Eduardo Discoli is riding his horse around the world.

Don Quixote lives!

How cool is this?

(Eduardo Discoli, center, joins the fray in a Sunday match at the Strasburg Polo Club.)






Eduardo Discoli is a self-proclaimed gaucho -- a South American cowboy whose roaming heart is wandering into pastures more vast than he ever expected.

Though Discoli has spent the last four years traveling around the world on horseback, the affable man layered in turquoise necklaces had more than ample energy Sunday to stop in at the Strasburg Polo Club for a match.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Discoli began his journey in July 2001, but he has dreamt about it since he was 6 years old.

A former lawyer who auctioned property in Buenos Aires, Discoli also was a soybean farmer. Although he's had many different jobs, Discoli always has identified himself as a horseman.

"I was many things many years ago. But I have always been a horseman," Discoli said in strained English.

Fellow Argentinean Ricardo Beccaglia of Maryland recently met Discoli and traveled to Strasburg to watch him play and to serve as a translator.

Beccaglia said it's an honor to have met Discoli.

"I had to catch up with this guy," Beccaglia said, "to see somebody actually making history."

So far, Discoli has traveled through South America, Mexico and 12 states and plans to travel to Canada, Europe and Africa before returning home to Buenos Aires. He calculates that his trip around the world will take another 4 years.

Discoli, who has three mustangs and a Spanish purebred, travels on one horse while leading the others. It's a monumental undertaking that Discoli knows wouldn't be possible without support.

One supporter is Alison Gieschen of Swedesboro, N.J., who has been hosting Discoli at her home for the last 11 days. "‚Gieschen, who is a horse vaulting coach, invited Discoli to her local polo club after Gieschen's sister told her Discoli had just traveled through her hometown state of South Carolina by police escort.

Sherry Beiler, part owner of Strasburg Polo Club, learned of Discoli's journey through a polo magazine and called Gieschen. It all came together on Sunday as Beiler watched Discoli gallop across the field.

"I think it's an honor for Lancaster County to have him here," Beiler said. "I couldn't imagine doing what he's doing. It sounds like a trying life."

At 53, Discoli admitted he has aches and pains, but his passion for riding horses overrides any obstacle has met.

Some of those obstacles would have easily dampened another's drive. Discoli has been robbed three times, been detained at the Mexico/U.S. border and slid about 70 feet on a crumbling mountain road.

But, overall, Discoli considers himself blessed. The sun-drenched man with shoulder-length, wind-blown hair and deep black sideburns said, "It's been very good. I've been lucky in my travels."

While being a cowboy may seem like a lonely existence, Discoli said he has made lifelong friends who are making this dream come true.

Discoli relies solely on money for his journey from people he meets along his trip. He's especially found support in polo communities who network with other polo clubs to raise money for him.

"Many people help me," Discoli said, "I have many mothers." One of those beloved mothers, Gieschen, called Discoli a hero."

So many athletes now are obsessed with money," Gieschen said. "He's got old-time hero status. It's not about fame or money. It's about the journey and purpose about realizing a dream. He has so much resolve."

While riding through Washington, D.C., Discoli definitely was noticed. "People get up for me," Discoli said.

Whether Discoli thinks of himself as a hero or not, people in his native Argentina do. News of his journey even reached Argentinean ambassador Lino Gutierrez, who phoned Gieschen and thanked her for hosting Discoli and invited Gieschen and her family to his home in Washington in late September.

After spending a few more days in New Jersey, Discoli will travel to Cortland, N.Y., and then to Canada. Right now Gieschen and others are trying to find a way to get Discoli and his horses to Europe.

Gieschen said she will try to arrange a trip, perhaps through the military, which would transport the horses for about $2,000.

Jennifer Buck of Delaware has a horse farm and said she will support Discoli every step of the way.

"I think it's amazing that anyone this day and age can do this and believe that you're going to be OK," Buck said. "It's very inspiring, very cool."

When his adventure is over, Discoli will return to Argentina, but he isn't reining in his mount just yet. Discoli said he plans to write a book and return to the United States and distribute it to everyone that helped him achieve his dream. It's because of them, Discoli said, motioning above his head, his journey so far has been "way up here." (Thanks to Lancaster Online for the heads up.)

La buena suerte, señor Discoli, y puede Dios bendecirle y proteger en su viaje. (Thank goodness for Babel Fish!)