I reached out to Doniga Markegard for an interview because she is riding the Mongol Derby this year. I’m starting to feel stressed about not… Read More »Riding for the Herders: Doniga Markegard’s Journey to Mongolia
Сайн уу, сонин юу байна? (Hello, how are you?) I’m on my second week of studying Mongolian. Thanks to sponsorship from Language Trainers, I have… Read More »Learning Mongolian for the Mongol Derby: First steps!
Spring semester concluded ten days ago. About 14 months from now, I will be travelling to Ulaanbaatar. It’s high time to start a detailed Mongol… Read More »Stepping up Mongol Derby prep with a to-do list, v2 (send help)
Many posts in social media groups dedicated to horses and horsemanship are made by people who question whether they can or should call themselves a… Read More »Am I a trainer? Doubts, delusions, and desires in horse riders and handlers
My second interview with riders who have completed the Mongol Derby features Sophia McKee. She agreed to talk with me way back in December, but… Read More »The horse had no brakes. She ate chocolate anyway.
My experience at the Cuyama Oaks xpride 2026 was both a success and a failure. A success because both mares completed their 50s easily and… Read More »Cuyama Oaks xpride 2026: Fantazia and River complete 50 miles
I plan to publish at least one blog post a month leading up to my participation in the Mongol Derby 2027. I’ve been doing well… Read More »Starting my Mongol Derby wish list!
Last weekend someone (I think it was a Helly, but not sure) introduced me to someone else saying something like “Jessica was aiming for the… Read More »The long road to Tevis runs through Laurel Mountain — again
In my last blog post about River, I said that the Eastern Mojave xp ride was up next. (Read River completed a 50-mile ride with… Read More »When you can’t make it to an endurance ride (You can’t always get what you want)
Right after I committed to riding the race in 2027, I started trying to track down people who had completed the Mongol Derby. My purpose… Read More »Smiling through the pain! Grace Netter’s Mongol Derby experience