Sarah's Mongol Derby Adventure

Some people avoid doing stupid things... I sign up to take part in them!

So what is the Mongol Derby, you may ask?

The longest and toughest horse race in the world!

It's a 1000km horse race across the steppes of Mongolia, on semi-wild Mongolian horses. The race symbolises the mail routes Genghis Khans riders would have taken, in order to build one of the greatest empires in the world.

Riders will ride approx. 27-30 horses over a period of 7 - 10 days, to check points which they must self-navigate to (as someone who can't find their way out of a carpark, this is extremely daunting).

The local herding families still have a strong connection to the land and their horses and provide up to 1500 horses for the race, they may also provide food and shelter to weary riders during the race who are either lost or exhausted.... or both!

When is it?

10th -20th August 2022.

Why did I choose to do this race?

I've always been fascinated by Mongolia, a country with no fencing where the nomadic lifestyle and traditions are still maintained by many. The idea of being able to ride a horse freely across a variety of landscapes is something I dream about often. I started following the race in around 2015 and loved reading about many of the riders stories, so one day I decided to apply.

Who do I want to help?

Whilst having the opportunity to partake in a race like this is a true privilege, it shouldn't' be forgotten that there are many less fortunate, that is why I have set up this page to fundraise for two chosen charities.

Steppe and Hoof - http://www.steppeandhoof.org/donate

This charity provide help for the local herding families in Mongolia, who have been severely impacted by urbanization and climate change. The charity provide veterinary and medial support and program to help to preserve the unique traditions of the nomadic lifestyle .

Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

This charity helps those who are suffering with mental health issues, with everything that has happened in the last two years, this has only highlighted how important our mental health is.

When you're riding you're living.... everything else is just waiting.