Clarksville to Gallipolis on Horseback: Michelle LeCompte, Equestrian

Paul and Michelle & Horses Gus and Taw

Clarksville to Gallipolis on Horseback: Michelle LeCompte, Equestrian

By Gina McKnight

Archived from the August 2025 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete www.floridaequineathlete.com

No Duplication Without Permission

 

Michelle LeCompte and her husband, Paul, are gearing up for an ambitious horseback journey spanning over 100 miles from Clarksville to Gallipolis, Ohio, set to take place this September. This ride, a blend of adventure and personal significance, promises to be both physically demanding and emotionally rewarding. Their story serves as a testament to resilience, preparation, and the profound bond between humans and horses.

The route connects two points steeped in meaning for Michelle. Clarksville, where the journey begins, is the couple’s current home base, while Gallipolis holds her roots, her family, and cherished memories of exploring the wild backwoods of her parents' 27-acre property on horseback as a child. For Michelle, this ride is about revisiting her past and rediscovering the untouched reaches of her childhood sanctuary.

Welcome, Michelle!

GM: Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your journey with us! As always, we want to know your horse history. When did you meet your first horse?

ML: As a little girl we moved around a lot so I wasn’t able to have a horse of my own! I always remember loving them, but my actual experiences with horses were at my Grannie’s in Florida. My Uncle Leland and Aunt Jessie had horses. My Uncle Leland once put me and my brother on a horse when I was about five years old and I was hooked! I kept begging from that point on. When I was twelve years old my parents moved to a farm with a barn and quickly there after I got my first horse, Rebel. He was a retired racing Quarter Horse with heaves (COPD) and was destined for the glue factory-literally! At first ride, I fell in love with him! He was a providential choice!! Rebel took care of me, a totally inexperienced, unsupervised twelve year old girl who rode only bareback. Rebel and I had our own language- verbal cues invented by me that Rebel quickly learned. He knew I needed to be taken care of and he did that job well! Rebel lived the rest of his life at my parent’s farm and died at the ripe old age of forty. He will be forever missed.

GM: Rebel crossed the Rainbow Bridge knowing how much you loved him. I think they miss us, too! The word is out that you and your husband are taking an ambitious ride in southern Ohio from Clarksville to Gallipolis. What inspired such an ambitious endeavor

ML: This was a multi-layered inspiration that started years ago when my dad started “joking” with me about “riding my horse to their house”! We laughed about it-but it planted a seed. My parents live in Gallipolis on a beautiful, wooded, and wild 27 acres. As a young girl, I explored the far reaches of the property on horseback. It was magical. Some say Grandma Gatewood even walked through this property! No one has been to the back of the property since I left for college in 1979. There is no road - it is only accessible on horseback I believe. I have been dreaming about getting myself and my 88 year old mother back there somehow! So those two things - ride my horse to Mom and Dads and see the backwoods of their property started circling around in my mind! They just needed a little push to come to fruition. That push came in the form of a book that I picked up at the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge July 2024. The book, Journeys: Finding Joy on Horseback by Joy S. Miller-Upton. It’s an incredible story about an incredible women and her month long, solo horseback journey! After reading just a few chapters, the bells went off in my mind! It is possible - It can be done - It has been done- I think I will! So the planning began!

GM: When we find inspiration from serendipitous sources, we just know it’s destiny! Everyone here supports your adventures and will be looking forward to seeing your joy as you partake on this journey. Is there a deeper significance to the journey for you?

ML: Oh, boy - that is a loaded question. The short answer is yes – the long answer is a very complicated and a painful look into my anxiety ridden brain! For the past three years, after a very minor fall off my horse Taw, I have been struggling with a crippling anxiety while riding. It has been a slow, arduous process with lots of tears and frustration! At one point during a bootcamp clinic held by my trainer, Helge Buflod, in 2022 I was on the ground in my horse’s stall crying and threatening to quit riding! Helge, realizing I was close to a mental breakdown, assured me that I could do it and promised to basically “hold my hand” until I was able to do it on my own! He has been true to his words. I gradually improved and he knew just how far to push me to help me grow past the anxiety. We had a code phrase - Abandon Ship - if I needed to take a break from intense anxiety-provoking training! To my knowledge I never had to use it, but I knew that I could!! I have a picture of myself with Taw after that fateful clinic in 2022. I am standing on the ground holding Taw by her lead rope. Her saddle still on. I had gotten off because I was done! There is a grimace on my face almost like a smile, but my sunglasses hide the tears I was crying.

In 2023 I traveled to Sedona, Arizona, with a good friend, Jocelyn Metzger. She was attending a medical training seminar and I was just along for the ride. I enjoyed the beauty and serenity of the place and spent time talking to God about my struggles! One of the days, I happened upon a studio of an artist named Chris Navarro. His bronze sculptures depict western, Native Americans, wildlife, and inspirational themes. Just as I was about to leave, my eye caught a glimpse of a sculpture simply titled “Get Back On.” It was a cowboy thrown on the ground, hat off, saddle askew with a boot still in the stirrup! He is rubbing his head and wondering What just happened?!  BAM! At that moment I knew God was telling me to Get Back On - so I did!! It’s been a five steps forward, two steps back, kind of journey with lots of arguing with my trainer - lots of arguing with God, lots of arguing with myself.

In May of this year, I attended the same bootcamp clinic as the one in 2022. In contrast, the last picture of me at this clinic is of me galloping astride my Taw (with only a halter and lead rope) pulling a flying tarp across the finish line!! What a victory for me! I have the two of those disparate photos together on a plaque with this verse - I Corinthians 15:57- But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, in my mind doing something like this ride across Ohio is just the next logical step of continuing to push myself past my comfortable boundaries and count on God to catch me when I fall! *My husband bought me Navarro’s sculpture to help remind me daily that I could and would indeed “Get Back On.”

GM: What a great story! Now, you are the one inspiring people to press forward! I love how God works through us to empower others. Tell us about your horses - what are their names, breed, and temperament? How have you prepared them physically and mentally for such a long journey?

ML: Gus is a ten year old Missouri Fox Trotter who is like a puppy dog! Just the goofiest, calmest, mischievous 14.2 little man! He is my husband’s horse and they make a great pair! Taw is a four year old Tennessee Walker who is beautiful and knows it! She is a sassy, intelligent, opinionated, 16.1 hand big girl! I have had her since she was six months old and she has been an integral part of my anxiety journey.

To help prepare them both for the journey we ride them on trails, use an obstacle course to help desensitize them to things they might come across, and take every opportunity to introduce them to new situations. We also have ridden them on some very intense bushwhacking in the mountains of South Dakota as well!

GM:  What kind of endurance training have you gone through to ensure you are ready for the challenge?

ML: For myself, in addition to frequent riding, I have added rebounder training five days a week to improve my cardiovascular stamina and I also do either yoga or Pilates five days a week for strength and flexibility. Pair that with living on a small farm where I garden and care for horses and chickens, which requires lots of heavy lifting! I feel like for my age, I am in excellent shape. My husband is an avid pickleball player. He plays three times a week. He is also very active on the farm which requires a lot of manual labor. And at my and Helge’s insistence he has taken up riding lessons. We are planning on increasing our riding in the month prior to our trip to six days a week. All these things combined should set us up for success, but the truth is you can never quite be ready for something like this! You have to just go for it! Prayers appreciated!!

GM: We pray that the Lord keeps His hedge around you, under His wings, and your ride will be a great success! What supplies are absolutely essential for a long-distance ride like this? Are there any unexpected items you’ve packed that other riders might not think about?

ML: Coffee!! Just joking (sort of)! We will have an emergency kit for human and horse containing an epi-pen, betadine, Blu-Kote, Duct tape, Band-Aids, Vet wrap, baling twine, hoof pick, eye wash and ointment, appropriate oral pain relievers, and Benadryl. We will have a satellite/GPS Garmin, our cell phones, compass, maps, a very small butane cooker, tent, knife, and pepper spray. All of our gear together can not weigh over 50 pounds per horse. We are counting on some very good friends and my parents to deliver us hay, water, and food, if needed. I think most people wouldn’t think to bring a small surgical suture kit, lidocaine (we are both Veterinarians), wire cutters and a cribbage board. And yes, we are bringing coffee!!

GM: Sounds like you have everything you need. Mapping your trail will take a lot of forethought. Your route will take you through various landscapes. How did you plan your journey, and what are the key landmarks or challenges you anticipate along the way?

ML: As of today, June 29, 2025, we don’t have the complete journey planned, but the rest of the journey will be planned in the same manner we are using now! We are using Ohio County highway maps procured from each County Engineer’s Office. This was a suggestion of Joy Miller-Upton. Yes - we are using good-old fashioned maps. In addition, we also are using the Garmin to help us visualize by satellite image the topography of the land. We have driven some of the roads of our first few days from here to Hillsboro where we will be staying at the Highland County Fairgrounds (also a suggestion of Joy Miller-Upton). That route is about 24 miles of our total 105 miles journey (as the crow flies). Our main concerns or challenges are major highways we might have to cross and the Scioto River. We will attempt to find the shallowest part of that river in order that we may cross it on horseback. We are considering hiring someone to trailer us across these obstacles just to be sure no humans or horses are injured in the process.

GM: There are many horseman in southeastern Ohio who will be happy to help your progress. There is no lack of horse trailers and/or riders willing to assist. Long hours in the saddle can be grueling. What strategies will you use to maintain your stamina and keep both yourself and your horse in peak condition throughout the ride?

ML: Anytime I’ve done really long rides, my mind seems to wander. I think because it’s a slower pace than my normal crazy schedule. The slow walking of the horse allows me to take the time to really see the environment around me rather than the “blur” I see in my normal everyday life. It causes me to metaphorically and literally stop and smell the roses! So, while my 64 year old body may be screaming Ouch! my mind is being completely refreshed and cleansed from my normal chaotic life. I am counting on the old adage Mind Over Body!! As for the horses, I will let them take it as slow as they want and make sure they get water stops as frequently as possible. I chose the month of September because it is the best weather in Ohio. September has crisp, cool mornings, and warm, but not humid days. This will definitely benefit the horses and us as well. Finally, we will take breaks as needed for all of us. Maybe a cat nap for us and some grazing for the horses. PS. My husband says that it is his mercurial sense of humor which will keep us all going! LOL!

GM: Besides Joy, have you received any advice or guidance from seasoned riders who’ve undertaken similar journeys? What’s the best tip you’ve been given? 

ML: Joy, who did a similar, but longer journey solo, had many excellent suggestions. One of them, calling the County Engineer’s offices to attain individual county highway maps has proved invaluable. The maps have turned out to be our main tool for planning our route.

Helge Buflod, my trainer, lets me bounce off some of my crazy notions and then gives me more realistic options. He says that on any trip he has taken he carries duct tape, baling twine, and a knife. We will have all three of these items handy at all times. Spiritual and emotional guidance/advice has also been given: My parents, Gerald and Barbara Vallee. My father implanted the seed of the idea. They are my biggest fans; Helge Buflod, my trainer, for advice and guidance concerning all aspects of this journey; Joy Miller-Upton for the realization that it can be done!; Paul LeCompte, my husband, for being my partner in crime and adventure!

GM: Equestrian travel has a historical charm. Do you feel a connection to riders of the past who traveled across these same routes on horseback?

ML: I definitely feel a connection to the Indians. They had only horses as a mode of travel and they were very connected to them. They viewed horses as sacred and considered them relatives rather than mere animals. They believed horses had emotions and a spiritual connection. Even as a young girl I fantasized about being an Indian-riding bareback with only a halter. Now as an adult I feel that same spiritual connection facilitated by riding my horse through this beautiful countryside.

GM: What do you hope people take away from your journey? Is there a message or goal behind this ride that you want to share?

ML: There are several “take aways” that I hope people will learn from our journey. First - age is just a number. Don’t let your age prevent you from doing hard things! Doing hard things is where we feel the most alive and learn the best life lessons! Second - anxiety can be overcome! It doesn’t have to cripple you for the rest of your life!! You can have victory over it and do things you would never have dreamed you could do! There is always hope. Anxiety can be conquered! Third - marriage is good! My husband and I will be celebrating our 39^th anniversary in the middle of this trip. This is a miracle to anyone who has known us! Our story (partially chronicled in Paul’s book from Broken to Blessed) is one of determination, persistence, and tenacity! It’s the same “Get Back On” theory that rescued me from anxiety. This journey is a celebration of overcoming great odds and achieving a marriage where love and adventure abound! We want to encourage others to “Get Back On” and flourish in their marriages.

Connect with Michelle

Podcast: What to Say & How to Say https://greaterimpact.org 

Follow on Facebook @ Get Back On