~ We Have Our Winners ~
The story went like this….
These four stellar equestrianists raced tooth and nail. They used their expert horsemanship to bond with every spicy steed the luck-of-the-draw could give them. They used various tactical strategies to try and usurp each other to maintain the lead. They battled extreme weather and terrain over 1,000kms of everything wild Mongolia could throw at them.
They took shelter with the most caring nomadic families of the steppe.
In the end, Michael Pollard (USA) ended up delayed due to a slower horse with the final stretch insight, all thought the other three would keep to the uber competitive tone they’ve displayed- clearly coming to the longest & toughest horse race in THE WORLD to not just compete but to win it!
As it looked like the race for the win would be between the trio Khalifia Al Hamed (UAE) + Anna Boden (UK) + Eissa Al Khayari (UAE). They were neck and neck down the home stretch and looked across at each other and decided that they would wait for fellow competitor Michael and cross the finish with him together honoring the fight these four gave in an epic battle to win.
They reunioned with Michael and crossed the finish line together in a 4-way tie for first! Representing not only each other’s personal achievement but also their home countries: USA + UAE + UK.
Please let’s all take the time to wish these amazing Equestrianists a massive congratulations!!
Images by Kathy Gabriel
#MongolDerby
Stay tuned we will be doing lives of everyone who crosses the finish line!
Ps. Apply for one of our races: equestrianists.com
Our other 'World's Toughest Horse Race'
Many of you are already die hard Mongol Derby fans, but do you know we've continued our 'World Series' of adventure horse racing with the Gaucho Derby down in Argentine Patagonia?
Our sister race to the Mongol Derby, the Gaucho Derby is approximately 500km long (roughly 310 miles.). The course spans across the foothills and high mountain passes of the Andes. This is a land rich in the history of both the Tehuelche Indians and the legendary Gauchos. Many competitors follow in the footsteps of the local Gauchos and some even make use of their cabins and shepherd routes along the course. Racers thunder across the ancient hunting grounds of the Tehuelche people as well, and some have even found arrow heads by their campsites.
Competitors have an average of 7 horses the entire race. These equine partners range from big Percheron drafts to the smaller traditional Criollos and even some arab/thoroughbred mixes. These horses are either working ranch horses or competitors in the regional Aparte Camperos (if you don't know what that is, google it, it's pretty impressive). Racers must reach and clear a series of veterinarian checks along the course in order to continue. This is the ultimate test of horsemanship, it's not how fast you go but how well you look after your equine partner.
Applications are open for future editions of the Gaucho Derby, you can follow the link below to apply:
/gaucho-derby/
#GauchoDerby
Photos by @kathy_gabriel_
We are proud to partner with the incredible @intrepidmedics for our Mongol Derby.
When not responding to emergencies across the steppe, they offer a helping hand to our nomadic herding families.
Монгол Дэрби уралдааны гайхалтай нэгэн хамтрагч болох @intrepidmedics эмнэлгийн багтай хамтран ажилдагтаа бид бахархдаг.
Яаралтай түргэн тусламж дуудах боломжгүй үед энэ багийнхан маань тал нутгийн малчин өрхүүдэд тусламж үзүүлдэг.
#MongolDerby
Photo by: @BayarsaihanOchiroo
The Mongol Derby enlists the horsepower of over 1,500 Mongolian horses. These don't come from one family alone, they come from over 500 herders across the steppe.
These are their champions and our riders are very much lucky for the opportunity to partner with them as they tackle the wilds.
Монгол Дерби уралдаанд 1500 гаруй Монгол морьд оролцдог. Эдгээр морьд нь ганц айлынх биш харин талын нутгийн 500 гаруй малчдын хүлэг юм.
Уяа сойлго нь таарсан эдгээр шандаст хүлгүүдийн хамт тал нутгаар давхин уралдах унаачид тун азтай.
Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports #horseracing #mongolia #horseadventure #MongolDerby #mongolderby #theequestrianists
Out here on the steppe, you'll see no barns nor fences. Here, horses live as nature intended- wild and free.
To catch your horse is a skill all its own.
Тал нутгаас та морины хашаа саравч олохгүй. Энд морьд байгалийн жам ёсоороо эрх чөлөөтэй амьдардаг.
Photo by @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports
#mongolderby
Nomads were not only using saddle for daily chores but also to show their social status and wealth. Therefore, parents used to give a new tailor made saddle to their daughters for a wedding gift.
Нүүдэлчдийн хувьд эмээл нь өдөр тутмын хэрэглээнээс гадна гоёл чимэглэл, тухайн хүний бэл бэнчинг илтгэдэг байна. Иймд охиноо бэр болоход бэлэг болгож шинэ эмээл хийлгэж өгдөг уламжлалтай байв.
📸 Babi Photography #MongolDerby #Mongolia #mongolderby #equestrianstyle
The Mongol Derby isn't just a horse race, it's a wild adventure unmatched across the world.
Sam Jones had the amazing happenstance and during last year's race as she was chasing down fellow competitor Missy Morgan who held the lead, she made camp with a beautiful Shaman family. They invited her into their home and she slept beneath their ritual tools and clothing.
Shamanism, also known as Tengrism, is an ancient religion among central Asian nomads, that emphasizes living in harmony with nature.
Photo credit: kathy_gabriel_
#mongolderby2024
Tvwsjinjargal pauses for a moment after catching one of our Mongol Derby rider’s horses.
His orange Hurem (jacket) is adorn with tumen-ulzii, a Mongolian symbol meaning to have a blessed and healthy eternal life. A symbol with no beginning and no end.
#MongolDerby
📸 @erikcooperadventurist
Rider Tiffany Atteberry on competing in the Mongol Derby:
"I have never been so challenged physically and mentally. Looking back....I loved every minute. I loved the being able to feel so many emotions over the course of a day. I don't think anyone comes out of that race the same as they go into it. You leave with a complete appreciation of the horse. And you are grateful for so many more things in life in general."
Би өмнө нь хэзээ ч ингэж бие махбод болон сэтгэлзүйн хүнд сорилтод орж байгаагүй. Гэхдээ эргээд харахад тэдгээр хором мөч бүрд би сэтгэл хангалуун байна. Нэг өдөрт олон янзын сэтгэл хөдлөлийг мэдэрч байсандaa би баяртай байна. Гараанаас гарахад байсан шигээ огт өөрчлөгдөлгүй барианд орж ирдэг хүн гэж үгүй байх. Чи чин сэтгэлээсээ морьдыг хайрлаж, тэдэнд талархдаг болно. Мөн амьдралдаа байгаа илүү олон зүйлийн үнэ цэнийг ойлгож, талархана.
Photos by @sharileet
2022 Mongol Derby Competitor Jess Di Pasquale on having the privilege of riding this rocket:
"I remember this horse well! He had a massive heart and loved to gallop! The way that this horse flew across the steppe was absolutely exhilarating, I could feel his muscles contracting, ready to explode forward, underneath me with every hoof fall!
He was the second horse that I rode in Mongolia on the day before the race started, when this photo was taken I was just about to roar up behind Natalie Bell yakeying and swinging my goat rein (hence my cheeky grin) which ended in both horses launching into a flat out race and Natalie and I crying with laughter!
I think the biggest thing that surprised me about, just about every horse that I rode was, no matter how wild they were, they were so responsive and willing to give you everything they had. I worked out pretty quick that the best way to get the best out of the horses was to ride like a Mongolian! I spent a fair amount of time observing the way they rode and then replicating that as much as possible, if any of my horses weren’t responding to me it was because I’d lapses into my normal style of riding."
#MongolDerby
Photo by @Sharileet
Chris Walker and Patrick Heffron gave our dot watchers a run for their money during the 2022 July race as they famously lead for a majority of the race.
Here's some words from Chris on what the race was like for him:
The race was hard and we had some of the highest highs and lowest lows you can encounter in life, both mentally and physically. But. All in all it was the most fun I've ever had with my teammate Patrick. Having someone who is like-minded as a partner makes it so much more enjoyable and it keeps you going and pushing hard. We created a bond that will last a lifetime and are the best of buddies.
My favorite part of doing the derby, outside of the competitiveness of it was staying with nomadic families. It was such an insight into their lives which is so different to ours, they were such generous and hospitable people to us who were complete strangers.
#MongolDerby
Photos by: @sharileet
Emmelia Potts rolling into camp in style after her horse ran back to HS5 during the night while she was camping out between HS5-HS6 … She hustled herself a random herder who kindly offered her a lift back to HS5.
Photo credit: @kathy_gabriel_
Унаач Эммилиа Поттс маань урд шөнө 5 болон 6-р өртөөний дунд хээр хоноглож байхад морь нь алдуурчээ... Өглөө нь унаач маань сайхан сэтгэлтэй адуучинтай таарч, 5-р морин өртөөн дээр тун чиг дэгжин орж ирлээ.
