Alison Griffiths Interview

 

It may be the ultimate iconic image of the west - a horse, perhaps a Mustang, running wild and free, its strength and grace without doubt, its sense of being at home and at the same time an integral piece of the environment, clear.

Almost 40 years ago, in 1971, the U.S. Congress declared that the mustang were "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West, which continue to contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people."

But odds are that if Velma Johnston hadn't been driving down a road to Reno from her ranch, The LazyDouble Hearts, and noticed a bit of blood dripping from a truck in front of her...most if not all the wild horses in Western North America would have been hunted to extinction.

The story of Velma Johnston, aka Wild Horse Annie, a nickname intended as an insult by her enemies that quickly turned into a affectionate appelation; is remarkable in a number of ways. And not just in the sense of one woman deciding to change the way the world viewed horses and despite incredible odds succeeding. It is a tale that inspires, facinates and continues to reverberate some 33 years after Velma's death.

So it only makes sense that telling Annie's tale would appeal to Canada's best selling writing duo David Cruise and Allison Griffiths. Together the two of them have written ten booksdealing with everything from crime and biography to history and fiction. But most importantly for this project they are horse lovers, a character trait that would have endeared them to Velma Johnston. Wild Horse Annie: The Last of the Mustangs has just been published.

Alison Griffiths was in our Toronto Studios.

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