50 Years Ago Today: The Great American Horse Race Began—92 Riders, 1,966 Miles, Pure Adventure

Tom Sites earned this patch for riding 1,966 miles across America in the Great American Horse Race. He had no crew, no experience, and a horse named Jose Dante who once ran him into traffic.

In honor of the Great American Horse Race 50th anniversary, we’re sharing Tom’s complete story—listen to his podcast interview and read his written first-hand account of this historic ride.

The Great American Horse race began on Memorial Day 1976 in Frankfort, New York and finished 100 days later in Sacramento, California. This 50th anniversary marks half a century since one of the most ambitious endurance events ever attempted—a true test of horse, rider, and the American spirit of adventure.