In this post, I’ll explain how to enter the Mongol Derby, how the application process actually works, and what being accepted truly involves, based on my own experience as a rider accepted for the 2027 race. Whether you are seriously considering applying or simply curious about what it takes, this guide is meant to give you a picture of the path to the start line (or at least, an accepted entry application), based on my experience.
Photo credit for the featured picture on this blog goes to The Equestrianists, with thanks to Holly Conyers.
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What is the Mongol Derby? Who can enter the Mongol Derby? How the Mongol Derby application process works What the organizers are looking for Costs, fees, and financial commitment Timeline: When and how to apply My experience applying to the Mongol Derby The one thing I wish I’d known before applying FAQ
What is the Mongol Derby?
Inspired by Genghis Khan ‘s horseback relay messenger system , the Mongol Derby is a 1000-kilometer (621 miles) race that must be completed in ten days. Participants ride Mongolian horses, switching mounts approximately every 35 kilometers (~22mi) at horse stations or urtuus, similar to the relay stations used by Genghis Khan. There are no trails or roads; riders are given waypoints between which they must choose their own path based on interpretation of topographic maps .
Participants may only ride during the day (in 2025, riding hours were 7AM to 7PM). At night they may stay with Mongolian herder families or camp under the stars. Riders must take care of their horses! There are vets at every urtuu who monitor horse well-being, including hydration, soundness, and heart rate. Riders are penalized if their horses do not arrive in good shape.
(More details to come in future posts! In the meantime, see the Equestrianists page on the Mongol Derby .)
Who can enter the Mongol Derby?
Eligibility to ride the Mongol Derby is restricted for very good reasons. First, the Mongol horses are small (12 to 14 hands, or 48-56 inches at the withers). What’s more, the horses are not well-trained, and by all reports are quite likely to buck or run off when mounted. Finally, riding 1000 kilometers in ten days is a physically strenuous activity that is made more challenging by the mental demands of navigating, communicating with local people, and simply keeping going during ten challenging days.
Physical restrictions on rider eligibility
Riders may not be more than 185cm (72.8″ or just under 6’1″) tall and may not weigh more than 85 kilograms (187.4 lbs), fully dressed to ride. This includes everything but saddle (including stirrups and fenders which riders must provide), bridle, hobbles, and saddle bag (including contents). The saddle bag and its contents may weigh up to 5 kg (11 lbs).
For a small person like me, the weight limit will not be an issue. I can carry as much on my person as I can bear. It’s hot, and riders must ride out wearing everything they include in the 85 kilos. You’d want everything important on your person anyway, in case you part company with a horse.
Fitness
Riding 621 miles in ten days is a lot. The most riding I’ve done was probably at the 2021 Sesenta Años ride , when Fantazia and I did 50 miles on days 1 and 2, and 25 miles on day 3. I stopped halfway on Day 3 not because Fantazia couldn’t do it, but because my right hip was hurting.
Since November 2021, I have worked hard to increase flexibility and strength in my hip. (Read my post on Dealing with hip pain associated with horseback riding .) Since entering the Mongol Derby 2027, I have had new x-rays and MRIs done to verify that there is no injury. I will start a new round of PT with a focus on strengthening (and be much better about maintenance).
That right hip will be my personal challenge, but I am certain I can deal with it. Basic fitness is a must for all riders, and in the months ahead I will chronicle my exercise regime.
Why is the Mongol Derby so physically demanding?
First, 621 miles is a lot of repetitive motion. Not only is this hard on joints, but any weakness increases the probability of bruising and chafing. (Read my blog post about how to avoid chafing while riding .)
Second, the Mongolian horses are not easy to ride. They are likely to move suddenly if not buck, and they may pull. Leg and torso strength helps riders to hold on squirely horses. A strong grip makes holding the reins (especially when horses pull) much much easier. How do I know these things? Years riding all sorts of horses.
Experience with horses
Experience with horses is a must, and the more the better. It may seem that no one without a background around horses would apply to ride, but the focus of the Mongol Derby in its origins was extreme adventurism. The race was a brainchild of the Adventurists , a group dedicated to extreme sports. People drawn to extreme challenges may be likely to see horses as just independently minded motorbikes.
I don’t know how the race was in its beginnings, but nowadays the organizers look for participants who have enough experience with horses that they are significantly (a) less likely to be ejected from the saddle and planted on their heads and (b) more likely to successfully care for their horses.
How the Mongol Derby application process works
The application process is simple! Start by filling out a short online application form here: Application for Mongol and Gaucho Derbys . (The Equestrianists put on the Gaucho Derby in Patagonia too. I applied for both.)
Above: A screenshot of the current online application to enter the Mongol Derby.
Step 1: The online application
The first step to enter the Mongol Derby is simple. You provide your contact information, age, height, weight, and country of residence. They ask you about your riding experience and why you want to do the race (both large “essay” form fields). There is a separate optional area where you can tell them anything else you want them to know. You can opt in to a mailing list and tell them how you heard about the Derby.
That’s it.
Step 2: Send a video
I can’t swear that this will be true for everyone, but I heard back from the organizers within a day, via an email asking for a video of me riding at the canter or gallop. This despite the fact that the 2025 Mongol Derby was happening at the time! I was impressed, having been in no hurry.
I sent links to several videos on YouTube, including one of an old AP interview from when I was racing in Spain, several newer but still old videos, some riding Saddle seat , a more recent one of me riding my latest project horse in a Western Saddle, and even one from a child’s movie I made decades ago.
Above: The oldest footage I could find of me riding a horse (the Morgan gelding that was my first very own horse) at a canter (or lope). The amazing thing about this video is that I am riding on property that at the time was part of a friend’s cattle ranch. About a decade afterwards, my parents bought that parcel.
The day after I sent the email with links to videos, I received an invitation for a phone (WhatsApp) interview, with a link to sign-up sheet. I chose a date over a month later, in September.
Step 3: Phone interview
I really enjoyed the phone interview. It was scheduled in 30-minute block, and that’s about what it took.
Holly, the representative of the Equestrianists who interviewed me, asked me to expand on what I had written in my application. Then she asked me a some questions that I had not touched upon.
I don’t remember everything we discussed, but I do remember Holly asking me what I felt about camping. (Answer: Though I prefer beds and hot showers, I am perfectly capable of surviving primitive camping conditions.) We talked about the challenges of finding the way between waypoints on a topographic map. We talked a lot about horses.
We also spent a lot of time comparing and contrasting the Mongol and Gaucho Derbies, because I needed to decide on one. Honestly, I would have preferred to start with the Gaucho Derby, but it’s in February, right after my semester starts. (I am a professor.) I told Holly I needed to think about it.
Finally, we addressed the questions I had about finances and media rights.
What the organizers are looking for
The Equestrianist’s website includes a succinct list of their basic requirements: Entry Criteria . Beyond that, it’s probably about the feeling the interviewer gets from the candidate entrant. My best guess? I get the feeling that the following qualities will help an applicant get accepted:
Experience with different types of horses and riding disciplines and/or a willingness to fill in any gaps. A history of riding endurance is clearly an advantage. (What is riding endurance? from the AERC.)
Time spent far away from civilization–or at least interest in learning how to survive with very basic amenities.
Physical and mental fitness.
Passion for adventure! It may seem difficult to believe that anyone without a passion fo adventure would enter the Mongol Derby. However, some may do so more out of competitiveness and the desire to win. That’s all right, but I got the feeling that they want people who are out for the adventure as much or more than in it to win.
Costs, fees, and financial commitment
The Mongol Derby is not cheap. When I first considered doing it, years ago, the entry fee was $8000. It is $19,000 for 2027. On top of that, participants must raise at least £1000 (currently ~$1,500) for charity, with at least half of that going to Steppe and Hoof , the ride’s official charity. Then there are expenses associated with travel, insurance, time spent in Ulaanbataar before and after the race, and equipment.
Entry fee and cancellation
As soon as you accept the official entry offer, you have to pay. You can pay everything up front, or you can pay monthly from the time of your entry to three months before the race, when the balance is due.
You have 14 days after entering to repent and receive all your money back. After that, you get a percentage back, minus $1000, that shrinks the closer you get to the race.
If the event is cancelled, you get your money back, minus $300.
What this includes
I’ll cover this in more detail later, but the entry fee includes transport to and from Ulaanbataar to the horse stations, meals and lodging (which may be yurts or a spot on the steppe) from August 1st to 14th, and support crews for riders and horses. It includes however many horses it takes to go 1000km switching mounts every 35 km or so, plus a saddlebag, saddle, and bridles (riders must provide stirrups, leathers, and fenders).
Travel
Airfare will depend on your starting point. It’s actually absurdly cheap right now to buy a roundtrip ticket from LAX to Ulaanbataar leaving the last week of July and returning mid-August 2026. (It’s too early to see prices for 2027). I could do it in 20 hours with one stop for $1500 if I bought the ticket today.
I’ve paid more than that to fly to Madrid–many times!!
Of course you will need to figure in getting to the airport, parking if needed, transportation in Ulaanbataar.
Riders must also obtain lodging in Ulaanbataar for however long they wish to be there before and after the race.
Insurance
I have not yet secured insurance and will update this with specifics when I do.
Riders will need to insure the entry fee, travel expenses, and themselves. Normal health insurance does not cover participation in extreme sports. Next year when I do my annual benefits interview I will see what Fidelity will cover. I expect I will need more.
Gear
The organizers require riders to wear helmets, boots, and breeches/jodphurs. Beyond that, a sleeping bag, multitool, jacket, backpack, hydration pack… whatever the riders deem appropriate. As an endurance rider, I already have much of the equipment I will need. But of course, I will want newer, lighter, more targeted gear!
This is a great area for potential sponsorship opportunities.
Above: Riding my mare River in the high sierra (looking over Sequoia National Park from the Golden Trout Wilderness) last August. At that time I had made my decision to enter the Mongol Derby, submitted my entry, and scheduled the interview. The advantage of already riding endurance and spending long hours alone far away from civilization is that I am already familiar with much of the gear I will need for the Mongol Derby.
Timeline: When to apply
You can apply right up to three months before the race (and possibly even after that). However, the race is limited to 50 riders. Last-minute applicants may have to cross their fingers that someone cancels.
My application process took nearly 2.5 months from the day I submitted the online form to the day I received the official entry offer. However, I was the one who drew the process out with questions and internal debate. I’d guess I could have done it in a week.
Above: My parents, looking amazing! Much of my stress the last few years has come from trying to ensure they are safe and as healthy and happy as possible. My dad is going on 16 years of Parkinson’s Disease, and my mom is currently hospitalized and has been repeatedly since February. We have an absolutely amazing caregiving team, who do most of the work, but I do payroll, bills, scheduling, property upkeep, etc. This is why I hesitated to enter the Mongol Derby now, but it’s also why I need it!
My experience applying to the Mongol Derby
Yes, it took me a while to commit to enter the Mongol Derby, despite having put the event on my bucket list over 15 years ago. In part this was because of the Gaucho Derby–I was really tempted to try to make that work! Mainly though it was because I have a lot going on in my life right now. It took a long conversation with a family friend who completed the derby in 2019 to decide me. She told me it was a life-changing experience in many ways…
That conversation decided me! I have so much stress right now, and it’s not going to get better soon– so I really need to ride the Mongol Derby! Of course, my current too-full life also means I need a long time to prepare. That’s why I chose 2027 and not next year.
I have no doubt of my ability to ride the Mongolian horses and make my way across the steppe. That said, it’s a lot of money. I need time to fundraise and/or take on extra workload. I also need time to prepare physically and trial equipment.
So far, though, the application process has been smooth. I’ll be posting regularly on this blog about the rest of the journey!
The one thing I wish I’d known before applying
The only thing I wish I had known is how exciting this really is! I’ve wanted to enter the Mongol Derby for years. The only reason it took me so long was that my life is very full. The thing is, I am as busy now as I have ever been. Yet here I am, adding more work to an already stressful, hectic life. But it will be worth it. The Mongol Derby provides a goal that will keep me motivated for the next 18 months.
If I had spoken to people who had ridden the race before, I would probably have already done so myself. They–and their stories–are inspiring. Stay tuned for interviews!
Frequently Asked Questions about entering the Mongol Derby
Is the Mongol Derby hard to get into?
Yes. There is no single qualifying race or credential, but the organizers are selective. A strong application typically demonstrates horsemanship, physical fitness, adaptability, and good judgment around horses—especially in unfamiliar, remote conditions. The interview is a major part of the selection process.
Do you need endurance riding experience to enter the Mongol Derby?
Not strictly, but it helps. The race demands long hours in the saddle across multiple days, plus horse care and decision-making under fatigue. Any background that proves you can ride for distance, manage discomfort, and keep horses safe—endurance, ranch work, trekking, eventing, or varied real-world riding—can strengthen an application.
How does the Mongol Derby application process work?
In my experience, it started with a short online application, followed by a request to submit riding video, and then a scheduled phone (WhatsApp) interview. The exact steps and timing can vary, but applicants should be prepared to explain their riding background, fitness, comfort with basic living conditions, and approach to horse welfare and navigation.
How long does it take to get accepted?
It depends on scheduling and follow-ups. My application-to-acceptance timeline took about 2.5 months, largely because I spaced out the interview and asked additional questions. If you respond quickly and interview availability is good, the process may be much faster.
What does being accepted into the Mongol Derby actually involve?
Acceptance is the beginning of a serious commitment. Beyond paying the entry fee and meeting fundraising requirements, riders need to prepare physically, sort out insurance, plan travel and time in Ulaanbaatar, and dial in gear for a self-managed, multi-day ride in remote conditions. It is a logistical project as much as an athletic one.
Can you apply without committing immediately?
Yes. Submitting an application does not obligate you to race. Commitment begins when you accept an entry offer and begin payment. The application process itself can be a useful way to clarify whether the Derby is realistic for your schedule, budget, and riding background.
How can I follow your Mongol Derby training and preparations?
I’ll be posting regular updates here on the blog as I prepare for the 2027 Mongol Derby, including training rides, fitness work, gear testing, logistics, fundraising, and interviews with past riders. This post is part of a longer series documenting the entire journey.
How can I support your Mongol Derby ride?
Support can take many forms, from reading and sharing posts to offering advice, sponsoring gear or services, or contributing toward my required charity fundraising. I’ll be publishing more detailed sponsorship and support information as preparations continue.
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