Two continents, 12 countries, eight years

On July 3, 2020, Filipe Masetti Leite (RSJ’10) rode into Calgary’s Stampede grounds as honorary Parade Marshal, completing an eight-year journey through the Americas on horseback.  Despite the fact that the parade and stampede were cancelled due to the Covid crisis, it marked a homecoming for Masetti, who began his trek in 2012 by departing from the Calgary Stampede towards Brazil.

“This is an incredible fit as this story began eight years ago at the Stampede Centennial and ends after more than 26,000 kms back to where it all started,” said Calgary Stampede president Dana Peers.

Masetti rode on horseback from July 2012 until finally arriving at the largest rodeo in Latin America in August of 2014, in his hometown of Barretos in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, following the first leg of his long-ride journey, Masetti began to realize that his mental health was deteriorating.

“After my first trip I had PTSD, I had lived through a lot. I had witnessed a husband trying to kill his wife, my horses almost died, and I almost died. When the trip was done, I had lost my purpose. I had lived a life-long dream, so what was next?” said Masetti.

Masetti’s purpose was renewed following a visit to Barreto’s Children’s Cancer Hospital where he was inspired to continue his long-ride journey and raise funds for the hospital.

“I went to do a motivational speech in the hospital and seeing these kids who had lost their limbs and hair but were still fighting with smiles on faces, made me realize that what I was going through was nothing in comparison. It made me want to raise funds for the hospital and raise awareness about early detection in children. It gave me purpose,” Masetti said.

In April 2017, Masetti set off with his horses again on another long-ride trip. This time Masetti left from Barretos and arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost point in South America, in July 2018. After riding through all of South America, Masetti felt compelled to ride through North America to finish his journey. In May 2019, Masetti began the final leg of his journey from Fairbank, Alaska to the Calgary Stampede.

“He is living proof that Stampede Parade Marshals don’t just lead a parade; they exemplify western heritage, values and culture,” said Peers.

Masetti believes that western culture made him into the man he is today and is proud to represent its values.

“I am who I am thanks to western culture and I am so thankful that I was brought up by a dad who wore cowboy boots and made us stand out. From a young age you learn about responsibility and the love for animals because you wake up early to feed your horse. “[Cowboys] are judged and misunderstood, but we have respect for nature. We know to keep rivers clean because our animals need to drink from that water. There is a connection to the earth. I feel blessed to be able to represent our culture and bring it to people across the world as a journalist and as a writer now,” said Masetti.

Currently, Masetti has a documentary out about his journey, two books, as well as a third book and a feature film in production. He believes his time at RSJ prepared him to be able to tell his story.

“My time at Ryerson allowed me to put this project together, document it and write for Toronto Star. It gave me all the tools and knowledge I needed to pull this impossible dream off. The professors work hard to make sure you hit the ground running after graduation which is what happened to me. I am blessed to have studied at Ryerson, it is simply the best journalism school in the country,” Masetti said.

After twelve countries and eight years, Masetti believes his journey has taught him about himself.

“This journey has taught me that my own limit is much further than I imagined, I can endure way more than I thought. It has taught me who Filipe is because when you go days without talking to anyone else you end up talking to yourself. We are used to being connected to others in some way, shape or form, it doesn’t allow for internal conversation. Being by myself made me talk to myself, it gave me a sense of who I really am,” he said.

Masetti also believes his journeys have given him an incredible opportunity as a journalist to interact with people from all walks of life.

“We are all inherently the same. When you travel by horseback you need to ask for help everyday, it is not like a car or bicycle, you need to find shoes, water, hay, sometimes even a vet. I had the tremendous opportunity to have dinner with politicians, drug lords and ranch hands. When you are in those homes, you’re sitting with these people and you realize we all want to love and be loved and want the best for our families. You can change the bank account, religion, nationality but we are all the same,” said Masetti.

Masetti’s second book, Long Ride to the End of the World (external link) , is out now.

He previously wrote an account for Ryerson Today and was featured as an RSJ Grad at Work.