http://www.reliefridersinternational.com/Relief Riders International (RRI) has recently been named one of the winners of Outside Magazine's Best Trips 2005 for its successful relief ride to Rajasthan, India in the fall of 2004.   RRI is now making final preparations for its February 2005 Rajasthan Relief Ride.

 Future Relief Rides consist of a summer Himalayan Relief Ride scheduled for July 31st through August 15th, as well as this years second  Rajasthan Relief Ride which is scheduled from the 6th through the 21 of October 2005

The inaugural 15 day ride, created by founder and Executive Director Alexander Souri, to establish a living memorial to his Indian father began at the majestic Imperial Hotel with a bus ride to historic Fort Mukandgarh.  There the riders met their mounts; the famed Marwari horses, and began an extraordinary ride to several villages in Rajasthan.

Rider Alice Read called her trip to Rajasthan "the perfect combination of an adventure and doing something for somebody else."

Working with a team of medical doctors, the Indian Red Cross, and master outfitters, the international team of riders traveled with 60 goats and 5 camels and more than 10,000 pounds of medical and educational supplies, averaging 21 miles a day.  The riders stopped at 5 villages along the way.  More than 500 villagers showed up at both Khirod and Danta for free check-ups and medicine.  The RRI medical team consisted of a specialist in Ear Nose and Throat ailments, an Ophthalmologist, a Pediatrics specialist, a Dentist, a Gynecologist and 2 General Physicians.  Such comprehensive care is rare is rural India and villagers arrived early and had traveled significant distances to see the medical team.

In Kochor, riders distributed a variety of educational material and sports supplies, including text books, note books, drawing pads, crayons, pencil holders, globes, maps, carpets, cricket bats, soccer balls, volley balls and nets, and tennis balls.

In Lohargal, 15 families living below the Indian poverty level were selected by the town council and each given 2 goats for milking.  And in Pachar, RRI gave both supplies to the local school and livestock to needy families.

Another aspect to RRI's humanitarian mission was an important HIV/AIDS Awareness campaign offered in conjunction with the Red Cross and India Canada Collaborative HIV/AIDS Project (ICHAP). 

                               

 Outdoor Magazine recognized RRI for its successful aid component, emphasizing the "high point" of the trip "seeing villagers receive knowledge - such as AIDS education - plus food and supplies that they desperately need."

                               

 When the riders weren't "doing something for somebody else" they were traveling through gorgeous territory, with ancient villages and old forts and rich in wildlife.  As New York State interior decorator Karen Cedar noted, "we were riding the most fabulous horses through the most amazing landscape and they were wonderful."
                              

 Along the way riders sampled the region's culinary specialties and experienced some of rural India's unique cultural life.As Alexander Souri declared: "When I created Relief Riders International I never dreamed we would receive such international recognition so soon.  I dreamed of a new way to travel - a chance to see new lands and an opportunity to transform both the visitor and the visited.  I am so honored that Outdoor Magazine appreciated our vision.  And I look forward to our next trips to continue the good work we have just begun."