Mongol Horse Derby

Quick response to today's FHOTD, since my short, polite and respectful responses offering another pov seem to be deleted quickly after they are posted (actually this time they seem to be staying up, surprisingly - I suppose it is due to their being so many dissenting opinions being posted already?). Frustrating. What is even more frustrating though, was reading another blog by Cathy with no serious research and the author goading her sheep to attack other individuals. Name-calling included. Read the comments though, particularly the eighties onward, for some logic and actual knowledge of the situation.

First off - I am not saying that I agree with the Mongol Derby. To take sides would require much more research than simply reading one article (written by the Long Riders Guild after the coordinators of the Mongol Derby contacted the LRG for advice - as one can see, the LRG took every bit of twistable information available on the MD website and successfully twisted it) and reading the event website - including, preferably, actually being there during the race to assess it (or at the very least, obtaining first-hand accounts from vets, participants, and other professionals involved at the time and visiting Mongolia itself).

However, there were a couple of glaringinly-incorrect points from Cathy's blog. The quotes in quotations are from Cathy's blog, the writing in blue are from the event website. My comments are in green.


"These horses aren't going to be fit for anything like this"
We're going to look after these horses like they have never been looked after before. With an extensive veterinary and feeding program running over the months leading up to the race and vet support vehicles to charge in for any emergencies, these will be some of the fittest horses in Mongolia.

We're working with a American veterinary NGO based in Mongolia to run a program of care for the horses before, during and after the race. This network of vets will be assisted by Mongolia's head equine vet and a vet with 32 years of experience flying to Mongolia from the UK for the Derby.
Local horse experts and professional equine veterinarians will assist with the initial selection of horses, then a comprehensive inspection and care program will be carried out from the point of selection until after the race has finished.
They will be monitoring the horses welfare during the build-up to the start of the race, during the race itself at each of the Urtuu horse stations and after each leg of the race.

The Mongol Derby is being staged in collaboration with some of Mongolia's most renowned and respected horsemen and equine veterinarians. Their expert knowledge combined with the logistics put in place by The Adventurists will ensure the horses are properly looked after throughout the adventure. The Adventurists ordinarily specialise in adventures with no back-up or marked route but the Derby is a unique beast. It includes an emergency system with fully trained expert medical proffesionals for the riders in addition to the extensive veterinary provisions for the horses before during and after the race and a GPS tracking system so we know what is going on along the whole route.

According to the event coordinators, these horses will be very well prepared physically for the race. Now, I realise that what is said and what actually happens are at times two different things, but there is no evidence to contradict what the coordinators say will happen. None was certainly provided by Cathy on her blog during her trashing of the event.


"you're putting non-equestrians on them who wouldn't even recognize that a horse was injured or ill"
The riders taking part in the first ever Mongol Derby are all a very marvelous bunch and have spent their lives around horses.

This is the toughest horse race in the world and you will need to be physically fit, in good health and have a good level of riding ability to take part in the Mongol Derby. This does not mean that you once went on a half-day pony trek when you were twelve. It means you are confident in your knowledge of horses and your ability to ride long distances across difficult terrain. You have ridden regularly, understand how to handle horses in general and have a strong understanding of horse welfare. It is vital that you understand the risks involved in taking on such a huge adventure. If at the pre-race training session in Mongolia it becomes apparent that your riding ability is not as stated in your application, the organisers reserve the right to withdraw you from the Mongol Derby without notice, for your own safety and that of the horses. You will also need a good understanding of horse welfare as you will be responsible for each horse you ride. We will have vets on hand throughout the race to deal with any incidents, but it's you who will need to be able to recognise and report anything untoward with your steed.

Even a quick look at the team members reveals that the riders participating who have any sort of info on their page are clearly avid, experienced riders, having ridden from a young age. Championship eventers or dressage riders to polo players. They also tell of the prep work they have already done/are doing, from serious survival courses to training on polo horses. All riders seem to be experienced in the adventure/survival/endurance aspect of things as well as with horses.


"It is obvious you intend to treat them as disposable and that WILL NOT be tolerated."
However as organisers of the race The Adventurists require a financial deposit from the riders to ensure they follow the horse welfare guidelines issued to them to protect the horses. It's imperative that the horses' welfare comes above any aspect of competition and the riders understand that even a minor injury means the horse must not be ridden until a vet has been able to inspect and assess the horse. See the FAQ page for answers to some common questions about the Derby.

(from the FAQ page)
Responsible riding, sound knowledge of horse welfare and the pre-race training will hopefully mean the horses are not injured. However, if your horse sustains even a minor injury you will need to get off and walk it to the next Urtuu. You will receive training on how to spot injuries and assess their severity before the race in Mongolia. If your horse gets seriously injured there will be veterinary backup to come to its rescue. You will also have an emergency beacon that will enable our vets to locate you and the horse, should you find yourself in a pickle.

We don't want to mollycoddle you but we do want to ensure that the horses are safe. So we will have two jeeps with vets in following the race from a distance. You won't see them unless it is an emergency and you will be carrying a GPS beacon to summon their help if need be.


Please do your research, and please please please refrain from passing judgement on an event without any prior research, other than reading one article. There just isn't the evidence provided in Cathy's blog that this is an event she has psyched it up to be. This is not to say for sure that this is a race humane to its horses, but all the evidence thus far does support this claim - and no contradictory evidence is provided in Cathy's blog. It seems like a very well-organised event with much thought as to all aspects, with professionals involved at every step. Since this is the first Mongol Derby to be run, it's difficult to predict the outcome of the race and the jeopardy to the horses (who, keep in mind, were born and raised in this area), but everyone seems well prepared. On the other hand, what sounds fantastic on paper might not be successful in reality. Hopefully this group has indeed done the preparation that they seem to have done and this race is a successful one. Only time will tell.