gets home.

E'leese's goal is to gain exposure for The Ranch. Pawlenty spoke about E'leese on his radio program, and on June 5, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., read E'leese's goal on the floor of Congress. Also, the government has granted a congressional flag to be flown at The Ranch and the Ojibwe conducted a tribal ceremony for E'leese, awarding her and her horse with eagle feathers. E'leese also was awarded a Blue-Star Mother pin.

But E'leese still is only 12. After finishing her ride through Pequot Lakes, E'leese was most excited to dismount her horse and eat an ice cream cone.

"She really doesn't care about the media, press or fame. It's a job," Kerry said. "She gets bored giving interviews. She's 45 one minute and 12 the next."

For E'leese, "sleeping in" is sleeping until 9 a.m., which is only on rare days off. And on days off, despite her time riding each day, E'leese still chooses to ride.

E'leese and Kerry haven't been home since the beginning of the ride, and while they may be as close as 20 miles from home, the two are committed to staying on the road.

"Soldiers don't get to go home," Kerry said. "...We are doing the same thing on a much less level."

People from the mounted patrol now accompany E'leese on her ride, and one woman from the mounted patrol helps organize places for E'leese and Kerry to stay.

"They get as much credit as E'leese and I ever will," Kerry said. "Minnesota has great people.

"We're paid every day in kindness." Kerry said after tearfully telling a story of an elderly couple whose grandson is in Iraq. The couple ran from their fields to greet E'leese and donate to The Ranch. "We go to bed very rich. Dirty and tired, but rich."

E'leese will complete her ride Aug. 31 at the state Capitol. Donations may be made at www.onegirloneride.com or at any Wells Fargo bank.