Mongol Derby 2023 Day 6: Grit and camaraderie

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Outlaw Kate
8th August 2023

As usual , the Day 6 on the steppe started with some interesting weather. A heavy fog had descended, adding a very Game of Thrones-esque eerie atmosphere and riders and crew alike were nervously checking over their shoulders lest a white walker catch them unawares. By mid afternoon, however, the atmosphere had lightened noticeably, and the fog cleared up to reveal Mongolia’s signature blue skies punctuated with small puffy white clouds towards the horizon.

Our resident Swedish Viking Linda LHE held the lead throughout the day. It’s a well-earned lead and nothing has come easy to this intrepid rider: she has had a kick or two but has marshaled on without a complaint. We’ve met quite a few tough characters through this race but she may be one of the toughest thus far. According to the crew she’s battle-hardened and has definitely shown the world that she means business...

More stories, photos, videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-6-grit-and-camaraderie/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 5: Teamwork and tenacity

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Outlaw Kate
7th August 2023

It was a hot and overcast kind of day today followed by an early evening thunderstorm which has become the norm since the start. Riders, knowing the routine, have been riding out of the last station of the day, rain gear on and ready. The lightning shows have been pretty spectacular.

Phoebe de Raeve has shown us her navigational prowess, taking an interesting route up and through the mountains instead of staying low and in the valleys. Understandable, because if there’s one thing we know about her, she’s got a thing for mountains. She’s a rough and tumble type, takes her training seriously, but found herself rough-and-tumbling down into a crevasse in the mountains two weeks before the Derby...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-5-teamwork-and-tenacity/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 4: The hustle continues

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Tom Morgan
6th August 2023

Race Report Day 4

Lost Horse Saga

RCA steppe curse continues as he got thrown off another horse, ISD attempted to catch him, but they digressed and managed to find a herding family. RCA jumped on the back of a motorbike and he and his new found herder friend caught the loose horse whilst IDS enjoyed some lovely afternoon tea with the wife.

Invasion of the Flys

Today saw riders and crew crossing some seriously fly infested swamp land. It’s gorgeous at first sight until you slow down long enough for the fly hordes to find you.

Herding Fams

Purevkhishig. D has provided horses three times for the Mongol Derby and participated in our Herder Trials. His thoughts on the Mongol Derby: I’m very excited about the Mongol Derby because it showcases our culture and most importantly our horses. I love seeing the international riders and how well they can ride my horses, it’s really incredible.

Everyone has a plan until they’re kicked in the stomach:...

Read more, see photos and videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-4-the-hustle-continues/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 3: Gazelles and camels and spas, oh my

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Tom Morgan
5th August 2023

The weather continued to play a major part on Day 3 in this 2023 edition of the Derby, with the riders enduring another blistering day followed by a biblical downpour just around the time they were tucking into their tents/gers/goat sheds.. If you’ve never been caught in a Mongolian thunderstorm you are missing one of the finest examples of the power of Mother Nature. You can go from parched and dried-out tongue-hanging-out sticky hotness to saturated sogginess in a matter of minutes. Lucky for most riders, they had an initiation into the fickleness of weather at start camp and are by now experienced weather-weatherers.

Weather notwithstanding, the beauty of the steppe did not disappoint today. Jessie JDO had an incredible day of solo riding, even encountering a gazelle in the mountains somewhere around HS8. Not to be outdone, Micaiah, MSO and Alice ARO rode up to a rock in the middle of nowhere and promptly discovered it was a camel catching up on its beauty sleep. By the time these riders return to the former lives, they will have accumulated a plethora of visual memories to sustain them for a lifetime...

More stories, photos, videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-3-gazelles-and-camels-and-spas-oh-my/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 2: Are we there yet?

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Outlaw Kate
4th August 2023

Day 2 is when the reality of this race tends to sink in. The adrenaline has worn down a bit and the nerves have settled, but there are still a lot of miles to go. These riders are tough bunch though, and to even make it to the start line takes immense preparation and skill, not to mention a bit of bravado and disregard for comfort.

Day 2 saw a lot of unscheduled dismounts, a few lost horses, some more epic camping tales, and the field beginning to separate between the hard core racers vs the adventure seekers...

More at:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-2-are-we-there-yet/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 1: The Journey Begins

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Outlaw Kate
3rd August 2023

The 2023 edition of the Mongol Derby kicked off under cloudy and cool skies; perfect riding weather for these 42 intrepid international riders who have come to the steppe hoping to make their mark.

As the riders lined up for the kickoff to this 10-day adventure, the feisty horses had their own ideas about what constitutes a good time, causing a few spills and thrills which added spice to an already charged atmosphere at the start line. Just a taste of what is to come over the next 10 days as these riders will change horses at each of the 28 horse stations: no two rides will be the same which is about as close to a certainty as we can get in this race...

More stories, photos, videos at:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2023-day-1-the-journey-begins/

Follow the 2023 Mongol Derby Live

Equestrianists.com

Tom Morgan
ShariThompsonPhoto1.jpg 2nd August 2023

Riders from 13 countries across the globe are mounting their horses at the start line right now. And you can follow the adventure unfold live right here on our website and socials without even getting chaffed. So make yourself a cup of tea, hit the button below, and watch our brave riders tackle the longest and toughest horse race in the world.

Follow Live

This year we’re making daily video shorts to sum up the days action, a bit like this one from yesterdays pre race training...

See all the videos

And much more! At: https://equestrianists.com/