Australia: Local riders to tackle Gobi Desert Cup

Northernstar.com.au - Full Article

Marc Stapelberg | 4th Aug 2017 7:00 AM

THE desert in Mongolia conjures vivid images of a foreign culture and harsh conditions.

For Horsetalk Riding Farm owners Steve Clibborn and Joyce Corbett it will be their personal battleground for a week as they strive to conquer exhaustion, heat, cold and mental fatigue while participating in a 480km race through the unforgiving desert.

The inaugural Gobi Desert Cup will take place in September and is a 480 kilometre endurance ride starting 160km outside UlaanBataar, the capital of Mongolia.

Riders will ride a new Mongolian horse especially trained for The Gobi Desert Cup everyday for 80km.

There will be two vet checks daily at about 40km and at the end of the 80km course.

The veterinarians will check the horses heart rate, gait and general condition to be deemed fit to continue.

Horsetalk Endurance team member Joyce Corbett is a national champion in endurance riding with seven Quilty Buckles and eventually winning the coveted Tom Quilty Gold Cup in 2004 which is Australia's most prestigious endurance horse race...

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