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