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Cowgirl Back On Trail To Texas

News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON

Donna Byrne rides her horse, Jay, and has Tonto carry her belongings as she rides along U.S. 301.

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By LINDSAY PETERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 17, 2009

Traveling cowgirl Donna Byrne is back on the road today after two-day's rest in Bushnell.

"She and her horses were tired," said Cindi Perugino, of Southern Nights Farm, where Byrne stayed on Sunday and Monday nights. But they were replenished and on their way to Wildwood on U.S. 301 this morning.

"So far, so good," said Barbara Mackenzie of the Suncoast chapter of Cowboys for Christ, who is working with Perugino to coordinate Byrne's horseback trek to Ocala, then Texas, more than 900 miles west.

Two weeks ago, Byrne set out from Arcadia after losing her job on a small ranch and realizing that opportunities in the area were slim. She'd always wanted to go to Texas, she said, so she packed up one of her horses with about 100 pounds of her belongings, saddled up the other one, Jay, and set out.

She used to drive a truck she said, but lost her license after getting too many tickets. Her horses are her only way to go.

Perugino and Mackenzie, both horse owners, heard about Byrne's journey as she passed through Hillsborough County last week, and they went searching to give her help. They are among dozens of people, concerned for Byrne and her horses, who have offered everything from money to rides to jobs across the country.

Byrne has declined them all. "I appreciate the offers," she said on Saturday. "But mostly my goal is to make this ride. ... I want to be able to say I made it."

"It's just awesome, it really touches my heart how many people are being so sweet," Mackenzie said.

Byrne plans to stay on a local family's property in Wildwood, Mackenzie said, but she's looking for someone in Belleview to host Byrne after that. She's not looking for anything luxurious. She has her own blankets and tent.

Her next stop after that will be Ocala, where she knows people and hopes to find a few days' work. Several people have tried to talk her into staying in Ocala, but she won't budge from her Texas goal.

As Byrne gets further from Central Florida, Mackenzie said, she and Perugino will have a tougher time finding her places to stay.

"I am concerned she is going to come to area's were there is no feed or hay within 50-60 miles," Perugino said in an email.

Byrne insists she'll be all right. She's carrying two to three days' worth of horse feed. "I can take care of myself and these horses."

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