The Ride is a South African reality adventure series produced by Cooked in Africa Films which features modern-day adventurers Barry Armitage and Joe Dawson as they replicate great horse journeys that shaped the history of various countries.
The series is about great horse journeys that shaped the history of this country, and specifically the daring exploits of individuals from the tumultuous period when South Africa as we know it was being formed.
At its heart, it's a rollicking boys-own adventure that takes the viewer on a journey back in time, where our protagonists replicate a nearly-impossible journey in the modern day.
The Ride platform provides a rare view back – mostly from the back of a horse - into South Africa's past to see what it took to make this country.
It allows us to reflect on those pioneering spirits who left their mark, and appreciate some of the extraordinary accomplishments of relatively ordinary individuals.
Season 1 - "The Ride of the Peacemaker"
Filmed as the first in a series entitled The Ride by Cooked in Africa Films, the first edition - entitled "The Ride of the Peacemaker" - takes viewers on a fast-paced horse-back journey across South African cityscapes and farmlands, including some of the remotest regions of the Wild Coast, as modern day adventurers Barry Armitage and Joe Dawson retrace the hoof-prints of Dick King's historic ride 168 years ago when he rode from Port Natal to Grahamstown in 10 days.
Season 2 - "The Mongol Derby: Race Across the Steppe"
Cooked in Africa Films was in Mongolia in 2011 to film the world's longest horse race (Guinness World Records, 2010) as part of its' second production for The Ride series, entitled "The Mongol Derby: Race Across the Steppe".
Based on Genghis Khan's postal system of the 13th Century, the race covers 1,000km across the Mongol Steppe and saw South African equine adventurers Barry Armitage and Joe Dawson compete against 23 accomplished riders from around the world for the 2011 Mongol Derby title.
Season 3 - "Chasing the Ghost of Sir Harry Smith"
In 1834, the Sixth Frontier War explodes in the eastern settler districts of the British ruled Cape Colony in southern Africa.
Thousands of Xhosa warriors pour over the Eastern border, laying waste to settler farms and Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Harry Smith, veteran of Waterloo and the Peninsula Wars, is tasked with taking command of the British garrison in the settler capital of Grahamstown.
On the 1st of January 1835 Smith leaves Cape Town and, utilizing the postal system of the time, rides the 950km to the frontier capital in just six days: one of the longest, fastest horseback journeys in recorded history.
176 years later modern day adventurers Barry Armitage and Joe Dawson attempt to emulate this heroic equestrian achievement. With 33 horses and the help of an extensive backup crew, they will recreate the postal system of 1835 and endeavour to match the furious pace set by Smith.
The Adventurers
Barry Armitage
A career in the international yachting industry based out of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where adventure and travel were part of a day's work, followed by the development of a ground breaking wildlife reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where the history of the Anglo Boer War and horses became a passion, sowed the seeds for the idea that was to become The Ride.
Impatient, curious, daring and always up for an adventure Barry has lived in Cape Town with his wife and son since 2009.
Joe Dawson
Educated in England, Joe returned to live in the Midlands of his native KwaZulu Natal. He joined Barry on the team developing the Dalton Private Reserve, where the two, already related through marriage, developed a bond and mutual reliance that will stand them in good stead when undertaking The Ride.
Cool under pressure, a passionate conservationist and horseman, fluent isiZulu speaker and always circumspect about an adventure, Joe runs the Dalton Private Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where he lives with his three children.
Mark Samuels
Expedition Producer
Dekuyise Caine
Groom and Guide
Thokoza Mqhotheni
Groom
Servaas "Spud" Murray
Horse Master