Gaucho Derby

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Gaucho Derby

Imagine yourself thundering deep into the wilds of Patagonia on horseback. This is the Gaucho Derby.

You’ve got your steed & you’re navigating across the wildest terrain on Earth attempting to win one of the toughest equine challenges in history.

21/09/2026

2026 Gaucho Derby finisher Lucy Burnett on her experience during the race:

This race is billed as one of the toughest in the world, so I took my physical fitness very seriously and was very glad I did because my body held up great during the race.

I rode 4-5 horses a day, ran multiple times a week, and hot yoga 3x times a week to stay limber.

The horses in the race were incredible. The horse I drew from the second station really made me fall in love with the Criollo breed. His endurance was unreal and he handled the bogs and wind like a true native, completely unbothered.

The most epic wild camp was on the second night of the derby. I drew what turned out to be my favorite horse of the race and set off up the side of a meseta.

We found a lovely natural “bowl” in the terrain that served as a corral for our hobbled horses overnight. Once we had cared for the horses and set up our tents, We wandered around barefoot and enjoyed the sunset and view of turquoise lake.

Magic.

I honestly felt like I might be hallucinating a few of the times I looked out at the landscape because it’s just unbelievable - Everywhere you look has such stark contrast. Bright blue water, cerros rising out of the middle of nowhere.

The freedom. Riding over land like that with no objective other than the next waypoint boiled life down to its most pure form. There was no distraction from the outside world. Staying in the present moment was easy.

I rode the whole race with my friend Bobbi. We trained together for the year leading up. She was the ultimate teammate and support system out there.

I was the barista in the morning and made our coffee and we both a made a navigation game plan together each night with dinner.

I’m so grateful we finished the race together.

27/08/2026

Gaucho Derby veteran Kansas Carradine on the thrills of the Gaucho Derby Academy as she prepped for the Gaucho Derby earlier this year:

"I have been riding fast horses in complex situations for decades. Nothing compared to the joy, excitement, and adventure of riding in the Gaucho Derby Academy as I prepped for the race. The unique Gaucho culture, pristine landscape, and fantastic horses made the experience unforgettable, not to mention it was a game-changer to prepare me for a successful completion of the Derby itself!

I can't wait to do it again!"

Apply for our January 2027 Gaucho Derby Academy now:
https://equestrianists.com/gaucho-derby-academy

Photo by@kathy_gabriel_

21/08/2026

Riders, Crew, and Gauchos experiencing stunning views and dramatic landscapes while traversing the wilds of Patagonia during the Gaucho Derby Academy.

Throughout the Academy, riders get one on one attention learning everything from map reading, GPS device use, wilderness survival and they also get to ride some pretty amazing horses.

To read more info on our legendary Gaucho Derby Academy, and apply for a spot, visit our website here, the next edition kicks off in January 2027:

https://equestrianists.com/gaucho-derby-academy

📷️ by:

10/08/2026

The Gaucho Derby

Imagine yourself thundering deep into the wilds of Patagonia on horseback. You’ve got your steed and you’re navigating across some of the wildest terrain on earth attempting to win one of the toughest and most unusual equine challenges in history.

After running the Mongol Derby (World's Longest Horse Race) for over a decade we knew it was time to grow the new sport of ultra-endurance horse racing we had created so we went in search of the next world-beating adventure. We’ve not replicated The Mongol Derby with new scenery but designed a new race from the ground up – based on the landscape, culture, history and horses of Patagonia and the Gauchos.

And apply for a future race here:
https://equestrianists.com/gaucho-derby/

Images by &

26/07/2026

The Gaucho Derby Academy

Have you ever wanted to learn new skills all whilst exploring the culture, landscapes and personalities of a country?

Come join us for one hell of a horse riding adventure down in Argentine Patagonia. Over the course of a week from January 30 - February 5, 2027, riders from around the world will come to take part in our Gaucho Derby Academy.

Our team of savvy Event Managers, Gauchos, Adventure Medics and Veterinarians will lead hands-on trainings in everything from the tech we use on our races, navigation, wilderness survival, gear reviews and more.

The Academy has a grand finale of a two day wild horse search party and roundup, making for some of the most exciting riding on the planet.

If you’d like to join, pop in your application: Equestrianists.com

Photos by

04/04/2026

2022 Competitor Hinke Van Der Werf on the scenery of the Gaucho Derby:

The landscape is breathtaking. Literally, the brutal wind takes your breath away. The howling wind gives you wind burns making you look like a patient on prednisone. There can be snow and sunshine at the same moment but the wind will never stop. Don’t be scared for heights like me.

However if you step aside your fear, you will see the most beautiful panoramas. No man’s land full of mountains, crystal clear freezing lakes and guanacos everywhere. And don’t forget the mighty condors. Always circling around you hoping for the first bite ha!

Photo by:

03/04/2026

Some choose to tackle the mighty Gaucho Derby as individuals, and some, like Rendel Rieckman, Holly Mason, and Daniël van Eeden, choose to team up and combine their shared skill set to conquer everything wild the Andes has to offer. Together, these fine Equestrianists went on to win it in 2024.

Rendel Rieckman had this to say about what it was like racing as a team:

"One of the best moments during the derby was realizing I wouldn't have been able to finish without this team. Dan added his knowledge about the terrain and conquering it, and Holly's unstoppable drive—it was an incredible team spirit. I am especially thankful that even during the toughest times—realizing past decision-making mistakes, physical meltdowns, or errors like navigation mishaps, loose girths, or items flying out of saddlebags during full canter—we didn't waste time finger-pointing about whose fault it was. Instead, we made a plan of how to fix it and move forward."

Ps applications are now open for both our Gaucho Derby and Gaucho Derby Academy. Follow these links to apply:

https://equestrianists.com/apply-to-race/

https://equestrianists.com/the-academy/apply-for-an-academy/

Photos by:

02/04/2026

2024 Gaucho Derby Competitor Emmanuel Cardinaux on the scenery along the course:

The scenery was so varied and epic: desertic landscapes, oasis-like estancias, turquoise glacier lakes and steppe canyons, all of these could be encountered in a single day. One of my favourite sceneries was the dry lago La Rubia nestled in the mountains where a herd of guanacos seemed to be following us.

Photo by

01/04/2026

Gaucho Derby Academy & Gaucho Derby veteran Emily Hoyt on her experience during the Gaucho Derby:

The Gaucho Derby brings new meaning to the phrase “ride or die besties.” I went into this experience expecting to meet some epic horses and epic people and the derby delivered.

First, my four-legged friends. The bond that you create with these horses is unlike anything else. Upon a quick, sometimes chaotic greeting, we agreed to entrust our lives to each other- the horses finding the safest tracks to guide me through perilous terrain, and me keeping their well-being as my utmost concern, ensuring green grass and fresh water at the end of our long days together. Saying goodbye to them was always bittersweet. I’d fantasize about bringing my new, trusty steeds home to the Colorado mountains, but I could never take them away from their native home.

While the horses stayed to roam the beautiful lands of Patagonia, I returned home with friendships to keep. The people who sign up for these derbies are not your average Joes. Most have a history of wild adventures that are admirable and inspiring. There is also a depth to them that I often yearn for in everyday life. Our conversations were deep and soulful, vulnerable and emotional. We laughed and cried together, sometimes at the same time. We’ve stayed in touch since the derby, and we’re already scheming future adventures together.

I think if I were asked what my favorite memory from the derby was, I’d give a different answer everyday. Right now, what’s standing out to me is the evening of day 4. My partner and I had a tumultuous day that ended with a peaceful campsite by the lake- just us and our two horses. We’d gotten lost, ran out of water, and we were almost out of food. But that evening, we had everything that we needed. We shared our snacks, drank murky lake water, and bonded over the ridiculousness of our day. We had each other, and our horses grazed happily near our tents.”

Photos by .hoyt &

Ps applications are open for both our Gaucho Derby Academy & Gaucho Derby, explore more here: equestrianists.com

31/03/2026

Mongol Derby Veteran Rick Helson on what it was like taking part in the Gaucho Derby Academy:

"The Academy was fantastic! It gave us a look at the challenges of taking part in the Gaucho Derby and a chance to test our own mettle in the Andes. I live in Wyoming and riding in the Andes is unlike anywhere else I've ridden. Riding with new friends from all over the world was an unparalleled experience. I still correspond with friends who could only be made on the back of a horse."

Apply for the next Gaucho Derby Academy via equestrianists.com

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