Biggest ever field announced for next edition of World's Longest Horse Race across Mongolia
Who will win - a stunt rider from War Horse or a participant of the World Sauna Championships? The Mongol Derby has attracted a diverse bunch of riders for the 2012 race.
31 riders have signed up to race across the Mongolian steppe in August 2012 in what is increasingly becoming recognised as the toughest equestrian adventure race in the world. The Mongol Derby also holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest horse race in existence.
Ranging in age from early twenties to early sixties, the field boasts some remarkable adventuring and equestrian prowess from 11 different countries, including the UK, South Africa, Sweden, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Canada, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.
They include 2 professional jockeys, a stunt rider who recently worked on Spielberg's box office hit War Horse, an international showjumper and a championship 3-day event rider, competitive western riders, polo players, and endurance riders.
Not just equestrian athletes, the field also has veterans of adventures as diverse as the Marathon des Sables, UK Ironman, The World Sauna Championships and the Bull Run at Pamplona. Curious hobbies include gliding, narco-dodging, extreme gardening, white water rafting and bear-tracking.
In total 35 riders are expected to line up in Mongolia this summer, and the final few places are being wrestled for at present. You can still add your hat and spurs to the fray by filling in the Application Form.
Wendy Chambers – 45, Australia
An ex-police woman, Wendy used to dive for leisure before turning pro, and was the Bass strait’s first ever female commercial diver, working for the oil industry. Wendy is also a highly decorated endurance rider, with finishes at the 100-mile Tom Quilty Gold Cup and races in Wadi Rum, Jordan, and several wins at the 'grand prix' distance of 160kms at national level.
Richie Killoran – 25, jump jockey, Ireland
Erstwhile stunt rider on the set of War Horse, Steven Spielberg's film of the Michael Morpugo book. In his day job as a national hunt jockey he has recorded 75 career wins and is a regular conditional jockey for leading trainer Nicky Henderson. In response to the question “how tough are you?”, he responded, “sometimes I don't eat for 3 days straight to make weight. And then go racing”. Enough said.
Jess Pelaez - 29, geologist, USA
Jess has scaled Andean peaks on geologic expeditions, been chased by Mexican drug traffickers, piloted submersibles to the ocean floor, used helicopters to perform research on the world's largest volcanoes, and poked active lava flows with sticks. None of this compares to the excitement she's feeling at the prospect of racing across 1,000km of open Mongolian countryside on horseback. She fully intends to poke said countryside with a stick, just for good measure.
So there you have it, a field of champions, all awaiting a thorough humbling at the hands (hoofs) of the mighty Mongolian steeds, and a dose of heartburn from too much dairy.
Katy - Mongol Derby Chief