Wanderlust: A story of personal growth, empathy, romance, and the harsh realities of a year long horseback adventure on the Asian steppe - Mayr, Breidahl

Wanderlust: A story of personal growth, empathy, romance, and the harsh realities of a year long horseback adventure on the Asian steppe

December 4, 2020 by Luisa Mayr and Pete Breidahl (Author)

A story of personal growth, empathy, romance, and the harsh realities of a yearlong horseback adventure on the Asian steppe.

The twists and turns that led a young woman and her faithful dog to ride across Asia with a complete stranger are complex, and not far off the script of a hastily slapped together sitcom. Pete and Luisa could not be more opposite; a wild and obnoxious Australian hunter with a dark past and a bubbly, free spirited former vegan and trained vegan chef from Bavaria.

United by their love of horses and dogs, they set off unprepared, under-equipped and way out of their depth just days after a chance meeting in a Mongolian park. It's a journey full of personal failures and triumphs; romance, and dreams shattered, lost, re-claimed and rebuilt only to fall apart once more. But if I am to start anywhere, then perhaps I start by saying we wrote this book for people just like us. So, if you do contemplate taking any sort of personal journey of self-discovery, you have a chance to avoid many of our failures.

We hope these stories both inspire and educate others that dream of doing something they can look back on and smile about in years to come... smile knowing they did something reckless, beautiful and inspiring; and that even in failure, there can be success. This is a book written by a dreamer and a drunk, who's ambitions exceeded their abilities to such a degree... magic happened daily amid the chaos.

Telling the story of our adventure chronologically seems wrong to us; instead, we’re excited to share the lessons that taught us the most, and offer a glimpse at our feelings and emotions, as well as advice on how to take your own crazy trip. If you are brave, empathetic, physically fit and a little crazy... then go make your own mistakes like we did.

We aren't special, we’re just normal people that decided life was too short.

“Wanderlust has a strong horse focus, but think of it more like the show Top Gear. It's got a little something for everyone; especially anyone who's gazed out the window at work and thought... man, I wish I could just walk out the door and never look back.” Breanna Wilson, Travel writer.

Wanderlust was updated in December 2021 to include 90 images, and to tidy it up as the original was written on a free version of word and an old laptop. This version is no longer available sorry.

Gallant: The Call of The Trail - Claire Eckard

Gallant: The Call of The Trail

Claire Eckard author, 2021
Phylicia Mann illustrator

Gallant and Gracie have a special bond, rarely seen between human and horse. Separated by a bad accident when Gallant is five, each gets a second chance of happiness pursuing the long-distance sport of endurance riding, neither knowing they are leading parallel lives.

Gallant's arch nemesis, The Almighty Flash, threatens to destroy all that Gallant has worked for. His misguided ambition and greed, developed at the hands of an abusive owner, has created a darkness in his soul that turns to blind fury when his endurance career is threatened.

When Gracie meets Jack, she realizes that nothing will ever be as simple as it used to be.

The characters' lives are beautifully woven together against the backdrop of a sport that tests the physical and mental endurance of horse and rider like no other. Gallant: The Call of The Trail, is ultimately a saga of love, adventure, and self-discovery, with an unexpected ending that threatens to change everything.

"All ages are in for a treat when you put author Claire Eckard's enthusiasm and talent between the covers of a book. This story plays with your emotions in each chapter and then leaves you wanting more as the last page is turned." -Julie Suhr, author, endurance rider, 30,857 recorded competition miles.

"Just finished the book, with tears streaming down my face! The story of a young girl and her love and devotion to her horse is heartwarming! In this world of uncertainty, it was refreshing to read a wholesome, loving book, suitable for all ages." -Diane Marquard, author, endurance rider, 12,654 recorded competition miles.

"The Gallant Series promises to be what Black Beauty, National Velvet, and Lassie were to the youth of previous generations. Eckard has written a riveting story of faith, affection, and adventure that follows the lives of two teenagers as they train to compete in the heart stopping sport of endurance riding. Brilliantly written by Eckard and brought to life by the vivid illustrations of artist Phylicia Mann, this first book is sure to become a classic and will leave you breathlessly waiting for the story to continue in the trilogy of books to follow." -Lucian Spataro, Jr., Ph.D., Author of the "The Long Ride", Endurance Rider and Senior Fellow, Civics, Arizona State University

Claire Eckard is an award-winning author who lives in Arizona. She grew up in England and travels there regularly, where she is still obsessed with clotted cream teas, and the tranquil English countryside of her youth. She is married with two grown sons and two beautiful granddaughters. Gallant is her first novel and is the first in a trilogy of books highlighting the sport of endurance riding. She has several published children's books which can be found on her website at www.claireeckardauthor.com, as well as at Amazon.com and other major online sites and bookstores.