Sometimes, when my days get monotonous, I get the urge to ditch the real world and become one with nature a la Bear Grylls of Man vs. Wild. Then I remember that I dislike walking uphill, have some special scent that seems to be extra appealing to mosquitoes, and that I’m far too much a creature of habit to withstand such a drastic shift in my daily routine.
But, there are still those special few who long for a life-changing experience in the wilderness. For those people - the particularly adventurous ones - I recommend the Mongol Derby, an annual horse race unlike any other.
Riders traverse 1000 kilometers of open land on the Mongolian Steppe, riding semi-wild horses and changing mounts every 40 kilometers. The course is not marked, so adult-amateurs like myself who get lost without jump numbers might have some trouble. There are no beds, no gourmet meals like those available in VIP tents at horse shows, and no guided tours. Just twenty-eight horse stations between the start and finish lines.
43 riders have embarked on the trek this year, with competitors ranging in age from 18 to 70. Participants come from all walks of life, though most have at least some background with horses, like the 24-year-old polo player from South Africa, or the 29-year-old Pony Clubber from Virginia.
Currently in first is third-time Derby participant, Devan Horn, of Texas. Will she be victorious? With the help of Genghis Khan’s ghost, anything is possible.
Feature photo courtesy of the Mongol Derby