Best of America by Horseback has been broadcast weekly on RFD-TV since 2006. Hosted each week by outdoorsman Tom Seay and cowboy singer, songwriter, and poet, Del Shields, this weekly series captures the beauty of America by horseback. Best of America by Horseback is a top quality television show that features trail riders scenic locations they can visit and incorporates informative and educational information about the location’s trail’s, camping and lodging facilities, amenities, history, additional activities to participate in while visiting, as well as featuring quality equine related products.
Tom Seay calls himself the “average trail rider” who loves the outdoors. He has owned horses since he was 5 years old. Tom has traveled America, taking people on overnight horseback vacations for nineteen years as a professional outfitter. Before Best of America by Horseback, Tom and Pat Seay had been in the television business for many years during the infancy of the cable television business, but took a break from the fast paced, stressful life of running a television station so they could get back to their other love of horseback riding. They enjoyed taking guests on day and overnight trips by horseback. They both missed producing television shows, but loved traveling and riding their horses all over the country too. So, the concept of this unique series was developed to combine both interests. They knew RFD-TV would be the best channel to reach the most horse owners and lovers of the outdoors.
Del Shields is a true cowboy. Growing up and still living in the Midwest he works cattle on horseback, trains horses and also did some rodeo bronc riding in his younger years. Del’s passion is writing and performing music about the cowboy way of life. Del co-hosts the show with Tom and writes many of the songs used in the television series.
Tom invites viewers to join him on many show locations. Tom loves to talk with other trail riders about their experiences. “While interviewing people on the show, Tom has a way of getting into their heart and soul, capturing the real essence of their love of horses and the outdoors” says Pat Seay, Tom’s wife and co-producer. “There is a common thread among trail riders which includes a love of the land, nature and this magnificent country. This comes through over and over again when guests are interviewed on the show.”
A common comment the producers receive from viewers is that they love Best of America by Horseback so much because we feature locations that they can actually visit, unlike other television programs that feature destinations they can only “dream about” visiting. Their cameras capture the unique and scenic features that make each riding destination different. Tom and Del talk with the owners/managers of each location so they can give viewers all the information needed to plan their own visit. They also introduce local riders who share their favorite trails, vistas and activities to do and see. Tom rides the trails at each location to display the terrain, footing, and the difficulty level of the trails. He shows you the access to the camping area, if it is adequate for larger rigs and what each facility offers, such as electric or water hook-ups or primitive camping.
Best of America by Horseback also features educational and informative segments about planning trips and traveling with horses, spotlights on products for horses and riders, and music from talented artists all over the country. Best of America by Horseback prides itself in showing its viewers quality products by great companies. The “Product Spotlight” segment showcases products available for trail riders and their horses, their ranch or farm and even their rigs, highlighting what each product is designed to do, how to assemble and how it operates.
Best of America by Horseback’s unique online Trail Riders club, provides its members a wide variety of benefits ranging from ride discounts, advance ride registrations, promotions and prize give-aways from their sponsors, member’s online forum and chat, monthly newsletters and more. Riders of all breeds and styles are invited to join and can easily sign up at www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com by clicking on “Trail Club.”
Best of America by Horseback is delighted to be America’s favorite trail riding TV show and we welcome all suggestions and trail riding recommendations.