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[RC] Mongol "Soap Box" Derby - Bruce WearyI have to admit the Mongol Derby went off better than I thought it would. However, before too many people offer up crow for thoseof us who expressed concern to dine on, consider the article below from Horse and Hound, dated July 31st, which is very near to the start of the race: " Top international endurance _vets <http://equestrian-business-finder.horseandhound.co.uk/directory/subcategory/equine_vets/25511>_ are to assist organisers of the _Mongol Derby <http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/397/284921.html>_ in ensuring the welfare of horses involved in what is being dubbed the "longest, toughest horse race in the world". Last week, H&H reported on the international row that had broken out over concerns that the welfare of 700 horses taking part in the 1,000km race would be compromised (_news, 23 July <http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/286729.html>_). But since then, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stepped in to offer elite veterinary assistance to organisers, via the Mongolian government. On Friday, 24 July, Ian Williams, head of non-Olympic sports for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) met with _Mongol Derby organisers <http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/286729.html>_ on a "fact-finding" mission for the UAE. "The UAE expressed a wish to provide high-level veterinary care, so we wanted a full briefing on provisions for the horses," he told H&H. "It hasn't been finalised, but the UAE would like to provide a mobile equine hospital, along with international endurance _vets <http://equestrian-business-finder.horseandhound.co.uk/directory/subcategory/equine_vets/25511>_ to assess the horses before they race, and as they arrive at the urtuus [stations]." Starting on 22 August, 25 riders will race nomadic horses for nearly 1,000 km across Mongolia. The typically 12-14hh horses will be chosen by horse trainers and _breeders <http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/stallionsandstuds/index.php?ctxt=breedingnews>_, and inspected by _vets <http://equestrian-business-finder.horseandhound.co.uk/directory/subcategory/equine_vets/25511>_ before taking part — and each will be ridden for no further than 40km. A UAE vet will shortly travel to Mongolia to assess the horses that have been chosen for the race. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent of The Adventurists, which is organising the race in conjunction with Mongolian organisation the Tengri Group, said they were "thrilled" with the offer of assistance. "It's an amazing offer — the event can essentially stay the same for the riders, but the horses will be looked after like kings," she said. " No wonder it succeeded so well. It is quite clear to me that the outwardly expressed concerns of horse people the world over, however enthusiastic, ultimately led to the UAE offering top notch veterinary care and a mobile equine hospital. As noted above, the head organizer was "thrilled with the offer of assistance." That tells me that they sensed a need to protect the horses that had not been fulfilled by their own efforts, but rather came from the outside, ostensibly in part due to the expression of concerns heard 'round the world. I can't ever be made to feel bad about offering judicious caution over situations that MAY cause harm to a horse. Bruce Weary =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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