The Gaucho Derby—deemed the “greatest test of horsemanship on Earth”—challenges riders’ wilderness survival and navigational skills as they race through of a network of estancias in the wilds of Patagonia (not to mention the test of camping outside each night).   

And for those brave enough to attempt it, these races are life-changing.

How Jessie Dowling’s Derby Preparation Began

In 2022, 40-year-old Jessie Dowling, an industrious cheesemaker and dairy farmer in Whitefield, Maine, was listening to a podcast while milking sheep and goats—unaware that soon she would embark on her own life-changing adventure, competing in the 2023 Mongol Derby.  

As president of the Maine Cheese Guild and owner of Fuzzy Udder Creamery, Dowling’s schedule was grueling. The pandemic forced her to think about where her life was going as a farmer and her happiness. She began spending more time with her horses—riding, training, attending clinics—and listening to podcasts.  

“I had heard of the Mongol Derby but thought it was for professional riders—I’m a backyard rider” Dowling says. “But on Warwick Schiller’s podcast, Stevie Delahunt talked about signing up for her Mongol Derby boot camp in Oregon—and I decided to do it.”

Dowling applied for the Mongol Derby, trained with endurance riders in Maine, completed her first limited-distance ride in 2022, and interviewed for the Mongol Derby the following day. “I told them I completed my first distance ride, was signed up for the Mongol boot camp, and they said I was in.”  

“I had zero endurance riding experience,” Dowling says. “I arrive at boot camp in Oregon; Warwick Schiller is there training for the Gaucho Derby. I went from listening to his podcasts in my milking parlor to riding Arabians with him.”

Falling in love with Arabians in the process, Dowling immediately acquired an Arabian gelding, Jelly Bean, as her new Mongol Derby training partner. “He has taught me so much about staying present, reading a horse’s energy, and regulating my energy.” 

Jessie Dowling and Jelly Bean. Photo by Julie Maddock

Her year-long Derby preparation included running, yoga, completing farm chores wearing a hydration pack, using a balance board to strengthen muscles, and a three-day intensive riding clinic with Solange Ellis. “She totally changed how I ride with biomechanic adjustments—sitting a gallop and riding in stable positions for long periods.”

The Mongolian steppe is covered with little marmot holes. “I learned how to sit back as the horse falls into a marmot hole, picks themselves up, and keeps going,” Dowling says. She also learned to ride Western and fast over all terrain. “You’re galloping for miles at a time.”   

In addition to improving these various riding skills, Dowling took Mongolian language lessons and carefully planned her gear.

“You’re only allowed 11 pounds,” Dowling says. “I had a little saddle bag, a hydration pack, med kit, water purification tablets, snacks, two sets of clothes, rain gear, and comfortable hiking shoes.” She traveled to Mongolia and arrived at the starting line.  

The Adventure Begins

“On an average day, the topography changes a lot—mountains, lakes, rivers, rolling hills, grasslands,” Dowling says. “You pass freely roaming cows, sheep, goats, horses, a herd of camels.”  

Dowling gallops past a herd of sheep and goats. Photo courtesy The Equestrianists

Riding 12 hours a day works up an appetite. There’s no Panera along the route; Dowling quickly adapted to the local food provided by host families at the urtuu—the horse stations. “The diet is one of the hardest parts,” Dowling says. “They eat parts of the sheep that we don’t normally eat—intestines or sheep face.” She often snacked on traditional meat pies throughout the day.  

The race rules are strictly enforced, prioritizing the horses’ well-being and the riders’ safety. “Race hours start at 7 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. If you arrive at a horse station by 7 p.m., you give your horse back to the herder, enjoy some food, and sleep in a ger. But if it’s 5 p.m. and you realize you can’t make it to the next station by 7 p.m., you must find a random ger to stay in. But hospitality is huge in Mongolian culture—they usually invite you to stay and feed you if you show up at a ger.” 

Dowling and fellow riders enjoy dinner with a Mongolian family in a traditional ger. Photo courtesy The Equestrianists

On day five, Dowling came off her horse while attempting to put on a rain jacket. She was unable to get back on her flighty mount. “We were walking and walking; I couldn’t find a ger,” Dowling says. “I had to stop at 7 p.m. or else get penalized. So I watched the sunset with my horse; it was beautiful.” She messaged the vet who came to complete the required check on her horse, who she helped Dowling get water and find a ger to stay in that night. Per race rules, Dowling incurred a 2-hour penalty for receiving assistance.  

You Get the Derby You Need

A network of Mongolian herders provide hundreds of horses for the race. 

“You ride 29 different horses during the race,” Dowling says. “It’s a lottery which horse you get. Each horse goes 40 km (25 miles). At each horse station, a vet checks the horse’s heart rate. It must come down to 56 bpm within a half hour. They have the highest standards of ethical welfare for a horse. The vet checks the horse’s gut sounds and gait. A rider gets penalized if there’s any problem with the horse. You can’t override your horse. The race taught me how to rate a horse—a horse will help you know its fitness if you really listen to it.”  

At horse station 2, Dowling kisses her horse goodbye, returning him to his proud owner. Photo courtesy The Equestrianists

Horse’s temperaments are another challenge many riders face during the journey, but this was an area in which Dowling shined.

“Some had trouble with their horse being spicy, but my superpower is that I love every horse I come across” Dowling says. “So, I would just take a deep breath, tell them that I loved them, find the spot they liked to be scratched, and connect with them.”

Dowling lets her horse stop for a drink on day three. Photo courtesy The Equestrianists

As for expectations, be prepared to be humbled. 

“People say you don’t get the Derby you want—you get the Derby you need,” Dowling says. Although she never reached her breaking point, day eight came close. “It’s mostly geldings—just a handful of stallions. On day eight, I pulled a stallion. Never riding a stallion before, I was a bit nervous. I headed out with other riders, tried to keep up, but he kept going slower. It was like he had never cantered before. Then we were down to a slow trot. Then a walk. I’m now the last rider. And if you get too far behind, you’ll get kicked out of the race.

“So I arrive at the only town on the race, and after eating boiled mutton face for a week, I had hopes of joining other riders at a café for chips and a beer… no other riders were there. Then my stallion would not walk over the bridge leaving town. An interpreter nearby helped by leading me across the bridge like I was on a pony ride. And he takes a picture. It was so embarrassing.

“At the next station, my horse checks out fine. I check the hospitality ger—all the food is gone. I just burst into tears. I took a deep breath, headed out to the horse line, and I picked number five. The herder had been waiting for someone to pick his prized horse all day. And I end up getting on the fastest horse! And that boy and I went straight out, galloping across the desert steppe, passed other riders, arrived at the next station less than two hours later, and I was back in the race.”

 Talk about getting the Derby you need.

“That day was the worst and best part of the race,” Dowling says. “I was hungry, demoralized, tired—but never gave up.” 

Leaving station 28, Jessie gallops across the Mongolian steppe towards the finish line. Photo courtesy The Equestrianists

Forty-three riders started the race, only 25 finished, and Dowling placed 13th. She says the experience was life-changing. “I went from an intermediate rider to an advanced rider. Spending 12 hours a day in the saddle on difficult horses, I feel light years ahead in my riding,” Dowling says. “So I got home. The next week, our farm’s cheese wins Best in Show at the Maine Cheese Festival, but I felt hollow inside. I realized this wasn’t what I wanted to do anymore.” 

She promptly sold her business to pursue an equestrian career full-time—with zero regrets.

Dowling accepts ceremonial milk at the finish line. Photo courtesy The Equestrianists

Dowling celebrated by riding the Tevis Cup—a 100-mile, one-day race in California. She opened Iron Ledge Farm, offering lessons and endurance training. Dowling visited Argentina to start training for her next adventure—the Gaucho Derby, which runs from February 18 to 28, 2026. Because the Gaucho Derby involves camping along the route, Dowling is figuring out how to pack a tent, stove, camping gear, and riding essentials in a saddle bag weighing no more than 22 pounds. “The Mongol Derby is the longest race in the world, but the Gaucho Derby has been called the toughest.”  

 And if anyone is up for the challenge, it’s Jessie Dowling.

Learn more about Jessie Dowling and her equine adventures by visiting ironledgefarm.com and following her on Facebook.   

This article about Jessie Dowling’s Mongol Derby is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post How Jessie Dowling’s Mongol Derby Adventure Paved the Way to More appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Julie Veloo

Gobi Gallop

Just 12 years ago, however, Veloo had never been astride a horse. She tried it for the first time at age 50 when she and her husband, Chelvan Veloo, first moved to Mongolia.

“I was already learning the language,” says Julie. “I realized if I was going to understand this culture and history, I was going to have to sit on a horse. I thought, ‘If these kids can do it, how hard can it be?’ Twenty-however-many times of falling off later—it can be hard! But I was determined to ride.”

Seventeen riders, aged 27 to 70, spent 84 days on an ultimate riding excursion across Mongolia, raising money for the underprivileged local population. Photo courtesy Julie Veloo

Her persistence paid off, and by 2013, she and a group of six friends rode 707 kilometers for fun across the Gobi Desert over nine days, in what officially became known as the inaugural Gobi Gallop.

The idea of a making it a fundraiser in subsequent years added purpose to it, with international riders participating and raising extra money for the Veloo Foundation, averaging roughly $75,000 each year.

Specifically, the Veloos’ Children of the Peak recipient charity aims to stop survival garbage dump-scavenging before it becomes generational. Partnering with M. Batsaikhan (Baagii) and B. Sarantuya (Saraa) of Horse Trek Mongolia, they created and implemented it together.

Blue Wolf Totem Expedition

The 10 years of success with the Gobi Gallop developed into a more ambitious adventure: the cross-Mongolia, three-month Blue Wolf Totem Expedition ride.

After nearly three months on horseback together, riders on the Blue Wolf Totem Expedition were bonded for life through the amazing experience. Photo by Heidi Telstad

“I tried to get everything in: the pre-history, the Silk Road, Genghis Khan, the eagle hunters, the reindeer people, deer stones, and burial sites,” says Julie. “Archaeology lives on the land here. And you can still go out and see it. Anywhere else on the planet [that] would be fenced off.”

The 17 riders, ranging in age from 27 to 70, were accompanied by some 20 support crew and a herd of around 40 horses, which were often contracted from local herdsmen. Riders averaged 50 km per day (31 miles) with a day off every 10 days, and rode through the Gobi desert, the steppes, the Altai mountains, glaciers and enormous valleys, visiting with all five Mongolian tribes.

Full of Surprises

For Australian endurance and dressage rider Duncan McLaughlin, everything fell into place as though the ride was meant to be.

“I was intrigued by the long ride in pretty country,” he says. “I was always interested in different aspects of horsemanship, so I thought it would be really interesting to go to the home of horsemanship to learn more about the horse culture there.

“Once the Mongolian horses get going down the trail, they’re really steady, so sensible, and hyper-aware of their surroundings, even though they seem super quiet.”

Bayan Ulgii Province is one of the largest petroglyph sites in the world, and is close to the 3,600-km mark at the finish of the ride. Photo courtesy Julie Veloo

As for the people, McLaughlin was surprised.

“It’s a very showy culture,” he says. “You think they’re going to be subdued because you think of Genghis Khan and that stern, very self-contained face. But they’re very flamboyant people. And that big blue sky. It’s phenomenal.”

Self-Discovery

Endurance and trail rider and horse trainer Jill McKenzie of Georgia (USA) felt the pull to visit Mongolia when she saw a fellow endurance rider astride a reindeer in Mongolia. Her research revealed the Veloo Foundation and the Gobi Gallop.

Julie Veloo astride a reindeer; visiting the reindeer herdsmen was a highlight for many of the riders. Photo courtesy Julie Veloo

She applied and qualified to ride in that event, but when the Blue Wolf Totem Expedition was announced, she knew she had to participate.

“I wanted to grow and stretch myself, both in my riding and personally,” says McKenzie.

Visiting with the reindeer people was one of her most spectacular memories.

“Riding up to the reindeer people was magical,” she recalls. “We felt like we were on top of the world because it was so high up. You’d see this beautiful, colorful tepee surrounded by holly bushes and wild oak, and then all around you were these beautiful white reindeer. I did get to ride one. It was amazing!

“I learned a lot about myself,” McKenzie continues. “In times of trials, I have a lot of discipline.”

For many riders, one big challenging issue was chafing from riding in the traditional Mongolian saddles.

“We came up with ‘Chafe for Charity,’” she laughs. “I’ve done hard things, but I’m tougher than I thought. And the camaraderie was amazing. I felt a kinship at different times with different people. The 17 of us are bonded for life because of what we went through together.”

McKenzie gained great respect for the Mongolian horse.

“I would consider this the capstone to my horse career,” she says.

Escape to Mongolia

Endurance rider Heidi Telstad of British Columbia, Canada, had yearned to get back to Mongolia ever since winning the Mongol Derby in 2016.

After winning the Mongol Derby in 2016, Heidi Telstad decided she wanted to slow down and see the country in richer detail. Photo by Heidi Telstad

“The Mongol Derby is such an exciting event, but definitely fast-paced, so I felt like I missed out on the Mongolian culture and beauty,” she says. At 1,000 km (621 miles), that race is deemed the longest in the world. “This three-month trek sounded like an opportunity to finally fulfill that dream.”

With an excess of stress at home, Telstad was looking for an escape. She found it in this epic adventure.

“Highlights were getting to see every inch of Mongolia,” she says. “If you ever want to really see a country, ride horses across it. The most magical [sight] was coming upon this huge sand dune in northwest Mongolia. There was a river running underneath it!”

With almost three months to ride through the country, participants could get a much more thorough sampling of the culture and landscape. Photo courtesy Julie Veloo

The Last Day of the Mongolian Trek

Even for Julie—who figures she has now ridden more than 50,000 career miles—the wonderment of this long expedition never wore off, even though she knew exactly what was coming up ahead of the group.

“Every day, it would get better and better,” she says. “The route was so spectacular. The last full day of riding, we were heading up to the highest peak in Mongolia. You start in this big open valley along the Milk River, which flows from the glacier at the end point, surrounded by towering mountains. You can feel the echoes of history, and that humanity has used this valley for these amazing spiritual purposes since forever.

“I was out of my mind with how incredible it was,” she continues. “It is magic beyond comprehension.”

On this final day, the group crossed the 3,600-km mark.

“I was riding by myself, because you know it’s coming to an end, but it’s such an incredible crescendo,” Julie says. “And I didn’t really expect that it was going to be such a big thing to cross 3,600 kilometers, but when it actually happened—when this random number ticked over on the GPS, and you know you pulled it off—it’s indescribable. Everybody’s had this unimaginable, spiritual, completely mind-altering time. You’re in this pristine wilderness, and everyone started crying and hooting and hollering at the fact that we had done it.”

Crowning the event was the charity aspect of helping people in need.

“We raised just under $150,000,” Julie says. “It’s an amazing thing to go do something like this and to help kids at the same time. Now we have two kindergartens, a summer camp, community library, and a sewing center. We provide employment for [approximately] 40 people, and this money will help continue these projects.”

Funds raised by the expedition go toward local causes in Mongolia: two kindergartens, a summer camp, community library, and a sewing center. Photo by Heidi Telstad

The post Mongolia Trek on Horseback for Charity appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Gaucho Derby winners at the finish line. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

An eight-day-plus, 500km multi-horse adventure race, The Gaucho Derby travels through the mountains and pampas of Patagonia and is unlike any other horse race on the planet, a test of much more than simply ‘who can go fastest’.

Part of the Equestrianists Series, which also includes The Mongol Derby (the longest horse race in existence), The Gaucho Derby is based on the landscape, culture, history and horses of Patagonia and, or course, the Gauchos themselves. Crossing through high mountains, riders have to contend with both tricky terrain and unpredictable weather, ensuring the event is more than just a test of riders’ skills on a horse, pushing navigational skills, physical stamina and an ability to handle the wilderness (with riders camping out most nights) to the limit.

Gauchos at work. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

Riding endurance horses for the first few days of the race, when the land levels, riders must swap horses for faster riding, but still remain mindful of not pushing their horses too hard, for fear of penalties.

“We would rather nobody wins than someone wins by pushing too hard. Riders seen making bad decisions, riding too fast across difficult terrain or not presenting horses in great condition will get penalties or be disqualified,” said Tom Morgan, The Equestrianists founder.

The end result: ‘the greatest test of horsemanship and wilderness skills on Earth’.

This was the third time the Gaucho Derby’s run, with Covid causing a break in proceedings, and 39 riders, from nine different nations, lined up at this year’s start line.

The race began on February 8 and from the off, riders learned that the environment in Patagonia can be a cruel mistress, as they faced the prospect of riding through a sandstorm. This slowed things down and no one was able to break away from the pack during the first day’s riding, with riders split between vet stations two and three as night fell. The end of the day’s riding was far from the end of the riders’ day however, as they took on the crucial responsibility of tending to their horses, ensuring they were well-fed, hydrated, and comfortably settled for the night, before setting up camp (riders carry their own tents, food and equipment) and preparing a ‘delightful’ dehydrated meal. This self-sufficiency is a hallmark of the journey, with riders managing their daily activities independently, without reliance on others or the support crew.

A sandstorm rolls in. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

Day two saw six riders finally make headway on the rest of the pack, but their lead was short lived, as scorching temperatures and a complete lack of wind, made the going tough the following day. 16 riders spent the night together between vet stations seven and eight at the end of day three.

With the horse settled, it’s time to set up camp. Featuring Josephine Jammaers from Belgium. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

It wasn’t until day five that another breakaway occurred, with Gaucho Derby veteran Daniel Van Eden (Netherlands), endurance athlete Holly Masson (United Kingdom) and Mongol Derby veteran Rendel Rieckmann (Germany) breaking away from the pack. The trio carried the lead forward over the following three days, although at one point it looked like Daniel and Rendel would be able to get a lead over Holly, after she received a two hour riding penalty, but the pair decided to wait for her.

“Honestly, it was exhausting to constantly look over your shoulder every 10 minutes and see them chasing you,” said Rendel. “Eventually, at one of the stations, we collectively made the decision to ride together and finish as a team. It has truly been a massive relief and a much more enjoyable race since we decided to work together.”

Rendel Rieckmann leading the way through some tricky ground. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

It was these three riders who went on to claim the joint title of Gaucho Derby winners, on day eight, but only after a very tense wait at the finish line…

Midway through the race, at the Meseta de la Muerte (Plateau of Death), a fierce storm rolled in and, in consideration of the well-being of the horses and riders, the race directors opted to pause the race until it was deemed safe to proceed. At the time, Daniel, Holly and Rendel were in the lead and were given a two-hour ‘credit’ once the race had restarted.

Hot on the heels of the three riders, through the latter stages of the race, were French men Nathanael Bienvenu and Olivier Picard (who rode together throughout). They actually managed to cross the finish line first, but had to wait to see whether there was more than two hours between them and Daniel, Holly and Rendel. Unfortunately, for the French riders, there wasn’t and the trio were crowned champions of a race that will forever be etched in their minds for the scenery they rode through, the people they met, the weather and challenges they faced and, of course, the horses they rode.

Not only was the race an incredible success for all those involved, but it also helped raise thousands of dollars for various charities across the world.

For more details on the race visit www.equestrianists.com.

The winners taking a chance to extend their lead. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

Gaucho Derby Winners’ Q&A

Rendel Rieckmann (Germany)

What was the most exciting part of this whole event?
There were so many exciting moments, like flying over the bushes with these amazing horses or the small things like realizing that the navigation plan, which was done the night before, really worked out well. However, the most exciting part was for sure to ride as a team and scream and shout together, whether it’s because of highs or lows.

How was it riding as a team? Did you have different roles i.e. navigator, campsite selector, etc.?
Riding as a team was essential. You hear it often, but it’s simply true: I could not have finished alone and it would be a hell lot less fun. Dan always kept his cool to keep going and had great experience from the last Derby, Holly’s drive, cheer up capability and major path finding skills and my technical and nav contribution made an amazing team. In the end it all blended a bit together as we learned a lot from each other.

How were the horses?
We were lucky with the full range of Patagonia’s beauties: from the rather relaxed and calm friends, which were easy to camp with, to the spicy rodeo ones where you wanted to take watches at night to make sure everything is OK. Every one of them became kind of a friend along the way.

What was your emotional roller coaster like during the race?
I’m not sure if this roller coaster would pass German regulatories. This much of up and down was hard to handle. There were parts when every hour basically we thought completely different from winning to not even being able to make it to the finish line. I literally wanted to quit 30km before the finish line and call it a day after we rode 10km in the national park, which was the wrong way. An hour later we saw we can still make it and the spark was back on.

It’s billed as the Toughest Horse Race. Was it really?
The first two thirds were hard but still manageable with treating yourself well with food, water and sleep. After that, it became mentally and physically very exhausting. I remember a scene when after hitting almost nine hours of mountain climbing, impassable forest, searching for gates in the labyrinths of fences and running through never ending bog fields we were partly falling on the ground begging it to end. So I guess it was quite hard!

What kept you going when you were your most exhausted?
Holly’s enthusiasm and just being a wonderful friend.

Daniel Van Eden (Netherlands)

What was the most exciting part of this whole event?
Hard to name one specific moment. Riding into the vet check where my accident happened last time and leading the race was special. The scenic terrain after Sierra Nevada was beautiful. Going over the finish and putting a checkmark to what started about four years ago felt great. I’m also proud to have finished without vet penalties.

How was it riding as a team? Did you have different roles i.e. navigator, campsite selector etc.?
Working as a team can be intense, especially with the pressure of the race and issues with the horses Holly was riding. I think in the end the team worked great because we all added different things to the team.

How were the horses?
Big, small. Some calm, some wild. Better in climbing up mountains than us. They all were beautiful. Because of how they are held, they are more social than the horses back home.

What was your emotional roller coaster like during the race?
I wasn’t expecting it to be such an emotional roller coaster — especially the part where we had crossed into the national park and had to backtrack.

It’s billed as the Toughest Horse Race. Was it really?
Yes. Especially because it needs so many different skills, physically and mentally. Horse riding, navigation, team work, finding fences, camping out, hot weather (while all of us were prepared for cold weather).

What kept you going when you were your most exhausted?
Teammates. Also other riders. And the vets, medics and other people manning the vet checks and horse stations.

— Edited Press Release

The post 2024 Gaucho Derby: Trio Claims Victory in the Greatest Test of Horsemanship and Survival Skill on Earth appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo by Stunning Steeds Photo

Imagine gliding down the trail, oblivious to rough terrain, without worrying about hours spent in the saddle causing back pain. This isn’t just a dream for the fortunate owners of Paso Fino horses. Born with a naturally smooth gait that creates almost no movement for the rider, they’re the perfect way to travel down the trail, especially over long distances.

Developed in the Caribbean and Latin America from Spanish horses that were imported to the Americas, the Paso Fino is known for its smooth, four-beat lateral gait, which can be performed at three speeds. The classic fino is slow in forward movement, but the feet take very quick steps. The paso corto has medium speed and stride. The paso largo moves forward the fastest, with a longer stride.

The Paso Fino is prized for its gentle spiritedness and incredible stamina. The combination makes for a popular trail and endurance horse.

Today’s Paso Fino Horse

Today, the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) has over 60,000 registered horses and 3,500 members in 21 regions.

Recently, the PFHA held the International Mundial Championships in Miami, Fla., where horses from Colombia, Puerto Rico, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, and the U.S. competed. Classes were streamed on the USEF Network, with over 80,000 views from around the world—the most-watched event the network has ever had.

Trail riding is so popular within the breed that the PFHA created the Trail Horse Test Program. This gives riders a chance to demonstrate their Paso Fino horse’s skill at trail obstacles through a series of tests. It’s not a competition, but rather a way to gauge a horse’s ability to “complete tasks normally performed before, during, and after a trail ride.” There are three different levels—junior, senior and master—and awards are earned after successfully completing each level.

Keith Andries on his Paso Fino stallion, Capella. Capella was named a PFHA Master Trail Horse. Photo courtesy Virginia Frost

The PFHA has other recreational rider programs that reward Paso Fino owners who hit the trails. These programs include awards for recreational riding, competitive trail, endurance rides, long-distance pleasure rides, and more.

The Inside Scoop

Virginia Frost is a volunteer with the PFHA and on the board of directors representing the Virginia region. She is the chair of the amateur committee and serves on the Recreational Rider committee that administers the Trail Horse Test Program.

“In 2020, we had 40 horses participate in the Trail Horse Test Program,” she says. “This was our way to recognize and praise ‘just a trail horse.’”

Lynda Zimmerman from Minnesota has owned five Paso Fino horses since learning about the breed in a profile assignment for a science class.

“Their willing temperament, smaller size and reputation for being sensible, sure-footed trail horses appealed to me, as I was an adult student and not getting any taller or younger,” she says.

One mare she owned, Lluvia del Norte (Zia), earned the Rookie of the Year for PFHA, Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Rides Association (UMECRA) and Minnesota Distance Riding Association (MnDRA) in 2010.

For over nine years, Lynda and Zia competed in the PFHA Limited Distance category, documenting over 2,0000 miles before Zia retired at 20 years old. She was also a show horse, earning her PFHA Supreme Merit Award. In endurance, Zia shined as well, being a two-time PFHA Reserve Champion in Endurance/Limited Distance with many Top Tens.

Lynda Zimmerman rides HDR Petrolero de Nevado, a three-time PFHA High Point Endurance/Limited Distance Award winner, at the 25-mile Mosquito Run endurance ride in Minnesota. Photo by Bob Zimmerman

Zimmerman continues to do endurance and trail riding with her younger Paso, accumulating thousands of miles and many awards along the way. HDR Petrolero de Nevado, a gelding of hers, is a three-time PFHA High Point Endurance/Limited Distance Award winner.

“All three of my competition Pasos have had great ability due to their light, athletic body types, which allow them to meet the pulse criteria for qualified finishes, but their biggest attributes are their heart and willingness,” Zimmerman says.

Donna Hajek and Sundancers Comanchero. He has been doing 25-mile limited distance rides with AERC since 2016. In 2018, they started doing NATRC competetive trail rides. Photo by Becky Pearman

Donna Hajek from South Carolina fell in love with Paso Fino horses for their smooth gait, intelligence, and how they bond with humans.

“Paso Finos are very versatile, going to a show one weekend, then going out to trail ride, competitive distance riding or endurance riding the following weekend,” she explains. Hajek and her Paso Fino Sundancers Comanchero has been doing 25-mile Limited Distance rides with the American Endurance Ride Conference since 2016.

To learn more about the Paso Fino, visit the Paso Fino Horse Association website or the American Paso Fino Horse Association.

This article about Paso Fino horses appeared in the August 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Paso Fino appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Matthew Perella in full flow. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

Based on the ancient horse messenger system used by Genghis Khan — in a country where the horse is king — at 1,000 kilometers, the Derby is the toughest test on the planet for equestrian endurance riders. Whilst horses are changed roughly every 35km, at checkpoints strung out throughout the country, riders must endure being in the saddle for up to 200km a day and face the challenges of riding over 28 different semi-wild horses. The riders must face the animals’ varying temperaments and bucking abilities, and the inevitable falls and mishaps that happen along the way while navigating through challenging terrain, including giant sand dunes and freezing mountain passes.  

Riders with their steeds during the 2023 Mongol Derby. Pakistani rider Omer Hayat Khan in the foreground. Photo by Shari Thompson

The thirteenth edition of the Mongol Derby kicked off on August 2 and looked set to be a firecracker from the off, with 42 riders from 11 different nations competing for the prestigious win. 

Watch this recap of day one of the Mongol Derby.

Day one saw Spanish rider Xavier Ferrer riding at the front of the pack for most of the day, but he wasn’t in the lead as evening fell. Having had a reversal of fortune when he abruptly parted ways with his horse en route to HS3 (horse station 3), Xavier had to hitch a ride back to HS2. This left German rider Judith Jaeckle at the front of the race as night fell.  

Judith Jaeckle getting ready to ride. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

Over the next eight days, Judith was never far from the front of the race and showed true horsemanship skills by never having to redraw a horse (new to the race this year, every horse station was a ‘lotto’, meaning riders had to ride the horse they were given, rather than picking a horse themselves, testing their horsemanship all the more. You could, however, choose to ‘redraw’ a maximum of three times in the race if you didn’t like the look of the horse you were first given). 

Erdene-Ochir Uuganbayar winner of the August 2022 Mongol Derby, was a host at one of this year’s horse stations. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

The real battle of the race would come on its final stretch, as Swedish rider Linda Hermann — who had been in a game of cat and mouse with Judith over the previous days — finally managed to overtake the German rider to take the lead. . . but only just, and it certainly wasn’t a two-horse race. Hot on the ladies’ tails was American Marine Matthew Perrella, whose navigation prowess and luck of the draw with some seriously fast racehorses, now put him in contention for the Mongol Derby win. 

As it came down to the last two horse stations, Linda found herself deep in a bog. Luckily she and her horse were fine, but it was a very tense moment and a vet team was dispatched before her horse was cleared to continue. This slowed the Swedish rider down, and allowed Judith and Matt to both gain ground, riding on very fast horses. It was down to the wire, but Linda was able to make it to the final horse station, before the finish line. She cleared the vet check (these checks happen at every checkpoint to ensure all horses are OK and haven’t been ridden too hard), and remounted on a seriously fit racehorse while still in the lead. The win seemed hers, as long as her horse passed the final vet check at the finish line. 

A rather spirited horse. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

But Judith and Matt had other ideas and reached the final horse station almost within eyesight of Linda. They both changed horses swiftly. With Matt on one of the most feral and fastest horses on the course, he crossed the finish line shortly after Linda, with Judith a mere few minutes behind him. 

With bated breath, everyone waited for Linda’s vet check to clear (a penalty would lead to her losing the win), but finally the news came that her horse’s heart rate was below the 56 beats per minute requirement and the win was hers. Matt and Judith cleared their vet checks shortly after crossing, with Matt claiming second place and Judith third. 

Judith Jaeckle galloping across Mongolia’s steppe. Photo by Kathy Gabriel

Not only was the race an incredible success for all those involved, but it also helped raise a huge amount of money for charity. The Mongol Derby to date has raised over $1 million for charities, with each rider asked to raise funds for good causes. Among them was the race’s official charity partner, Steppe and Hoof, whose objective is to support the herders and their animals while working to save the unique traditions that are part of the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle as it comes under fire from climate change and urbanization.  

Matthew Perella was also raising money for The Righteous Life Rescue Ranch, which he founded to help retired horses and death row dogs, as well as to provide equine therapy to veterans with PTSD, those with special needs, and anyone seeking inner peace and overall improved health.   

For more details on the Mongol Derby, visit www.equestrianists.com.  

Comments from Winner Linda Hermann at the Mongol Derby Finish Line

Linda on being stuck in the bog en route to the last horse station: 

“I had a lot of pressure today. . . but [the horse] just got up and nothing was wrong with him. The vet cleared him and we continued to the final station.” 

Linda on her favorite part of the race: 

“Riding alone.” 

Linda on expectation vs. reality:

“The rodeos at the horse station, I expected that, and I got it. Most notably being kicked in the stomach.”

Linda on the horses she raced on: 

“The thing is, when you’re going so fast on some of these horses, there’s a feeling that, ‘If my horse trips, I am dead,’ but they didn’t trip. The risk and the feeling was just incredible.”

— Edited Press Release

The post Mongol Derby: Second place for U.S. Marine veteran in the world’s toughest horse race appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

For centuries, the ancestors of today’s Arabians were carefully bred by the Bedouin tribes of the Sahara Desert. Used for war and for traveling long distances, these horses lived in close quarters with their nomadic keepers, sharing their tents on cold nights and developing deep bonds.

Kingsman SWF (Magnum Psyche x Vona Sher-Renea), owned by Stonewall Farm, LLC and Vona Huggins. Photo by Suzanne Sturgill

Life in the harsh desert meant only the strongest of these horses survived. The results were the development of a breed with a large lung capacity and great endurance that can travel for miles without stopping, with the heart and spirit to match.

In more recent times, Arabian horses have contributed their ancient genes to help create and refine other breeds. The Thoroughbred, Andalusian, Welsh Pony and American Quarter Horse are just a few of the breeds that owe their influence to the Arabian horse.

An Arabian Horse Ambassador

What does it mean to live with a horse whose heritage is considered the oldest and purest of all of the breeds? Husband-and-wife team Lee Pearce and Naomi Preston of Baker City, Ore., know the answer.

They have shared the past 17 years with a purebred Arabian gelding named Fire Mt Malabar, who has proven to possess the endurance famous in his breed. Named the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) 2019 Hall of Fame Equine, “Mal” is 22 years old and still competing in endurance.

Lee Pearce and Fire Mt Malabar won a Heavyweight Division National Championship 100-mile ride and National Best Condition Championship. Photo by Steve Bradley

Mal started life as a racehorse, running more than 50 races by the time he was retired at age 5.

“Naomi saw a classified ad for him in the AERC Endurance News,” says Pearce. “She said, ‘If you want a champion, take a look at this horse Malabar.’ She knew his owner and his bloodlines, and that his sire, Sierra Fadwah+/, was the 1992 AERC Hall of Fame equine. Sierra Fadwah was one of the top sires in the sport, producing many outstanding endurance horses.”

Arabian Endurance

After bringing him home, Pearce and Preston spent two years conditioning Mal for his first endurance ride in 2006. Although Mal had no prior endurance training, the Arabian horse breed made him a natural for the sport.

“He had total ‘race brain’ for the first 25 miles and went much faster than I had planned,” says Pearce. “We spent the remaining 25 miles trying to preserve as much energy as we could to keep him going.”

Three years into his endurance career, Mal was still challenging Pearce with his racing mindset, but won his first ride and received two best condition (BC) awards, the most coveted title next to an outright win.

The Arabian is unmistakeable with an elegant, arched neck, dished face, small muzzle and large eyes. Photo by Tamara Didenko/shutterstock

“That’s when I knew he was something special,” says Pearce, who notes that over the years, the horse kept getting stronger and stronger while carrying his heavyweight rider, and seemed to love his job.

“He started to excel at longer rides, including 75, 80 and 100 miles, and won the Heavyweight Division [riders 211 pounds and over] in the 2013 National Championship 100-mile ride,” says Pearce.

Finding His Stride

Throughout the years, Mal started chalking up lots of BC awards and won the National Best Condition Championship in 2011 and second place in 2015. The athletic ability and quick recovery that the Arabian horse is known for helped Mal achieve longterm success in the sport.

“To date, Mal has won 48 best condition awards, displaying not only his strength, but his ability to shine after the ride is completed,” says Pearce. The horse currently has 8,410 miles on his record.

Mal is now being ridden by Preston, who is a lightweight rider (161-185 pound division), and is still competing.

Naomi Preston now rides Fire Mt Malabar in the lightweight endurance division. Photo by Steve Bradley

“Last year at age 21, he had a 100-percent completion rate,” says Pearce. “He maintains his incredible soundness, love for his job, and excellent condition. And for the last three years, he’s been carrying a lightweight rider, which has given him continued stamina in his veteran years.”

Over the last few years, Mal has also excelled at multi-day Pioneer rides, ranging from 155-mile three-day rides to 260-mile five-day rides.

“His mileage capabilities have not diminished at all,” says Pearce. “In fact, our hope is that he can achieve AERC’s Perfect Ten award by reaching 10,000 miles.”

Fast Facts about the Arabian Horse The Arabian’s beauty and personable nature have made it a favorite among horse lovers for centuries. Photo by Makarova Viktoria/shutterstock Height: 14.1 to 15.2 hands Color: Bay, chestnut, gray and black. Overall Appearance: Small head, straight or preferably slightly concave profile; small muzzle, large nostrils; large eyes set well apart; small ears with tips curved slightly inward. Long, arched neck and high withers. A short back and horizontal croup with high tail carriage. Find more details about the breed by visiting the websites of the Arabian Horse Association and the World Arabian Horse Organization.

This article about an Arabian horse appeared in the May 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Enduring Arabian appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Siblings Morgan and Christopher are both active riders with their Morgan horses.

Mega Miles

Morgan is 18 and a freshman in the pre-vet program at Wilmington College in Ohio. She completed her first endurance ride when she was just 4 years old and has been riding her current horse, a 19-year-old Morgan mare named The Perfect Angel, for eight seasons. Not only have Morgan and Angel completed a 100-mile ride together, but they’ve also done the Shore to Shore Pioneer Ride six times. That’s a 250-mile ride that takes place over the course of five days.

“Morgans are extremely tough and hardworking,” says Morgan. “They may not be the fastest horses on the trail, but they thrive and persevere through difficult terrain and conditions, which can give them an edge.”

Angel is a tough competitor on the trail, but she has tons of personality, too.

“Angel loves playing in water, must have her face itched before her heart rate will come down at vet checks, and is an expert at flipping feed pans!” says Morgan.

Morgan Loomis has ridden her 19-year-old mare in 100-mile rides and even a 250-mile ride that takes place over five days.

Looking to the Future

Christopher started in endurance at age 6 and is now 15 and a sophomore in high school. He’s looking forward to competing with his 10-year-old Morgan mare, Coco Charlie, in the upcoming season. Charlie was recovering from a pasture injury during the last season, but she has a bright future ahead.

“Charlie is very pretty and looks very sweet, but she is definitely the alpha mare in the herd,” says Christopher. “She loves attention and cookies and can be very loving when she wants something.”

In endurance competition, the winner isn’t simply the horse-and-rider pair that finishes in the fastest time. Veterinarians examine the horses at designated points throughout the ride and at the finish. They must be determined “fit to continue,” which means their heart rate and respiration rate have to come down quickly. It takes a lot of preparation and a fit, athletic horse to pass all the vet checks and finish the race.

“I’ve ridden Morgans all my life, and their heart and natural athleticism make them excellent teammates,” says Morgan. “Endurance is a discipline like no other. The long distances may seem daunting at first, but there is a lot of support between riders and the spirit of the sport is embodied in its slogan, ‘To finish is to win.’”

“Once you figure [Morgans] out, they learn very quickly,” adds Christopher. “Morgans were made to be tough and hardy. They go and go and go.”

Fifteen-year-old Christopher Loomis rides a Morgan mare named Coco Charlie.

A Family Affair

Morgan horses and endurance riding are a family activity for the Loomises. Their mom, Shannon, got started in endurance riding as a 4-H club member when she was 12 and has been active in the sport ever since. It takes a team to be successful in endurance, especially the really long distances, so having family around is helpful.

“I haven’t competed as much as my sister has,” says Christopher. “But I crew for them at most of their rides and am very proud of how we are all able to work together to get everyone safely through a ride, especially the Shore to Shore, which is a very intense week of riding.”

If tackling an endurance ride sounds like your dream come true, maybe a Morgan could be in your future!

“Just do it,” Christopher says when asked what advice he has for riders who want to try endurance. “If you don’t get started, you’ll never finish. Finding a mentor can really help you get started in endurance. Morgans can sometimes take a little longer to get as fit as an Arabian, but with a Morgan, it’s more likely something will go right than something will go wrong, no matter what sport you choose.”

Morgan Facts

Size: Morgans generally range from 14.1 to 15.2 hands. They tend to be compact with a strong back and legs so they can safely carry riders of most sizes.

Color: Any color and white markings are allowed, but most are solid bay, chestnut, liver chestnut, or black.

Appearance: Morgans are known for having shapely, expressive faces with small ears and prominent eyes that give them an alert and friendly expression. They typically have high-set necks and long, thick manes and tails.

Use: Morgans compete in every show and sport discipline, including saddle seat, western, hunter/jumper, dressage, and reining. They excel at carriage driving and are sure-footed and dependable on trails.

Learn more at www.morganhorse.com

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