Saddle up for horse ride aound the world- California cowboy, Ezra Cooley last week kicked off

By Tania Martin
MADELINE Herbert has a new buddy, a Californian cowboy who is travelling the world on horseback to raise cash for sick kids.
The seven-year-old Olinda girl became fast friends with Ezra Cooley during a visit to the United States in April.
Madeline helped Ezra launch the Australian leg of his world trek in Yarra Glen last Tuesday.
He plans to ride from Melbourne to Sydney on his trusty steed to raise cash for sick kids.
The Californian cowboy began his trek across the world on horseback in April 2006.
Ezra said his journey was inspired by his family but mostly by his dad.
They were talking one day about ‘crazy’ things like riding across the globe and the idea stuck.
“It stayed in my heart and mind,” Ezra said.
He sold everything he owned including his house.
But Ezra did keep two horses, a saddle and a few sentimental items.
Who would believe 13,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean, Ezra’s connection with his Aussie tour would live in a little town called Olinda.
After hearing about the cowboy’s adventures from an aunt in the United States, Madeline insisted she had to meet him. While in America on holiday, Madeline had the chance to meet Ezra.
They appeared on her aunty Jenni’s radio show together and hit it off.
Madeline recalled saying ‘G’day mate’ and ‘howdy partner’ to the cowboy.
Ezra has alreadmy raised more than $10,000 in the United States for sick kids, but his ultimate goal is to raise $1 million across the world.
Nothing has deterred this modern day hero, not riding through sweltering 120 degree temperatures or freezing in one of Oklahoma’s biggest ice-storm in history.
Ezra is well known in the US for riding through the streets of Manhattan and down Wall Street.
Once Ezra finishes his tour of Australia he will sail to New Zealand to finish his journey.
He then hopes to finish his horseback world tour in Europe.