Rocky’s Web

Press Release

Dated:           June 1, 2008  Blazing the Continental Divide…On Horseback 
 On June 21, 2008, Colonel William W. (Rocky) Woolman II, (retired) of Pueblo, CO, will set out on horseback to establish the first accessible route for equestrians along the Continental Divide. While a hiking route was created many years ago, there has never been a documented route for horseman to follow. Colonel Woolman has spent two years researching and planning his route.  This ambitious endeavor will commence from Antelope Wells, New Mexico, track along his pre-planned route following the Continental Divide and ending in Canada.  No other modern day horseman has accomplished this daunting expedition of riding 3,200 miles on horseback in one year.  While two attempts have been made in recent years, both were halted due to concern for the animals’ health and the riders’ well-being.  Colonel Woolman anticipates the ride will take approximately three months.  However, he concedes it might take longer depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
 Rocky has been contemplating a ride of this magnitude for the past eight years.  He now feels that the time is right to attempt this challenge. Rocky who is an avid horseman has many trail miles under his belt. He started seriously researching and planning his route while stationed in Iraq as a civilian employee in 2006.  He continues to fine-tune his route, to include alternate courses, in the event his planned route is not safe for his horses or other horseman who may follow the trail in the future.  Rocky will be using two American Quarter Horses, and a recently adopted Mustang, which he acquired from the Colorado State Prison system. What better way to explore the West than using horses that are part of our history in the West.
 Jim Wolf, a Baltimore lawyer established the Continental Divide Trail Society in 1978. The Society’s goal when formed was to encourage the government to build the trail. While only a limited number of avid hikers hike the entire length of the Continental Divide every year, thousands of outdoor lovers hike other parts of the trail.  Horseback riding is becoming a very popular recreational activity.  The route, which Colonel Woolman establishes, will make it easier for riders to attain their locations and documentation in order to better prepare them for the challenges, which lie ahead. Rocky’s experiences in the field both as a horseman and retired army officer provides him with the knowledge of the potential dangers that he may encounter on this ride though the remote wilderness.  He desires to share his knowledge and expertise to better prepare future equestrian explorers.
Upon his retirement from public service in June 2008, Rocky, 62, will be residing in Antlers Oklahoma.  While there is no special cause for the ride, other than for personal achievement and the establishment of a trail which horsemen can enjoy in the future, Rocky wants all present day troops and fellow veterans to know that they will be in his thoughts and prayers as always. His quote reflects his feelings of his military career, “I have lived in times that others have forgotten.”
 
Riding along with Colonel Woolman will be Larry Hanson, 63, of MN. Larry will be bringing his three horses for the journey.  Both men will have a saddle horse and a pack animal. Family friend, Paul Hauert, of San Antonio, Texas, will serve as the logistics coordinator and Kathy Merrell of Sauquoit, New York will be documenting the ride.   
To lean more about Colonel Woolman’s journey you can visit his website at www.woolman.us