The Woman

Erin Zwiener is a 21 year old Forestry student at the University of Montana in Missoula. She's finishing up her classes early this semester in order to graduate before departing on the expedition. Raised in Austin, Erin is a 7th generation Texan. However, the call of wide open spaces led her north and west. She still loves the Texas Hill Country, but the Northern Rockies are now her home.

Erin began riding horses at age seven. She competed in hunter/jumper competions for the next few years. After a moving from Dallas to Austin, Erin began riding Arabian horses. At 13, Erin became the owner of Razi Akil Salim, her "baby". Razi is a purebred Arabian gelding, now 13, who truly taught Erin to ride. When Erin moved to Montana in 2004, Razi came with her. The two learned how navigate mountain trails together and spent the following summer in the Bob Marshall Wilderness working for an outfitter. Razi is currently in Texas with Erin's horse trainer and will be there for the duration of the expedition.

Erin decided to attempt a long ride when she was 17 and has been deciding where and when ever since. With her growing love for the Rockies and the backcountry, the Continental Divide Trail became the obvious choice. She has been planning this expedition since last May.

The Horse

Rua Badra is a 7 year old sorrel Morgan/Arabian mare. Erin purchased her in April 2005 entirely untrained. Her name at the time was Bodacious. For those of you who don't follow Rodeo, Bodacious was a bull famous for injuring riders. This tells you something about Rua at the time. She had previously been abused and came close to starving. Despite that, Erin fell in love with her on sight and saved up the money to purchase her. She was a wee bit difficult, but all she really needed was patience and kindness. Erin and Rua have developed a very close relationship with a lot of trust. She doesn't like the arena much, but she is the best mountain horse Erin has ever ridden. She has excellent endurance, a fast walk, a low center of gravity, and most important, never loses her head. Rua's bushwalked through deadfall late at night, navigated mud holes in a swamp, and even jogged around a truck stop all without batting an eye. She also happens to be drop dead gorgeous.

The Mule

Yoakum is a 9 year old john mule. Erin named him after Dwight Yoakum, one of her favorite country singers. She purchased him in October 2006 specifically for this expedition. He can be a little bit stubborn (imagine that), but Erin can now say without a doubt that she is more stubborn than a mule. However, Yoakum has a great attitude and an excellent work ethic.

The Dog

Erin adopted Ledoux from the Humane Society in Durango, Colorado last summer. She named him after Chris Ledoux, another country singer (anybody see a pattern). He is a Husky/hound cross, at least that's the current best guess. He can run all day long and loves nothing more than exploring the woods with the horses. Erin is looking forward to finally seeing this dog tired.

erin@ridethegreatdivide.com

3101 Barton Point Circle Austin,TX 78733