Morgan’s road to the Gaucho Derby

Hi my name is Morgan Williams and I’m excited to announce that I have been invited to race in the 2024 Gaucho Derby in Argentina. The race will start in early February 2024. The Gaucho Derby is one of the toughest horse races in the world. The race will stretch 320 miles across the southern part of Argentina. The race is set up to truly test a persons toughest and horsemanship skills. One of the reasons the race is so tough is because you have to draw 7 different horses out of a hat that you have never ridden before. Then you are only given a terrain map and a gps to navigate some of the toughest terrain in the world. It is up to you to try and decide what route will be the fastest. The race has 17 check points that you will have to find and have the horses checked over. The horses health is top priorities during the race. Vets at each check point will make sure all the horses pass a vet check. The horses heart rate is check as well as overall wellness. If the horse does not pass the the vet check a time penalty will be added. Each day you have 10 hours of ride time. You have the option to camp at the checkpoints or camp out on the trail. Everything you need to survive will have to be packed in saddlebags and brought with you. So all your food, water, tent, extra clothes, etc. Saddlebags will have to be under a certain weight, so it will be important to pack smart. Throughout the race you will get 4 re-supply bags per determined before the race starts. I will have to be ready for any that wild Patagonia can throw at me. I’m so excited for the challenge and ready to push myself to the max. I’m honored to be one of 35 people from all over the world. Go USA!!! I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and still can’t believe it is really happening.

This race was custom made for me. I feel like I have been slowly training and studying my whole life for something likes this. Here are just a few things that have prepared me for the Gaucho derby. 

    * I have been riding horses for over 30 years. The horses have always been the thing in life that makes me tick. 

    * My background is very diverse in the fact that I have had the opportunity to ride so many different types of horses and compete in different disciplines. Everything from barrels and poles to dressage and jumping. 

     * Some of my competition highlights 

 -Shown Paso Finos internationally      

 - Won First and Second level at the USDF Regional Championships. 

 - Earned my Bronze Medal 

 - Won First Level at Pony Cup and Small horse Nationals. 

 - Shown at USDF Finals

     * I have worked at an international Paso Fino show barn, top quality Dressage stables and different Quarter Horse barns. 

     * I have a Equine Science degree with a concentration in dressage from William Woods University. 

     * I also have a degree in Agribusiness Industry Management from Southeast Missouri State University. 

      * While I was going to SEMO I had the opportunity to do a study abroad to Ecuador. I fell in love with South America. One of my favorite parts of the trip was hiking through the jungle and the active volcano Cotopaxi. 

      * Running is also a helpful benefit. I love running. I started out just doing 5k and moved up to half marathons. I love the challenge of endurance running. I think all the running will help with mental and physical toughness. 

       *Last but not least is that I take horses camping every summer. I’ve had a lot of experience packing and riding long distances. 

I have all the emotions leading up to the the Gaucho Derby. I’m excited, nervous, and even a little terrified. All I know is that it is going to be one epic adventure and I can’t wait. 

Now the hard part. I have to raise the money for the entry fees. The entry fee is not cheap and is set at $16,500. There is so much that goes into putting on a competition like this and this is why it is so expensive. I told myself I wasn’t going to back out just because of the entry fee. That is why I am now asking for help from my friends, families and adventure junkies support. 

Any funds raised over the $16,500 entry fee will be donated to the K9s for Warriors charity. This charity helps train shelter dogs and home them with veterans with disabilities such as PTSD. 

contact info

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2017 Sherwood dr

Cape Girardeau Mo, 63701