The Mongol Derby is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest and toughest horse race. This year, the ninth time it has been run, there will be 12 men and 23 women from nine countries, riding 1000km across Mongolia on semi-wild horses.
Australia’s William Comiskey was one of the joint winners in 2016 and he’s back to try and win single-handedly this time. Trying to stop him are 34 fearsome competitors, including an Olympian (in Modern Pentathlon), a cattle herder, a dairy farmer, a potato farmer, an ostrich rider, a dog sledder, a psychologist, an artist, a banker, a private investigator and even a desperate housewife. plus the usual vets and riders of every type of horse on the planet. Although, of course, many of them have yet to ride a Mongolian horse…
Two of the competitors are from New Zealand.
Jennifer Cook is aged 31, and while she is southern born and bred, she currently resides in Rotorua. Jen grew up riding horses, beginning as a volunteer with her mum at the RDA, then eventually going to pony club, showing, eventing and games. For the last 10 years, she has worked in tourism and outdoor education, loves to travel and explore and has a passion for photography. Jen wants to do this race because not only is Mongolia an incredible country, but she loves a challenge, and having a cause like Cool Earth benefit from this experience makes it worth every minute. Jen has a donations page set up on this link to help her raise funds for the event.
Marie Palzer is from Marahau (Tasman district). Riding provides Marie with a sense of freedom and empowerment. She entered the Mongol Derby as she is completely addicted to adventure and pushing herself to her limits. She taught herself to ride at a young age, and now classifies as a long-distance rider, having spent 102 days travelling solo on horseback. She trains green horses, works at a trekking company, competes in trail rides, gives riding lessons and, alongside all that, is a Waldorf Steiner teacher. “I think it’s wonderful to take what you love and turn it into a gift that makes the world a better place,” she says. Marie’s fundraising page is on this link.
Marie also runs a movement called Hoofing Around for Change which advocates equality and aims to empower others to follow their dreams and stay true to themselves. (www.hoofingaround.co.nz)
The Mongol Derby’s 1000km course recreates Chinggis Khaan’s (Genghis Khan’s) legendary empire-busting postal system. Riders change horses every 40km and stay with the local herders or camp under the stars. They will ride up to 160kms a day, navigating independently.
To stand a chance of finishing, riders must balance survival skills and horsemanship. They must endure the elements and semi-wild horses, as well as unfamiliar food and terrain.
Completing the world’s longest horse race is an achievement few can boast. A number of Kiwis have done it (of course): Maxim van Lierde, Ben Wilks, Patrick Sells and Braden Cameron all finished in the top seven in 2015. Chloe Phillips Harris completed it in 2013 and is involved again this year as part of the crew, helping select the horses in June. The actual race starts on August 9, and the final riders are expected to finish by August 18.
