In August 2022 I am competing in the Mongol Derby, a 1000km horse race across Mongolia. This quite frankly bonkers race involves traversing the Steppe at speed on Mongolian ponies, with only my GPS unit and some questionably accurate maps for guidance. En route I change steed every 40km to ensure the horses stay a lot fresher, happier, and healthier, than I’m sure I will. Competitors are only given 10 days to complete the race, and most years only about half the field of approximately 40 riders complete the task. Oh, and I’m only allowed to bring 5kg of gear with me to survive the race. Brilliant.
To make the total destruction of my mind, body and soul feel like a philanthropic undertaking, I am raising money for Steppe and Hoof as part of my adventure. Steppe and Hoof is a non-profit organization which has been set up to help herders and their animals in Mongolia. Climate change and urbanisation is resulting in rapid disappearance of one of the worlds last traditional nomadic lifestyles. The charities goal is to try to save the unique traditions that are part of the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle by giving herders the modern tools and knowledge they need to keep their livestock healthy and productive, including providing veterinary education and supplies. Even more importantly, they are trying to reverse the migration of herders into cities by re-establishing these families in the countryside with their necessary livestock.
Any support to my fundraising is greatly appreciated, and will hopefully give me the push to keep going during my gruelling adventure. Thank you.
For more information on Steppe and Hoof visit their website https://www.steppeandhoof.org
You can follow all the Mongol Derby action by searching Mongol Derby on Facebook, @mongolderby and @meredithjarman on Instagram, and @mongolderbylive on Twitter.
To follow the race live via competitors GPS from 10th August visit https://equestrianists.com/live/
