Mongol Derby

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_

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

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

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

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_

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_

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. ❤️

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

The official charity of the Mongol Derby is local Mongolian NGO Steppe and Hoof.

Ahead of this year’s Derby, Head Vet Don Crosby was once again on the ground in Mongolia with Steppe and Hoof, marking his fourth year working with the organisation.

This year Don was joined by his daughter Sarah, who is heading into her fourth year of veterinary studies and came along for the opportunity to experience Mongolia and the work of Steppe and Hoof firsthand.

As part of their outreach work, the team delivered veterinary and medical training, sharing practical skills and knowledge with local veterinary and medical professionals. Don also trained two groups of Mongolian vets, helping build skills that can continue to support animals, herders and communities long after the Derby has passed through.

Steppe and Hoof’s work extends well beyond the Mongol Derby, with veterinary and medical outreach, training and education forming an important part of the organisation’s work in Mongolia.

A huge thank you to Don, Sarah and everyone involved in continuing this important work.

To find out more about Steppe and Hoof’s outreach programs or to contribute, you can donate via GlobalGiving:

https://www.globalgiving.org/donate/91985/taliin-tuurai-steppe-and-hoof/