Why These French Filmmakers Rode Three Horses from Kyrgyzstan to Mont Blanc

In 2024, filmmakers Ashley Parsons and Quentin Boehm embarked on an extraordinary seven-month, 2,500-kilometer journey, guiding three horses from the distant lands of Kyrgyzstan via Poland back to their home at the foot of Mont Blanc in France. Their adventure, documented on instagram and in the film Le Sabot Montagnard wasn't just about covering ground; it’s a testament to their deep connection with the animals, the landscapes and people they encountered.

Driven by a fascination with the legendary Silk Road and a deep passion for horseback travel—sparked by their treks through Albania—Parsons and Boehm first visited Kyrgyzstan in 2021. At a bustling local market, they acquired three stallions, Tian, Fidel, and Chai, who they rode for 1,600 kilometers through the country. Over the course of the journey, the horses became far more than mere transportation; they became trusted companions, shaping the very essence of their adventure.

When the two finished their time in the country and retuned home to France, Parsons and Boehm left the horses in the care of a trusted farmer. They made a film about the journey, “En Selle: The Kyrgyz Ride”, but couldn’t stop thinking about their horses. The thoughts turned to concerns when they learned the horses’ new ward was facing financial hardship and could no longer look after hardship. Parsons and Boehm became determined to bring them to France, ensuring they get a peaceful retirement.

This mission sparked a second horseback adventure in 2024 over the course of seven months. First, the horses were transported to Poland by truck. From there, Ashley and Quentin set off on a remarkable trek, crossing Slovakia, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland before finally reaching Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, at the foothills of Mont Blanc.

Unsurprisingly, the pair filmed this journey too, under their En Selle series of documentary projects. The new movie Le Sabot Montagnard is being screened at film festivals throughout the summer, and should become available to watch worldwide soon. I recently had the chance to speak with Ashley to hear about the experience of traveling through the incredible landscape and its diverse cultures, as well as the challenges that come with filming your trips. Here, a condensed and edited version of our conversation.

How did you prepare for the 2,500 km journey?

Transporting horses from Kyrgyzstan to Europe took years of planning due to complex regulations and costs for vaccinations, vet checks, and quarantine procedures. We started preparing in 2023, and also developed a new film proposal, looked for sponsors, and launched a crowdfunding campaign. By late March 2024, our finances were secured, and incredibly, just two days before we left, we even landed a TV deal for the film.

Sadly, we lost Tian, our cherished companion, upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan. It was as if he waited to bid us farewell. We then trucked Chai and Fidel to Poland – since it’s too complex to cross Kazakhstan’s desert by horse, and navigate Russian and Lebanese visa issues and border crossings. At the end of May, our horseback journey truly commenced from Poland, where we also bought a new horse named Brando to join our team.

You went all over Europe, did you notice a difference in how people reacted to you in different countries?

We didn't notice vast cultural divides in Europe. Generally, people were curious about our endeavor – though not in Kyrgyzstan, where horseback travel is common. What truly touched us was the hospitality we encountered. A spirit of helpfulness seemed to weave through the mountain regions, from the Slovakian Carpathians to the Swiss Alps. People just understood what our horses needed, offering a place to rest as readily as a warm greeting. Asking for permission to camp was almost always met with a 'yes.'

Along the way, certain individuals left a lasting impression. In a Swiss alpine meadow, we found a kindred spirit in a shepherd. Later, a Tyrolean farmer offered us his alpine hut, a generous gesture. This human kindness was the biggest surprise of the entire journey. Initially, our film had been envisioned as a search for the untamed corners of Europe. However, as we journeyed beyond the Carpathians, we realized that these mountain regions were more cultivated than we had imagined. This realization pushed us to shift our focus towards the connections we made along the way.

Balancing the demands of travel, caring for horses and filming must have been a challenge. How did you manage it all practically?

We were running two expeditions simultaneously: the journey itself and documenting it. We aimed for efficient shooting. Once we had captured a campfire scene, for instance, we wouldn't film any more campfires. We also followed a loose script, so we knew beforehand what footage we needed. The people you see in the film were individuals we had researched and contacted when nearby. This didn't make the connections any less genuine; it simply meant we allocated more time for those planned interactions. On filming days, we'd typically cover very little ground with the horses.

This means we didn’t film spontaneous encounters because it would have been too complicated. If someone invited us for a meal, we wouldn't have the beginning of that interaction on camera, and we didn’t want to restage such a moment. There were plenty of those encounters, but they were all done off-camera. They were purely for us.

After seven months, arriving back home must have been an emotional moment. What were you feeling like after such an extended period on the road?

It’s a question we’re often asked, but the truth is, we finished our journey in the middle of December 2024 and immediately faced a tight seven-week TV deadline for the film. There wasn't much time for a sentimental slump. Even now, we're often traveling for film festivals, rarely sleeping more than four nights at home. However, maintaining spending time outdoors is non-negotiable. Living by the mountains, I love alpinism, cross-country skiing, trail running, and mountain biking – not so much purely for exercise, but as a way to stay connected with nature through movement.

Looking back on this adventure, what are the most significant takeaways for you?

The journey mainly underscored how disconnected we are from nature in Western Europe. The lack of space for wild animals and ecosystems was a major point of reflection for us. On a more positive note, the warmth of the people in rural and mountainous areas was truly inspiring.

Furthermore, I've gained a new perspective on my own surroundings, literally. Even though I've lived in this village in France for a long time, experiencing it on horseback offers a completely different viewpoint. Sitting higher up, I see farms from a new angle, and I can't take familiar footpaths if they are too narrow or have ladders, things I wouldn't normally consider. Traveling with a horse undeniably allows me to experience my home in an entirely different way.

Le Sabot Montagnard is currently being screened at European film festivals, with potential online availability to follow. Their first film, En Selle: The Kyrgyz Ride, is already available to watch on YouTube. For further details, visit www.enselle.voyage or follow @enselle.voyage on Instagram.