You will remember that I introduced the Mongol Derby to you several weeks ago (Mongol Derby). Since then of course I’ve been talking about the Mongol Rally. That, however, is now finished and it’s time for the Derby.

There have been several worried persons challenging the idea of this Derby saying that it was cruelty to animals etc. Cruelty to the humans who intended to ride them as well as far as I can remember, but in my view, you don’t put your name down for a race like this, without understanding the potential consequences to your body and therefore the decision to take on a race like this has nothing to do with anyone but yourself… This is my humble opinion only of course!

However, with the Mongol Derby setting off today, it appears that The Adventurists are fully aware of the concern people have for the equine side of this race and have instigated the most stringent veterinary checks and back-up systems.

Cast your mind back to my original article and you will remember that I said this is mooted as the world’s longest horse race – the first of its kind and very likely a Guinness World Record (TM).

However this is not an an endurance race by any definition or, for that matter, by affiliation. The 25 riders are riding over every inch of the 1,000 km’s of wild Mongolian steppe while the horses travel just 40 kilometres each, between each staging post.

Firstly, and primarily, the Derby is intended as an adventure, and secondly as a multi-horse race.

Over 700 Mongolian horses, all carefully selected and checked by veterinarians, will be stationed at the Urtuus along the course awaiting the arrival of our riders. With two weeks to cover the near 1,000 km course, riders are pitted against the most exciting equine adventure on the planet.

An extensive veterinary program has been established to ensure the welfare of the horses remains absolutely paramount from the initial point of horse selection all the way through to the end of the race. GPS satellite tracking will allow expedition medics and on-call veterinarians to respond to riders in an emergency along the route.

As Tom Morgan founder of The Adenturists says: ”

You can’t say the organisers haven’t tried to think of everything.

And finally, as with the Mongol Rally, there is an ulterior motive to this race and this is to raise money for charity projects in Mongolia.

The official charity of the 2009 Mongol Derby is Mercy Corps.

The Adventurists have supported Mercy Corps’ projects all over the world through their other adventures – from India to South America.

Dominic Graham, Mongolia Country Director for Mercy Corps said:

Related posts:

1. A Mongol Derby reminder
2. One week into the race and it’s time to see how the MONGOL DERBY is going…
3. The second Mongol Derby has ended with a Snowy River Gallop to the finish line
4. The Mongol Rally not the Mongol Derby
5. Extreme Dreams, extreme people, extreme challenge – what else could we be talking about but Ben Fogle and the Mongol Derby

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