Amy's Race Across the Mongolian Steppes
Donation protected
Hello!
Hello, My name is Amy Whelan, I am 51 years old and recently had my application to compete in the Mongol Derby accepted. I've competed in Endurance Racing for over 25 years and I hope that this will prepare me for the world's longest horse race.
Come Again?
I grew up on a farm in Kentucky, riding horses came easy and I started at a very young age. I followed my love of horses to Colorado State University where I received my BS in Equine Science in 1987. I now live on the family farm where I train endurance horses. I am still a very avid endurance rider, racing mainly 50 to 100 mile races. My two daughters are also involved in the sport of endurance with me.
My background also involves a love of the out of doors, I am still involved with Girl Scouting, which has taken me on many outdoor adventures, and hopefully , has adequately prepared me for "the ride of a lifetime".
Why do I need funding?
I need to raise around $15000 total. This not only funds the many facets of the journey in Mongolia, but also my airfare to get there. Though this may seem like an astronomical amount, the funds are used to lease the horses from the Mongolian families, provide for veterinary care, feed the riders, and also provide medical support for the riders.
A portion of the funds are also donated to charities. Each rider chooses a specific charity to support, and $1600 of the their fee goes towards that aid organization (if I surpass my goal, the extra funds will be diverted to the charity). The charity that I have chosen to support is Hope for Horses, a non-profit horse rescue facility in Asheville, NC that strives to rehome unwanted and neglected horses. Part of the fee also goes to the race organization's charity "Cool Earth".
http://www.hopeforhorses.org
http://www.coolearth.org/adventurists
The Impact
Thank you so much for taking the time to discover a little bit more about the Mongol Derby, and my desire to compete in it. I can't wait for this incredible opportunity to challenge myself( both mentally and physically) and to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of a culture so different from my own.
Here are a few more links to videos that give just a bit more information about the Mongol Derby. I think that they do a wonderful job of showing all aspects of the ride, from the hardships, to the incredible friendships made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK3SpdIXvD4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7nePo_stVo
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you cannot donate to my cause, please share this site with others. Help spread the word about the impact that the Mongol Derby is having, not only on my own life, but with all of those whom have a sense of adventure.
I know that many think that I am too old or that I'm just plain crazy for wanting to participate in such a challenging quest. However, If I've learned anything in life it's that the world is better when seen from the back of a horse.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Hello, My name is Amy Whelan, I am 51 years old and recently had my application to compete in the Mongol Derby accepted. I've competed in Endurance Racing for over 25 years and I hope that this will prepare me for the world's longest horse race.
Come Again?
I grew up on a farm in Kentucky, riding horses came easy and I started at a very young age. I followed my love of horses to Colorado State University where I received my BS in Equine Science in 1987. I now live on the family farm where I train endurance horses. I am still a very avid endurance rider, racing mainly 50 to 100 mile races. My two daughters are also involved in the sport of endurance with me.
My background also involves a love of the out of doors, I am still involved with Girl Scouting, which has taken me on many outdoor adventures, and hopefully , has adequately prepared me for "the ride of a lifetime".
Why do I need funding?
I need to raise around $15000 total. This not only funds the many facets of the journey in Mongolia, but also my airfare to get there. Though this may seem like an astronomical amount, the funds are used to lease the horses from the Mongolian families, provide for veterinary care, feed the riders, and also provide medical support for the riders.
A portion of the funds are also donated to charities. Each rider chooses a specific charity to support, and $1600 of the their fee goes towards that aid organization (if I surpass my goal, the extra funds will be diverted to the charity). The charity that I have chosen to support is Hope for Horses, a non-profit horse rescue facility in Asheville, NC that strives to rehome unwanted and neglected horses. Part of the fee also goes to the race organization's charity "Cool Earth".
http://www.hopeforhorses.org
http://www.coolearth.org/adventurists
The Impact
Thank you so much for taking the time to discover a little bit more about the Mongol Derby, and my desire to compete in it. I can't wait for this incredible opportunity to challenge myself( both mentally and physically) and to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of a culture so different from my own.
Here are a few more links to videos that give just a bit more information about the Mongol Derby. I think that they do a wonderful job of showing all aspects of the ride, from the hardships, to the incredible friendships made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK3SpdIXvD4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7nePo_stVo
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you cannot donate to my cause, please share this site with others. Help spread the word about the impact that the Mongol Derby is having, not only on my own life, but with all of those whom have a sense of adventure.
I know that many think that I am too old or that I'm just plain crazy for wanting to participate in such a challenging quest. However, If I've learned anything in life it's that the world is better when seen from the back of a horse.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Organizer
Amy Wallace Whelan
Organizer
Louisa, KY
