Bahrain Endurance team riders shine in Estonia race

GDNOnline.com - Full Article

14 August 2023

BAHRAIN’S Othman Abduljaleel Al Awadhi, from the Royal Endurance Team, delivered an outstanding performance, earning a commendable 10thplace finish in the FEI Endurance World Championship for 8-year-old horses, held in Padise, Estonia.

Slovakia’s Dominika Kainova claimed the first place in the championship, crossing the finish line ahead of the UAE’s rider, Butei Ali Al Nuaimi. Spain’s Gill Beringer took third place, while the UAE’s Saeed Ahmed Al Shamsi finished fourth. Al Awadhi’s consistent performance throughout the different stages showcased his remarkable skills and determination...

Read more here:
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1288625

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 10: The final chapter

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Outlaw Kate
12th August 2023

It’s been a long journey for these riders who set out 10 days ago to pit themselves against 1000km of rugged steppe and relentless weather, not to mention a selection of the feistiest and finest horses that Mongolia has to offer. For some, the journey began months or even years prior: commitments have been rearranged to accommodate training, piggy banks have been emptied to fund the travel to the steppe, all to satisfy the drive to become one of a very select group of riders who have experienced this event. It’s no wonder that we often say that to make it to the start line is a big win in everyone’s book, and to ride any length of the Derby is something to be very proud of. In the words of one of our illustrious alumni Kevin Price-Moor, “More people have climbed Mt Everest than have competed in this event. This is our Everest.” Thus we salute all our riders, no matter where they placed. You are all very much winners in our book...

More story, photos, videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-10-the-final-chapter/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 9: A winner is crowned

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Outlaw Kate
11th August 2023

As the sun rose over the steppe on Day 9 there was a sense of expectation in the air. Lead rider Linda LHE was sitting pretty at HS27, a mere 60km from the finish and exquisitely positioned, should all go well, to claim the 2023 Derby title by mid-day. Crew were up at the crack of dawn, herders had horses organized and ready, and when the clock chimed 0700 Linda was out the door on her way to the finish.

Camped between HS26 – HS27 Judith JJA, Xavier XFE and Moazzam MHK were also well on their way first thing, looking to narrow the gap between themselves and the leader; and chaser Matthew MPE back at HS26 set out to continue his relentless push towards the finish line. With this tight of a race, it could still come down to the wire. One penalty, a slow horse, an unscheduled dismount and everything could change.

The crew watched Linda’s progress with bated breath while reports began pinging in that she had drawn a rather “measured pace” horse: in other words it was a somewhat leisurely ride to HS28 with the chasing pack baying at her heels...

More article, photos, videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-9-a-winner-is-crowned/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 8: Gunning for the finish

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Outlaw Kate
10th August 2023

Day 8 dawned bright and clear with the promise of another scorcher out on the steppe. Crew and riders alike were feeling the heat and stern warnings were given to all by the medics to hydrate well and often. Water for the riders is provided at the horse stations and they are cautioned to purify any other water they come across out on the steppe prior to drinking.

Water is a precious resource in this part of the world; it is essential for the health of their livestock and families will often move to where there is a good reliable source of water. Although our course is set well in advance, we occasionally need to move a horse station location slightly to accommodate the fact that the herding family needed to move closer to better grazing and water. It is a good reminder that the steppe is still home to many nomadic people with no fixed address. Such a great cultural experience for our riders...

More story, photos, videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-8-gunning-for-the-finish/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 7: Sometimes we walk, sometimes we ride

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Outlaw Kate
9th August 2023

It’s Day 7 and the lead riders have now covered over 80 percent of the course, which to us mere mortals means they’ve ridden somewhere in the neighbourhood of 800 kilometers. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. The chasing pack, their accomplishments by no means any less significant, have covered over 700 kilometers. Are they still going strong? Absolutely. And the determination is still apparent in the many photos that come out over the day via our social media channels, showing the grins, grimaces and grit-your-teeth-and-get-it-done expressions on our brave riders’ faces. The point here is that no matter where positioned on the field, every rider who has come here to taste the Mongolian horse way of life has done something significant that will change who they are forever...

More story, photos and videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/day-7-sometimes-we-walk-sometimes-we-ride/

Mongol Derby 2023 Day 6: Grit and camaraderie

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

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

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

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/