Gaucho Derby Fundraiser for Friends Of Mio

Hi, my name is Warwick Schiller. At the end of January 2024 I leave for Argentina to compete in a race called The Gaucho Derby. Billed as "the world's toughest horse race", it's a 500 km race through Patagonia in Argentina. It's a survival race where you carry your tent, sleeping bag, food, stove etc with you. The winners usually complete the race in 7 days, and competitors ride 7 different horses during the race.

One of the requirements is to raise money for a worthy charity. Usually people fund raise all year before the race. I've had some physical ailments this year that had me thinking I may not be able to do the race, but here we are 2 weeks out and I'm ready to go.

I had a guest on The Journey On Podcast last year named Emily Cajdotter from Sweden. She runs a non profit there called "Friends Of Mio" where they have a sanctuary for 160 animals, 65 of them being horses. Not only do they rescue these animals, but they have created a space where people can go there and, in Emelie's words "meet other species in a non heirarchical way".

I feel strongly about the work they are doing there and feel that when those people go home from there they will have a hugely positive influence on the world around them.

If you haven't listened to Emelie's episode, it's episode 115 of The Journey On Podcast.