Mongol Derby 2024 Day 9 – Sharing the spoils

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
15th August 2024

Day 9 of the 2024 Mongol Derby sees another 26 of our spectacular cohort of riders reach finish camp to become official Mongol Derby veterans. Welcome to the tribe: you’re now a member for life. While the slightly damp and dreary weather wasn’t much of a cause for celebration, everybody still out on the course gritted their teeth to battle through it, either to join the party at finish camp or make it that bit closer out on the steppe. Many loyal riding companions and newly minted friends for life have touchingly chosen to cross the line together and share their final race placings, showing the kind of sportsmanship that makes the Derby such a special experience for so many. It’s been a day of emotional reunions, remarkable riding and hard-earned cold beers. But it’s not over yet: still out on the course we have 10 determined jockeys who get to enjoy some more steppe magic before it’s all over tomorrow...

Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-9-sharing-the-spoils/

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 8 – All hail the Queen

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
14th August 2024

Day 8 of the 2024 Mongol Derby, and she’s done it. The exceptional Missy Morgan (MMO) has crossed the finish line in superb form, having ridden alone all the way from HS12 where she last saw another Derby rider on Day 4. And she’s managed it with zero vet penalties, and only a few late riding penalties marring her Vet Card. Let’s be very clear here: this was a bloody good ride. About as good as it can possibly get, in fact. Massive congratulations, MMO. You’ve been a pleasure to follow for those back home, and for all our crew, hosts, horses and riders who have met you out on the steppe. A very deserving champion is born...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-8-all-hail-the-queen/

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 7 – Ladies’ day

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
13th August 2024

Close of play on Day 7 of the 2024 Mongol Derby, and the competitive tension has ratcheted up a notch. All eyes are fixed on the two formidable horsewomen loose between HS25 and HS26, each camping out with exceptional host families for what will potentially – touch wood, barring any Derby disasters tomorrow – be their final night out on the steppe. Sam Jones (SJO) has put in an incredible day’s riding to claw back Missy Morgan’s (MMO) 1.5 horse station advantage from a couple of days ago. MMO rode out of HS25 just an hour and a bit ahead of her, normally only about 10km difference in Derby terms. And, to make things even more interesting, they appear to have consulted contrasting maps, each disappearing off down different river valleys. Will navigational nous prove the deciding factor in the final dash for finish camp? Only time will tell...

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https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-7-ladies-day/

26th Issue of Arabian Horse International is released

ArabianHorseIntl.com

August 12 2024

The 26th issue of the Arabian Horse International online magazine, edited by Cidinha Franzao, has been released.

This issue features an in-depth look at the secret behind the Endurance Champions in France (hint: the sire Persik is a key), and a tribute to Benedicte Emond-Bon Atger;

It’s translated to Arabic too!

Read it here:
https://issuu.com/arabianhorseintl/docs/arabian_horse_intl26

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 6 – Snakes and ladders

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
12th August 2024

Day 6 of the 2024 Mongol Derby has seen our riders labouring under another summer scorcher out on the steppe. HQ had decreed that riding hours would be extended from today onwards by an hour from 6:30 to 19:30, giving riders more of a chance to make the most of cooler evenings and mornings to keep battling on towards the finish line at HS29. Out in front leading the charge, Missy Morgan (MMO) continues on her professional romp round the Derby course, eating up yet more ground to reach HS22 this evening. But her closest competitors are giving their all in the chase. Sam Jones (SJO) and Josh Edwards (JED) have rejoined forces and closed the gap slightly, having ridden a textbook day to reach their campsite just short of HS21. MMO still has a healthy lead, but at the pace her pursuers are travelling a penalty of just a few hours or a couple of slow horses could make all the difference. Can she handle the heat to cling on the whole way to the finish line, another 7 horse stations away?...

Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-6-snakes-and-ladders/

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 5 – Lucky dip

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
12th August 2024

Day 5 of the 2024 Mongol Derby has delivered one of the most astonishing ends to a day’s racing in Derby history. Missy Morgan (MMO) has pulled off a stunning feat of daring and horsemanship to extend her lead to a horse station and a half over her nearest rivals, in the most extraordinary form possible. Rounding off a sweltering day’s racing out on the steppe, MMO had a perfectly timed stroke of luck to draw a champion naadam horse from HS17. She pulled off an unbelievable leg, flying from HS17 to HS18 in just 1hr 45 minutes and sneaking into safety by the very tightest of margins. She’s put daylight between herself and her former riding companions Josh Edwards (JED) and Sam Jones (SJO), and she’s now more than halfway round the course. Can she continue to hold her nerve and keep her lead, or do they have their own superstar horses to come to claw it back?...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-5-lucky-dip/

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 4 – The parting of the ways

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
10th August 2024

Day 4 of the 2024 Mongol Derby, and the heat is on. The morning dawned clear and crisp, not a cloud in the sky. The weather held all day, with the sun beating down on hot and bothered horses and riders by the afternoon. The tension has risen along with the thermometer. Some unlucky vet penalties have led to a dramatic split in the leading pack at the head of the race, and also given others riding hard to catch up with them a chance to disrupt the rankings. Missy Morgan (MMO) finds herself camped out in the wilds tonight with only her noble steed for company, breaking away from former co-leaders Sam Jones (SJO) and Josh Edwards (JED): will she manage to cling on to her freshly seized lead, or will the weight of riding alone prove too much? Riding solo, and especially at the front, can be a draining experience. Think of it like bike racing right at the front of the peloton the whole way, rather than having team mates to take turns battling into the headwind. Sometimes your horse won’t travel as well as it would in company and requires a lot more encouragement, being solely responsible for every navigational decision can be draining, and if the worst does happen and you take a tumble you’re going to be hard pushed to catch a loose horse alone. As we approach the halfway mark of the race, anything could happen...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-4-the-parting-of-the-ways/