Endurance.Net 2011 Mongol Derby

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2011 Mongol Derby - the Longest, Toughest Horse Race in the World

The Mongol Derby is the longest, toughest horse race in the world. It's the Khaan's mother of equine adventures, a 1000 km multi-horse race across the epic wilderness of the Mongolian steppe. Its mammoth network of horse stations is a recreation of Chinggis Khaan's legendary empire-busting postal system.

This is a whole new breed of horse racing, the greatest equine adventure on earth. Just you, the vast steppe, the thunder of hooves and 1000 kilometres.

Each year we select and train around 1000 semi-wild Mongolian horses for just 20 or so riders. Each rider tackles the 1000 km adventure, changing steeds every 40 kms as Chinggis' messengers once did. So while the horses skip away as fresh as a daisy you feel the full force of 10 days of saddle pounding and living in the wilderness.

World’s longest horse race comes to nail biting finish

www.theadventurists.com Photo
Asiancorrespondent.co - Full Article

By Jo Lane Aug 23, 2011

The 1,000 kilometre long Mongol Derby of 2011 was won by just two minutes after a 10 day ride across the vast Mongolian steppe on semi-wild horses.

South African rider Craig Egberink claimed the victory even after losing all his kit and equipment just 48 hours into the event.

His victory over Chinese rider Sanbayier (a Mongolian name by all accounts) came just two kilometres before the finish line.

Craig Egberink, eventual winner of the Mongol Derby 2011 on the course. Image from www.theadventurists.com

From travel4press.co.uk:

At the penultimate horse station with just one stage and approximately 40 kilometres to go, four riders set out on the morning of Saturday 13th August to fight it out for the finish line.

Craig Egberink and the three riders from China, David Ha, Bayinmuenke and Sanbayier rode together until they were 12 kilometres from the finish. At that point Sanbayier “decided to make a race of it” according to Craig and when they were just 2 kilometres out there was still nothing separating them until a final tactical decision decided the outcome of the Derby.

As they approached the end a final hill lay between the two leader and victory. “He had some advice to go up the hill and I shot up over it and just beat him to the finish line” explains Craig.

After seven days, 8 riders withdrawing, extreme conditions and around 1000 kilometres of racing across the Mongolian wilderness, Craig won by just two minutes...

The Mongol Derby 2011 Has Been Won

by Mr Tom on: 13 Aug 2011

After a week of adventures, injuries and some of the toughest horse riding in the world we have a winner. Craig Egberink of South Africa who led the field for most of the race has crossed the line in first place. In what turned out to be a nail bitting finish Sanbayier who had been catching up over the last few days of the Derby crossed the line just 2 minutes later to claim second place. Below is the listing at the moment. These take a while to calculate with accuracy as we have to cross check all the results and timings from each station. As soon as we can give you full details we will publish them live here.

All the riders are now at the finish and the 2011 Mongol Derby has come to a close.

1st Craig Egberink
2nd Sanbayier
3rd and 4th Bayinmuenke & David Ha (positions to be confirmed)
5th Jo Dawson

Crossing Sunday around midday was a group of 7 riders (positions to be confirmed):
Owen Patterson
Rose Patterson
Olivia Swingland
Kevin Pricemoor
Richard Allen
Tyga Helme
Jason Tse

Coming in towards the end of Sunday our last 3 riders crossed the line,
Sophia Mangalee
Frederique Schut
Ronald Van Der Velden

Of the 23 riders who started this year's Mongol Derby, only the 15 riders in bold above were still in the competitive race for the finish.

Riders who did not make the finish-line on a horse (they are all fine and most are at the finish line now for the party tonight):
Paul Erskine
Regina Bueno Ros
Borja Jimenez
Cara Barnes
Tommy Tsui
Marcus & Sarah Chenevix-Trench
Barry Armitage

Mongol Derby Trailer

Meanwhile, in Outer Mongolia...

Sluggerotoole.com - Full Article

Pete Baker, Tue 16 August 2011

If you were wondering where the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, was [You were?! - Ed], he’s been in Mongolia [In a yurt! - Ed]. A “ger” actually. The NI Secretary of State is one of 23 riders, including his wife Ruth Paterson, who have taken part in the third Adventurists’ Mongol Derby – a 1,000 km multi-horse race over 10 days on the Mongolian steppes which began on the 6th August using “around 1000 semi-wild Mongolian horses” the Adventurists “select and train”, and changing horses at urtuus spaced at 40km along the 10o0km un-route.

The controversy surrounding the inaugral Mongol Derby in 2009 among endurance riders appears to have alleviated. And the official Derby site does note that the weight limit on equipment was halved in 2010.

There is a 5kg weight limit on equipment, so you’ll have to travel light. This may sound like very little but in 2009 the weight limit was 10 kg and riders soon discovered they needed far less than they had brought with them.

And there were other changes.

In 2009 a world class team of vets from Mongolia, Scotland, New Zealand and South Africa provided superb care for the horses taking part in the Mongol Derby. In 2010 the top class veterinary care will be provided by three emergency response vets from Massey University in New Zealand, as well as our 18 specially trained equine vets from Mongolia.

Though it’s difficult to get confirmation of official statements in such a remote event...

Northern Ireland: Minister's race plan raises £50,000

Belfasttelegraph.co.uk - Full Article
Sunday, 24 July 2011

Almost £50,000 has been raised for injured soldiers and other good causes by the Northern Ireland Secretary's planned participation in the world's longest horse race.

Owen Paterson will ride 1,000km (621 miles) across one of the world's last great wildernesses in the Mongolian steppe next month. The Mongol Derby is modelled on warrior Genghis Khan's legendary system for communicating across his vast empire.

Mr Paterson and his wife Rose have been raising money for the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund, the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries and a Mongolian charity.

He said: "We have been stunned by the generosity of the people of Northern Ireland who have shown really incredible support for the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund. So far we have raised £47,500 and we are tantalisingly close to our goal of £50,000."

Three soldiers from the regiment were killed during their recent tour of Afghanistan and another 16 were severely injured.

The Conservative MP said: "The work of the benevolent fund supporting members, their widows and children is very important. That's why we are delighted that people have given so generously. It is starting to sink in that we are going to be riding 60 miles a day for 10 days on semi-trained horses, which is quite a daunting prospect, so in the final weeks we are really stepping up our training..."