The longest horse race in the world. A 1,000km multi-horse race across the epic wilderness of the Mongolian steppe.
The Mongol Derby is a self-guided 1000km adventure race cross the incomparable Mongolian steppe, one of the world's last remaining wildernesses and cradle of the largest land empire ever created under Chinggis Khaan. At the heart of the Mongol Derby is the horse station system, called Urtuus in Mongolian. Based on the Great Khaan's postal system which could relay messages at speed from the furthes
~ Ride to Survive ~
EP4 from the Mongol Derby 2026
Hosted by Erik Cooper
Video by Richard Brandon-Cox
28/08/2026
Introducing the Event Managers…
Andaa, in the middle, went from managing Start Camp to manning the “Blood Wagon” — although, after hearing about some of the adventures happening on board, we’re thinking “Party Bus” might have been a more accurate name.
His mission? Get injured and Adventure riders safely back to camp, where they could recover, rest up and enjoy some well-earned time at Derby HQ.
We’re told there may even have been camels involved.
Meanwhile, Erik Cooper and Rosie took on the small task of basically doing everything.
Policing horse lines. Enforcing rules. Responding to SOS calls. Keeping riders in check. Capturing a ridiculous amount of the video content you’ve been seeing on your socials. And generally appearing wherever something needed doing.
Along with Andaa and Candie Jade back in Oz, they somehow kept the whole operation moving, the riders mostly in line, and the chaos vaguely under control.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some carry radios, chase horses and spend far too much time videoing on their phones!
Photos by tulgaaskizz
26/08/2026
When your 5-year-old asks for something really cool from your travels…
You don’t bring back a fridge magnet.
You strap an actual skull to your backpack and ride across the Mongolian Steppe with it.
Because obviously.
We know the skull made it all the way home through TSA…
But honestly, we have a LOT of questions about how.
Photo by Babi_photography_
26/08/2026
File this under: ‘Everyone has a plan, until they are punched in the face’
We thank IBA for her excellent posing whilst ATA fights for her life after an aforementioned punch in the face!
Pleased to report all escaped this endeavour unscathed!
Photo by tulgaaskizz
20/08/2026
The Steppe threw pretty much everything at our riders over 1,000km… and somehow, they mostly kept smiling!
Heatwaves, driving rain, feral horses, swarms of flying ants, enough mutton to last a lifetime and the occasional bout of food poisoning… just your average day on the Mongol Derby!
Safe to say, very little phased these riders — and we are pretty darn impressed…
Think you could handle it all? 👀
Head to equestrianists.com and sign up for next year’s adventure!
Photos by Babi_photography_ tulgaaskizz
19/08/2026
Introducing the Mongol Derby Vets!
You’ve met them before… but probably not looking this clean!
Horse welfare is the biggest — and most important — part of the Mongol Derby. Sorry riders, but horses come first!
This incredible team of vets, from all over the world, are on hand throughout the Derby to make sure the health and wellbeing of every horse remains the absolute number one priority.
And their work doesn’t stop with the Derby horses. As they travel across the Steppe, they also lend a helping hand to local communities and their animals — leaving no Steppe animal untreated!
Thank you, Vets, for everything you do. We couldn’t do it without you!
Photo by tulgaaskizz
19/08/2026
The beginning of 1,000km across the pristine Mongolian Steppe — with endless horizons, wild landscapes, a few steep mountains in the way and no idea quite what the next 1,000km will bring.
Here’s a look back at those first moments of the Mongol Derby, when the excitement was high, the horses were fresh and the adventure was only just beginning…
Photos by Babi_photography_
19/08/2026
Want to keep reliving the Derby excitement, dot watchers?
We sure do!
So keep your peepers peeled 👀 and look out for your favourite riders as we take a trip back through all the action, adventure, chaos and fun they had out on the Steppe last week!
And if watching from the sidelines has you dreaming of riding across this epic landscape yourself…
Head to equestrianists.com and sign up now for the 2027/28 Mongol Derby!
Who knows… next year, it could be your dot we’re watching.
Photos by tulgaaskizz Babi_photography_
18/08/2026
Introducing the Mongol Derby Media Team:
These guys hustled all over the Steppe to bring you the best photos of your favourite riders, videos of their wildest tales, hilarious stories for the daily blog and beautiful footage for the Ride to Survive series!
And it wasn’t easy — long nights editing, posting to socials while bouncing along remote off-road tracks, chasing stories and somehow keeping everything moving in between!
Great times, great content… and thankfully, lots more to come!
Not pictured is our girl Candie Jade , blogging away from home in Australia — an integral part of the team and very much part of the chaos!
To the Media Team: you absolutely smashed it. ❤️
18/08/2026
The race may be finished, but the celebrations are only just beginning!
Time to get clean, polished and party like you’ve just ridden 1,000km across the Mongolian steppe!
Our riders are gifted their very own traditional Mongolian dels — and thankfully, our brilliant local Mongolian crew are on hand to make sure everyone is dressed correctly. There’s definitely a knack to it!
Then it’s time for the awards! 🏆
We celebrate not only the first four riders across the finish line and some very special mentions from our vet; but we celebrate every one of the 42 riders who crossed the Start Line — because after 1,000km, there’s plenty of incredible horsemanship, determination and grit worth recognising.
From dusty riders to dashing del-wearers… what a transformation!
Photos by tulgaaskizz
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| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |