Patriotic Posse Heads to New York

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Trainer Les Nichols will be leading the simple life for a simple cause for the next few months. Nichols is riding from San Antonio, Texas, to Ground Zero in New York City to raise money for the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Widows & Children's Fund. He left his home in Celeste, Texas, in late October, and so far, has ridden more than 270 miles to the Dallas area.

Nichols' traveling companions are his 10-year-old Thoroughbred, J. J.'s Cowboy, and his border collie Posse. Together they make friends at every stop. If they meet the goal of raising more than $2 million for families of firefighters and police officers affected by the Sept. 11 attacks, they'll literally have friends from Texas to New York.

"I felt like it was time to ante up," said the 41-year-old cowboy. "I just want to do one good thing in my life."

Nichols is visiting firehouses in towns large and small. He also stopped at Retama Park and Lone Star Park. He doesn't have a caravan or a formal escort, and didn't even pack food for J. J.'s Cowboy, but he said he's received everything he's needed. Firefighters or police officers often accompany him and stop traffic, and they pass his horse's feed (donated by local companies) from town to town. He has a cell phone to stay in touch with family, and he has J. J.'s Cowboy and Posse to keep him going.

"The horse and the dog do more than I do," he said.

Matt Gilliam keeps Nichols' Web site up-to-date. Nichols' family sends money so he doesn't travel with too much cash, and Diamond Cut Jeans keep him in jeans and shirts. But the right attitude originates with Nichols.

Nichols grew up hearing about local hero Audie Murphy, the most decorated American combat soldier in WWII. He said he was always interested in joining the military, but the loss of an eye made that impossible.

"I wanted the chance to do my part and to be denied that was always a bitter pill," he said. "So I decided this time, come hell or high water, I'd do it. And I've had high water-I caught eight inches of rain in one day outside Belton. I'm still pouring water out of my ears!"

Even waterlogged, Nichols kept moving, telling everyone about his three fundraising methods. First he had Jim Taylor create a patriotic saddle that will be raffled at the end of the ride. He is passing out 200,000 $5 tickets to firemen to buy or sell, with all proceeds going to the Firefighters' 9-11 Fund.

Second, any donations will benefit the Patrolmen's Association--some are by-the-mile pledges, some are simply gifts. Third, Nichols is soliciting artwork for an auction in New York at the end of his ride. The group of paintings and sculptures is growing, and Nichols will include any items he collects along the way (he said many cowboys have donated spurs).

When Nichols set out for New York, he was at a crossroads in his career. His main client recently passed away, and most of his new clients' horses will just be ready for training this spring. Nichols is looking forward to returning to those babies, but not until he finishes this task.

"I'll just go back out to the country and do what I do," he said. "Riding and raising babies and looking for the big horse. I know he's coming; I have no doubt." Who knows--it could be J. J.'s Cowboy. Nichols said if he finds the right race in New York, he might run his companion in a turf event.

- Nichols' site with updates: www.americanposse.org.
- The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association is at http:// www.nycpba.org/ or 40 Fulton Street, New York, N.Y. 10038-1850; (212) 233-5531.
- The firefighters' fund is: New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 65858, Washington, D.C. 20035-5858 or http://daily.iaff.org/fund.htm.

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