Two Ontario sisters have just gotten started on the ride of a lifetime as they set out across Canada with their horses.
Katie and Jewel Keca dreamed of riding their horses across the country since they were children but life got busy and the plan was put aside.
According to Jewel, 18, she was determined to make the journey after deciding to delay entering university.
“Nothing interests me and I knew I would just be bored,” Jewel told CTV Atlantic. “I was like, ‘I remember this dream, I really want to do it,’ so I’m going to make it my learning experience.”
Katie, 23, said she eventually forgot about the plan, but was convinced to go after her sister gifted her a horse for Christmas, and her parents gave them their blessing.
“After talking with my parents and her about it I thought, ‘I can’t miss this opportunity,’” said Katie. “Once I made the decision I was so excited about it.”
The sisters will ride with their horses Lux and Ora with all of their belongings kept in saddlebags. In a lead up to their journey, they conducted research and spent several nights sleeping in the forest with their horses nearby.
The Kecas are also getting help from a sponsor who is providing feed for their horses, and they’ve already received assistance from strangers along the way. A recent Facebook post from the sisters asked if anyone had a farm or shelter they could stay in due to the rain, with many people trying to help them out.
“That’s what makes the trip so amazing,” said Katie. “It’s the people we meet who keep inspiring us and encouraging us… and want to support us.”
The Keca sisters will be raising money for the Lion’s Foundation of Dog Guides throughout their ride, with direct donations to the foundation as well as cheques.
The sisters expect the journey could take them more than eight months, riding about 30 kilometres a day.
“Thinking back to when it was just an idea and a dream and now we are here,” said Jewel. “It’s really crazy, it hasn’t really hit yet.”
With a report from CTV Atlantic
