Mongol Derby-Race Day 10 -Until the Last Rider

photos by Tulgaa Skizz and Batbileg Dovchinbavuu

Equestrianists

By Candice Sparre
14 August 2026

Day 10 of the Mongol Derby had arrived and for the 19 riders still out on the steppe, this was it.

The winner had been crowned and the top seven places decided, but for the riders still out there, today was their final opportunity to complete the 2026 Mongol Derby and cross those finish flags.

After nine days of horses, navigation, penalties, questionable camping arrangements, broken kit and everything else the Mongolian steppe had thrown their way, there was one job left to do.

Get up. Draw a horse. And get yourself to that finish line.

Day 10 dawned rather dramatically, with dark clouds hanging over the landscape while the morning sun found its way through...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-race-day-10-until-the-last-rider

Mongol Derby - Race Day 9 - Finish Lines and Unfinished Business

Tulgaa Skizz photo

By Candice Sparre
13 August 2026

Day 9 of the Mongol Derby and the finish line finally came into play.

After eight days of racing across the Mongolian steppe, the leaders began the morning separated by kilometres rather than horse stations. The race for the win was still alive, the chasing pack had plenty to fight for, and further back, riders continued to grind their way towards those increasingly tantalising finish flags.

By sunset, the top of the leaderboard would look very different - and the first seven places of the 2026 Mongol Derby would be decided.

But while the podium began to fill at Finish Camp, out on the steppe, the Derby was far from over...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-race-day-9-finish-lines-and-unfinished-business

Mongol Derby - Race Day 8 - The Steppe Isn't Done Yet

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Tulgaa Skizz and Batbileg Dovchinbavuu photos

By Candice Sparre
12 August 2026

Day 8 dawned on the Mongol Derby with the finish line starting to feel dangerously real.

Eight days of racing were firmly in the legs, sleep was becoming increasingly theoretical, kit was beginning to show the strain, and apparently some riders were now continuing the Derby in their dreams.

But there was very little interest in slowing down.

At the sharp end, Laura van Laar (LLA) had one thing firmly in her sights: the finish line.

Behind her, Doniga Feliz Markegard (DMA) and Ella Greenslade (EGR) were still hunting as a pair, while Rangna Roux (RRO) had ground to make up and appeared in absolutely no mood to waste any more time doing it...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-race-day-8-the-steppe-isnt-done-yet

Mongol Derby - Race Day 7 - The Race Resets

Tulgaa Skizz and Batbileg Dovchinbavuu photos

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre
10 August 2026

Day 7 opened with a very different-looking race at the sharp end of the Mongol Derby.

Late yesterday, Lindsay Woods (LWO) became unwell on the steppe and activated her SOS. The medical team responded, with LWO subsequently treated for heat stroke. Unfortunately, the heat-related illness has brought her competitive Derby to an end, and LWO has now retired from the race.

Her racing may be over, but her Derby isn’t quite finished yet. LWO will now make her way to Finish Camp, where she’ll join those already there and swap racing for cheering duties, ready to welcome her fellow riders as they make their way across the finish line.

This morning also brought a number of adjustments to the running order at the front of the field...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-race-day-7-the-race-resets-

Mongol Derby 2026 - Race Day 6 - The Chase is on

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre
10 August 2026

Day 6 dawned with the battle at the front showing absolutely no signs of letting up.

Rangna Roux (RRO) and Lindsay Woods (LWO) had pushed beyond HS15 to camp on the steppe overnight, putting some extra kilometres between themselves and their closest rivals. Behind them, Laura van Laar (LLA), Ella Greenslade (EGR) and Doniga Feliz Markegard (DMA) had settled in at HS15, making the most of a good feed and some proper rest before setting off in pursuit this morning.

With the leaders beginning to stretch the field but the chasing trio refusing to let them get away, there was everything still to play for...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-race-day-6-the-chase-is-on-

Mongol Derby 2026 - Race Day 5 -The Gamble Is On

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre
8 August 2026

Five days into the Mongol Derby and the field is well and truly scattered across the Mongolian steppe. The front-runners are pushing on, navigation is producing some increasingly interesting lines, bodies are creaking, belongings are breaking and somewhere out there a Mongolian dog has ensured one rider will never look at a bush poo quite the same way again.

In other words, business as usual at the Mongol Derby.

Rangna Roux (RRO) and Lindsay Woods (LWO) wasted no time getting down to business this morning, while Doniga Feliz Markegard (DMA), Ella Greenslade (EGR) and Laura van Laar (LLA) remained relentless behind them, continuing to make gains on the front-runners...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-race-day-5-

Mongol Derby 2026 - Race Day 4 - Too hot to trot

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre
7 August 2026

The Mongol Derby rarely goes to plan, and Day 4 was no exception.

Heat, navigation mishaps, improvised repairs and a few unexpected logistical headaches combined to produce one of the most unusual days of the race so far. While the leaderboard continued to ebb and flow at the sharp end of the field, today's biggest challenge wasn't another rider... it was Mother Nature.

As temperatures climbed towards 33°C, Race HQ made the decision to implement a temporary race hold during the hottest part of the afternoon. Riding paused from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm before resuming later in the evening, with riding hours extended until 8:30 pm.

The decision was a simple one. Horse welfare comes first. Always...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-race-day-4-Too-hot-to-trot

Mongol Derby 2026 - Race Day 3 -The Gloves Are Off

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre ·
6 August 2026

Three days in, and the Mongol Derby is beginning to show its teeth.

Yesterday's searing heat gave way to cooler temperatures across the Mongolian steppe, and our riders wasted absolutely no time taking full advantage. Spirits were lifted, horses recovered more quickly, and the pace at the front ramped up another notch. The relief was almost universal, with riders across the field commenting on just how welcome the cooler conditions were after yesterday's furnace-like ride.

That fresh energy was immediately obvious at the sharp end of the race.

Laura van Laar (LLA) continues to lead the charge across the Mongolian steppe, with Rangna Roux (RRO) refusing to let her out of sight. But if the leading pair thought they might enjoy a quiet day out front, they were mistaken. Lindsay Woods (LWO) has steadily begun reeling them in...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-race-day-3-the-gloves-are-off

Mongol Derby 2026 - Race Day 2 - The Heat is on

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre ·
6 August 2026

Race Day 2 brought another blistering day on the Mongolian steppe, testing riders, horses and every decision in between. Out here, the challenge isn't just riding fast, it's managing your horse, managing yourself, and knowing when to push and when to back off.

At the sharp end of the field, the race at the front is already beginning to take shape.

Alison Smith (ASM), Rangna Roux (RRO) and Laura van Laar (LVA) all rode out of Horse Station 2 together this morning, but it wasn't long before Rangna and Laura broke clear. The pair blasted out of Horse Station 3 shoulder to shoulder before repeating the feat at Horse Station 4 later in the afternoon, making it clear they have no intention of easing the pace...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-race-day-2-the-heat-is-on-

Mongol Derby 2026 – Race Day 1 – A Gentle Introduction

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

By Candice Sparre ·
5 August 2026

The waiting is over. Forty-three riders have officially launched themselves into the Mongolian steppe, swapping the comforts of Start Camp for semi-wild horses, split-second decisions and 1,000 kilometres of adventure.

Race Director Tom Morgan once again risked life and limb standing in front of 43 nervous riders and equally enthusiastic horses for the traditional countdown. Tom survived his annual game of Derby chicken and, in the blink of an eye, the field disappeared into the Mongolian steppe.

Behind him, however, the real story of Day 1 quickly became the Mongolian horse lottery.

Some riders struck gold. Others... drew absolute dragons...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-race-day-1-a-gentle-introduction

Mongol Derby 2026 - Start Camp Day 3 - The Final Countdown

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre ·
3 August 2026

Just like that, Start Camp is over.

Two full days of briefings, training rides and getting acquainted with semi-wild Mongolian horses have come to an end, and we're satisfied our 2026 cohort of Derby hopefuls are as prepared as they can be for what's waiting beyond the start line. The maps have been marked, the saddlebags packed, and tomorrow there's only one thing left to do: point 43 riders towards the horizon and let the adventure begin.

The final morning at Start Camp focused on turning information into confidence.

First up was a detailed run through of this year's course. While riders are entirely responsible for navigating themselves between horse stations, we don't send them out completely blind. They were guided through each leg of the route, shown compulsory waypoints, horse watering locations and areas requiring a little extra thought before setting off on their own tomorrow. Maps quickly disappeared beneath a sea of scribbled notes, highlighted routes and last-minute reminders...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/the-final-countdown

Mongol Derby 2026 - Start Camp Day 2 - Bucks, Braids and Batteries

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By Candice Sparre ·
3 August 2026

The first full day at Start Camp arrived with cool air, clear skies and a suspicious amount of peace and quiet. While riders surfaced from their gers for breakfast, Mongolian Horse Managers Munkh-Erdene, Enkhmunkh and Davaadorj had already disappeared onto the steppe to gather the morning's training horses.

Unlike many horses around the world, Mongolian horses don't spend the night waiting politely in stables. They roam freely across vast family herds, so each morning the horse managers ride out to collect them. One or two trusted horses are left hobbled near camp for exactly that purpose, and before long a line of sturdy, semi-wild horses was making its way back towards Start Camp, ready to size up this year's riders.

Before anyone swung a leg over a Mongolian horse, there were a few essentials to cover first...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-start-camp-day-2-bucks-braids-and-batteries-

Mongol Derby 2026 - Start Camp Day 1 - The Adventure Gets Real

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

By The Equestrianists ·
2 August 2026

Hello, Derby fans.

Well… this is it.

After months and for many riders, years of dreaming, training, fundraising, second-guessing themselves and explaining to confused friends why voluntarily riding 1,000km across Mongolia on semi-wild horses seemed like a sensible life choice, the 2026 Mongol Derby has officially begun.

Not the racing (don’t get ahead of yourselves), but the part where everything suddenly becomes very, very real.

Today, our 43 riders left the comforts of Ulaanbaatar behind and boarded the infamous bus to Start Camp. Six hours later, with questionable circulation, rapidly diminishing phone signal and excitement levels through the roof, they rolled into the Mongolian steppe for the first time.

There is no turning back now...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/start-camp-day-1-the-adventure-gets-real

Mongol Derby 2026 – Rider rollcall

Equestrianists,com - Full Article

Hello, Derby fans.

We meet again. At long last, the wait is over. It's been an agonisingly slow year since our 2025 Mongol Derby riders galloped across the finish line somewhere in the Mongolian wilds – and barely five months since the Gaucho Derby threw us another ten days of Patagonian chaos for good measure. But never fear: the Derby drought is almost over. In just under a week's time, on Wednesday 5 August 2026, the start flag will go down on the 15th official Mongol Derby and we'll all be saved from existential boredom by another 10 days of thrills, spills and highly questionable life choices aboard semi-wild horses.

Check out this years rider list here

While the crew are busy scrubbing tack, charging GPS trackers and herding up champion racehorses from across the land, riders are beginning to descend on Ulaanbaatar. Months – if not years – of careful preparation are about to be put to the test in the longest and toughest horse race on the planet. Over 1,000km of self-navigated racing across the untamed Mongolian steppe, atop just marginally more tame horses.

As these intrepid adventurers wing their way to start camp from far flung corners of the globe laden with copious quantities of anti-chafing cream, you may be asking yourself: just what kind of screw must you have loose to take on this monumental equine adventure?...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2026-rider-rollcall