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My name is Chloe Dvorak. I live in Lodi, Wisconsin, USA.Out of 700 candidates, I was one of the 30 chosen to compete in the 2021 Mongol Derby, a grueling 1,000km race across the Mongolian steppe on horseback.
Come follow my journey!!
Find @chloegoestomongolia on Facebook for weekly updates, photos and fun!
The Mongol Derby honors Genghis Kahn’s postal system, when riders carried messages up to 200 miles in a day. The race is also meant to be a supreme test of endurance and horsemanship. The horses are mostly wild, the rugged terrain includes mountains and deserts, and the accommodations are sparse. When they’re lucky, competitors spend the night in hide-covered yurts with native families. Sometimes, however, they must spend the night
on the open plain. Athletes ride 75-100 miles daily for ten days, changing horses every 20-25 miles, and relying only on a GPS for directions. As in a normal horse endurance races, a team of veterinarians and judges many penalize riders for bringing their horses into a checkpoint showing
signs of distress, so competitors must strike a balance between speed and safety. The race is also designed to help the people of Mongolia. Poverty, high infant mortality, and lack of educational opportunities plague this beautiful and ancient land. All of the race’s horses, food, equipment, and most of the personnel are local,
bringing a welcome influx of cash into the local economy, and publicity to its peoples’ efforts.
Come follow my journey!!
Find @chloegoestomongolia on Facebook for weekly updates, photos and fun!
The Mongol Derby honors Genghis Kahn’s postal system, when riders carried messages up to 200 miles in a day. The race is also meant to be a supreme test of endurance and horsemanship. The horses are mostly wild, the rugged terrain includes mountains and deserts, and the accommodations are sparse. When they’re lucky, competitors spend the night in hide-covered yurts with native families. Sometimes, however, they must spend the night
on the open plain. Athletes ride 75-100 miles daily for ten days, changing horses every 20-25 miles, and relying only on a GPS for directions. As in a normal horse endurance races, a team of veterinarians and judges many penalize riders for bringing their horses into a checkpoint showing
signs of distress, so competitors must strike a balance between speed and safety. The race is also designed to help the people of Mongolia. Poverty, high infant mortality, and lack of educational opportunities plague this beautiful and ancient land. All of the race’s horses, food, equipment, and most of the personnel are local,
bringing a welcome influx of cash into the local economy, and publicity to its peoples’ efforts.