American distance jockey is stranded in Mongolia after getting too sick to ride in 620-mile race: ‘They told me to ride it out’

NYPost.com - Full Article

By Richard Pollina
Published Aug. 8, 2024,

A Wyoming-based extreme distance jockey was left to fend for herself in Mongolia after race organizers allegedly “couldn’t give a crap” about what happened to her when she fell too sick to compete in the 620-mile trek across the East Asian country.

Dede Anders, 49, was a last-minute entry in the Mongol Derby and arrived in Mongolia on Aug. 1 after race organizers reached out to her last month when another competitor dropped out, she told the Cowboy State Daily.

From the nation’s capital of Ulaanbaatar, Anders took an eight-hour trip to the race starting point and was all set to take the lengthy ride across the Mongolian Steppe.

The race — self-proclaimed as the world’s toughest horse race — recreates the horse messenger system developed by Genghis Khan in 1224, according to The Mongolian Derby’s website.

However, on Monday, two days before the race was set to start, she became violently ill...

Read more here:
https://nypost.com/2024/08/08/us-news/wyoming-horse-racer-dede-anders-abandoned-in-mongolia-after-getting-too-sick-to-ride-in-620-mile-mongol-derby/

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 3 – Three’s company

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
9th August 2024

The sun returned to shine down on us by the end of Day 3 on the 2024 Mongol Derby, and sets on another day of excellent racing, outstanding sportsmanship and a healthy dose of mayhem. Our leading riders have had a long, fast day in the saddle to cover a marathon day, propelling themselves from their campsite just beyond HS6 last night all the way to HS10. A 4 horse station day is no mean feat, especially when accounting for a high mountain pass and one emergency ejection along the way. But so far, the three frontrunners have managed to dodge any major drama: Josh Edwards (JED), Missy Morgan (MMO) and Sam Jones (SJO) are fast morphing into a three-pronged lean, mean Derby machine. But have they formed a firm enough bond to bind them through the ups and downs which are surely still to come over the remaining 19 horse stations, or are they all still harbouring personal hopes of clinching victory for themselves? Only time will tell...

https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-3-threes-company/

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 2 – Into the woods

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
8th August 2024

And then there were four. The dust has settled on Day 2 of the 2024 Mongol Derby, as four members of last night’s leading group of seven pull off a near flawless Derby day to put themselves just beyond the reach of a competitive chasing pack a mere 10k behind them at HS6. Sam Jones (SJO), Missy Morgan (MMO), Josh Edwards (JED) and Lola Day (LRD) have ridden beautifully today with the help of some exceptional equine partners to eat up the ground, navigate expertly through woodland and mountain passes and secure themselves a 5-star Mongolian goat shed for the night. The Derby dream. Pats on the back may well be deserved, but they can’t rest too easy: a determined throng of 6 riders will be making the most of the comforts of HS6 tonight to recharge and launch their bid for the lead at 7am tomorrow morning...

Read more and see photos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-2-into-the-woods/

Mongol Derby 2024 Day 1 – We have lift off

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Holly Conyers
7th August 2024

A whirlwind Day 1 of the 2024 Mongol Derby comes to a close, leaving in its wake several slightly bruised jockeys, a lost Vet Card somewhere between the start line and HS1, and some thrilling sporting drama. Typically the first day of any Derby is pretty hectic, but this one was a rollercoaster for the ages. Emerging victorious from the fray, 7 of our intrepid riders have bedded down for the night at HS3, the rest of the field spread out behind them all the way back to just shy of HS2. Sleeping soundly tonight in the comfort of HS3 are Almira Zakiyeva (AZA), Josh Edwards (JED), Lola Day (LRD), our 2014 Derby champion Sam Jones (SJO) and team New Zealand Brydie Black (BBL) and Emma Watson (EWA). But they’re by no means shot of the rest of the field. Camping out alone and just a few kms out of HS3, Gideon Kotkowski (GKO) has ridden a stormer to keep himself within touching distance of the lead. A slow start by the leaders in the morning could see him leaping up the rankings, assuming his horse is still there by his side when he wakes. And the rest of the field are hardly a station behind. It’s all to play for...

Read more, photos and videos here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-day-1-we-have-lift-off/

Mongol Derby 2024 – Pre-Race Training Day 3 – Marmot mayhem

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
6th August 2024

Just like that, bootcamp is over. Two full days on the steppe at the Mongol Derby start camp, and we’re satisfied our 2024 cohort of Derby hopefuls are prepped and ready for blast off. Or, at least, as prepped and ready as you can ever actually be for whatever particular curveballs the Derby decides to chuck your way. The day dawned bright and pleasant, just like yesterday. Riders would be forgiven for assuming it would be another (largely) smooth day of briefings and test rides on nice calm horses. But they hadn’t yet reckoned with the miniature fluffy ball of terror that is the Mongolian marmot.

For some, the first obstacle of the day was shaking off the sore head and bleary eyes from their introductory night to the steppe and the start camp bar supplies. Last night following dinner, riders were treated to a mini naadam, the Mongolian national festival. Normally this involves Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery, but accompanying events also include contortionists, musical performances and throat singing (if you haven’t heard it, have a Google). Our local performers put on quite the show to really embed the riders in the phenomenally rich cultural heritage they are witnessing out on the steppe. Yes, they’re here to race horses, but these horses are only here as part of Mongolia’s fascinating history and traditions, many of which are kept alive to this day. Apparently this extends to watching everything from the back of your horse, if you’re a true Mongolian herder like our start camp team...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-pre-race-training-day-3-marmot-mayhem/

Mongol Derby 2024 – Pre-Race Training Day 2 – Bootcamp begins

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Holly Conyers
5th August 2024

Day 2 of Pre-Race Training, and our crew and riders woke up to a glorious first morning on the steppe. Sunny but relatively cool with promising clear skies and innocent fluffy clouds: the dream training day. A positive omen for our riders’ first brush with some famously spicy Mongolian horses. As riders rose and tucked into breakfast, our herders were already up with the larks and rounding up our test drive mounts ready for later in the day. Generally, horses in Mongolia range totally free in large herds. One or two reliable horses are always left hobbled or tied together close to home (or, in this case, Derby start camp) so herders have a willing steed to help them track down the others when the need arises...

Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-pre-race-training-day-2-bootcamp-begins/

Mongol Derby 2024 – Pre-Race Training Day 1 – The riders roll in

Equestrianists.com - Full ARticle

Holly Conyers
4th August 2024

And so it begins. Our riders are now safely installed in the 2024 Mongol Derby start camp, having completed Day 1 of Pre-Race Training and cleared the first hurdle to Mongol Derby success: the very lengthy bus ride out from Ulaanbaatar to the steppe. They now have two more days of Derby bootcamp to test all their gear, finalise their snack selections and get familiar with some of their mighty Mongolian steeds before the gun goes off on the 2024 Mongol Derby and they thunder across the start line. There’s no going back now.

The Derby itself starts on Wednesday, and riders have 10 days to complete the approximately 1,000km course. Until the final day of racing action, we’ll be bringing you live daily reports covering each day’s thrills and spills. For now, read on for a rundown of what the riders and the crew have been up to today, and some background info on the course you’ll shortly be watching them conquer live on our tracking map...

More at:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/mongol-derby-2024-pre-race-training-day-1-the-riders-roll-in/