Australia: Last muster on NT cattle station before heading to Mongol Derby

ABC.net.au - Listen

On NT Country Hour with Matt Brann
25 July 2019

Sam Chisholm, who grew up on Napperby Station in the Northern Territory, is getting ready for the world's longest and toughest horse race — the Mongol Derby.

The helicopter pilot, who admits he hasn't done too much practice apart from some mustering on a Top End station, is just weeks away from taking on the 1,000 kilometre race through Mongolia.

"I've been at work for the last three weeks, so I haven't done a great deal of riding," he said.

"I've been riding my pushbike around and will be heading back to Auvernge Station to do a couple of more rides on the horse and get back to being saddle-fit, and then I'm on the plane.

"There's a lot of professionals in the field [for the Mongol Derby] and I'm pretty glad they let a few hacks from the bush have a go and hopefully we can hold our own."

Along with his cousin Pip, the two will be taking on the endurance ride while also raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

He spoke to ABC Rural about the challenge ahead...

Listen at:
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nt-country-hour/territorian-sam-chisholm-prepares-for-mongol-derby-2019/11346524