Gaucho Derby 2026 – Race Day 10 – Cheese Graters. Party Shirts.

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Stevie Delahunt
28th February 2026

Welcome back to the final day of the Gaucho Derby! So let’s get right into it! The Gaucho Grannies galloped gleefully in today with NBR in tow and these three stole our hearts and the show and a joint 33rd place to boot.

Not to be outdone on a dramatic finish, GHE with fellow riders ODU and ACA made sure one transpired. Upon the relief of crossing the line GHE collapsed off of his horse onto the ground having crunched some ribs previously underneath his horse. He can’t laugh or hug or, well, breathe easily but he secures the joint 36th place well within the ten day time limit with a finish with his mates around noon today. 6 hours to spare! Now if only he had some spare ribs...

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https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-race-day-10-cheese-graters-party-shirts/

Malaysia: EAM banks on endurance 'horse power' to deliver SEA Games glory

Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) honorary secretary Datuk Major (Rtd) Yap Mou Soon (Left), seen here with president Mohamad Din Mat, said that the Association is expecting national riders to win at least six gold medals at the Malaysia SEA Games next year.

NST.com.my - Full Article

By Fadhli Ishak
March 3, 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: The Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) is expecting national riders to win at least six gold medals at the Malaysia SEA Games next year.

EAM honorary secretary Datuk Major (Rtd) Yap Mou Soon believes this is a realistic goal as they are planning to include endurance riding events to the Malaysia SEA Games programme.

This comes as no surprise as Malaysia has world-class riders in the discipline.

"The equestrian squad has always brought home medals when competing abroad and we hope to do the same when we compete on home soil next year," said Mou Soon today (Feb 3).

"Our key performance indicator (KPI) for the Malaysia SEA Games is to win six gold medals for the country.

"Our strategy is to add events in which we are strong in, most notably the endurance riding events...

Read more here:
https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/03/1388992/eam-banks-endurance-horse-power-deliver-sea-games-glory

Gaucho Derby 2026 – Race Day 9 – Wind Returns. Emotional Finishes.

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Stevie Delahunt
27th February 2026

The wind is back today and so is a majority of the field. We started the day with the 15th place rider tie between AMC JDO and LST into a secure finish. The finish line flags were at full throttle which made the horses engage full breaks. Nevertheless these girls got their mounts across in one last trail riding challenge and managed to pass the vet check with ease as well. AMC wanted to bring her finish line ride home with her and the two spent some good cuddle time after he came in at an admirable 46bpm...

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https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-race-day-9-wind-returns-emotional-finishes/

Gaucho Derby 2026 – Race Day 8 – Full Send. Winners Crowned.

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Stevie Delahunt
26th February 2026

Yeeeehawww!!! If you were anywhere near that finish line today you either lost your voice, your mind, or both. Fourteen riders are in and what a wild ride it has been. With twenty seven riders still out there living their best cinematic adventure the fourteen who made it home have done their mates proud and given the world a show complete with suspense, plot twists, and questionable life choices.

Our top five riders came screaming in like they had somewhere important to be, throwing caution to the wind and gambling hard on passing the extremely low heart rate ruling we have set. It was less calculated endurance strategy and more riverboat poker with a stopwatch.

It’s been reported that when SWA and HMC decided to pump the gas to the line everyone locked eyes and collectively thought, “well here we go!” No one wanted to pull up and concede the lead but all were very aware they were about to bet their entire finish on a pulse check...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-race-day-8-full-send-winners-crowned/

Gaucho Derby – Race Day 7 – Six Strong. One Shot.

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Stevie Delahunt
25th February 2026

Ooooh, is this ever shaping up to be a photo finish. Thanks to a diabolical alignment of hold times and a healthy number of riders hitting it like the brick wall that it is, the front pack is about to be dropped into an even start gate. That’s right, folks. All six riders at the sharp end of the field are spending the night together and will launch at the gun at 8am sharp our time. If there were ever a night for obsessive map staring, second guessing, and ruthless gear trimming, this is it. One has to wonder how many layers and bits of luggage quietly disappear tonight in the name of horse speed.

We can already imagine professional sailor, navigator, 2023 Mongol Derby finisher, and Tevis Cup finisher LJO doing exactly that. Or perhaps professional steeplechaser SWA will remind us all of his prime jockey skills, alongside teammate ASL, who comes from a long line of racehorse fanatics and has been casually demonstrating those jockey instincts all week long.

Then there is 2022 Mongol Derby veteran HMC, who took a nasty tumble in the 2024 Gaucho Derby. After returning home with busted ribs and punctured lungs, his daughter reportedly said, “Whenever we fell off you made us get back on and finish. You didn’t finish.” And so here he is. Not just finishing, but absolutely crushing this race...

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https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-race-day-7-six-strong-one-shot/

Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 6 – Weather Turns. Race Ignites.

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Stevie Delahunt
23rd February 2026

The constant winds have finally brought some change.
In the weather.
And in the leaderboard.

And in morale.

Today the relentless rage of the Patagonian gods delivered wind with a side of rain and a generous helping of hail, and, we hear, the only clap of thunder to rumble across the pampas in years! Riders were oh so very excited to test their rain gear and also notch things up a gear as they tumbled out of the delightful mountains and forests. At least the dust got wiped off of their smiling faces.

Our original leading three, ASL, VBU, and SWA, tore away from the pack, but disaster struck yet again when a heart rate penalty entered the chat. The nuances of the course and shifting locations along the route have had the front running packs trading places back and forth, but it now appears LJO, RTO, HMC, and VBU are breaking away and properly going for it. But more on that in a moment...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-6-weather-turns-race-ignites/

Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 5 – Down, But Not Out.

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Stevie Delahunt
23rd February 2026

These kids are alright. It’s been just five days since they all graduated start camp and cantered off. They grow up so fast. And on race day five it appears our graduates are stepping up and taking the reins or just stepping down; and we mean down but not out! In the past we’ve watched all sorts of professional horsemen (and just plain professionals) taken out by these horses, this terrain and the race course itself. But these riders are impressing us! Day five and we’ve had our first two transition into Adventure category but every last one of them is still in it...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-5-down-but-not-out/