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 was mainly selfish — I wanted to learn as much as I could from those who had finished. But I also wanted to share their story with others. I wrote up a list of questions and sent it to past riders who agreed to an interview. This blog post features Grace Netter’s Mongol Derby experience.
Photo credit for the feature image goes to Kabaa. It is Grace’s favorite photo, although she did not get along well with that horse.
Above: Grace riding toward a herd of horses against a dramatic landscape. Photo credit: Kabaa.
The basics
Grace completed the 2025 Mongol Derby. Forty-five riders started the race and 27 finished.
Q: Did you finish, and if so, where did you place? How long did it take you?
I finished 27th out of 45, so technically last because I was the last rider to complete, but not last entirely because there were 18 riders who didn’t finish. It took me the full 10 days. I finished with about an hour and a half left of riding hours. I did have some previous added time penalties from late riding that they tacked on at the end as well. (Even a few minutes of late riding while trying to find a place to stay adds up!)
The decision to ride the Mongol Derby
Personally, I’ve found telling people I plan to ride the 2027 Mongol Derby elicits a reaction far greater than I would have expected. What is it about some of us that drives us to consider such an extreme adventure? Asking riders why they decided to enter the Derby is part of understanding.
I love Grace’s answers. They reflect her determination to overcome limitations and succeed in a wild adventure most would never dream of attempting.
Q: What made you decide to attempt the race?
When I was a working student, I was grooming for my trainer at a three-day event in 2017. I heard her wish a woman named Leslie Wylie good luck. Leslie was competing in the Derby a few months later. I had never heard of it before, so I immediately looked into it and was instantly hooked.
In 2018, I applied and got accepted for the 2019 race, but decided to back out before any payment. I figured I had rushed too much into it and wanted to mature up a bit.
I was so excited to apply again in 2023. Because I was flexible with timing, they accepted me for the 2025 race. I decided to consider the race my 30th birthday adventure, as I had just turned 30 in November 2024.
Grace’s personal challenge
Another reason I wanted to attempt the race was because I actually used to be scared of horses when I was young. I grew up a very timid rider. I wanted to show my younger self that there would be a time when not only would I not be scared, but also able to do the hardest race on the planet.
Although I consider myself a great rider, I have some physical issues that make it harder for me to ride than the average person, which I knew would add difficulty and something else to overcome.
In the end, I came out of the race with an injury, but one that I knew might happen. I am proud I was able to push through to finish the race. I was born 2 months premature, and the doctor told my parents to expect me to be “average” and not thrive. Attempting the Mongol Derby was a way to prove to myself (and that doctor) that I could take what I was dealt and go above and beyond.
Q: What is your background with horses and/or other outdoor extreme adventures?
My mom gave me my love for horses. I grew up around them, but didn’t seriously ride until I was in middle school. I eventually made my way into the eventing world where I competed through high school. After college, I became a working student and worked with horses semi-professionally.
In my gap for college, I became a competitive rock climber. Between those two competitive careers, I felt like I was super equipped for such an extreme outdoor race. On top of that, my parents are somewhat of doomsday preppers, so I grew up learning how to plan and adapt for the worst.
Q: How long before you competed did you make the decision?
I was determined to ride in it since 2017. I decided to do it for real in 2023.
What’s funny is that I got together with my fiancé in 2018 and talked about it the entire time we were dating. Now that I’ve actually done it, it’s the first time in our relationship where I’m not talking about it 24/7.
Above: Three shots Grace took from between the ears of Mongol horses in the Derby.
Preparations for the Mongol Derby
Q: How did you prepare for the Derby? Are there any hints you can give those of us prepping now?
I was blessed to catch ride in the years leading up to the Derby. That gave me experience sitting on many different horses. When I really hunkered down to prepare for the Derby, about ten months out, I started leasing a young horse at the barn. This made sure I got multiple rides in a week. It really helped, as I feel like training your body to be in the saddle for a long time is key.
I still catch rode off and on to make sure I didn’t get stuck getting used to just one horse, and rode ponies to simulate the size of the Mongolian horses.
I also took an endurance-riding and Derby bootcamp from Stevie Delahunt, which I feel was invaluable in my training. It’s definitely an added cost, but worth it in my opinion if you ride a discipline other than endurance. (Read about Stevie’s services at Intergalactic Equine.)
Grace highlights the importance of physical fitness
You can ride as much as you want to prep, but if you’re not physically fit out of the saddle to match, then you’re at a detriment. You’re going to push your body to the extreme, so make sure you train not only for muscle building but also stamina and endurance.
I suggest getting into physical therapy a few months before the race. PT will help strengthen the minute areas that might bother you the most. They can also give you a stretching plan for during the Derby, as stretching before and after you ride each day is important.
Testing gear is vital
You do not want to be using an item for the first time ever on the Derby. After January, I swapped all my regular riding gear out for the gear I would be testing for the Derby so that I could break everything in and replace the items that I felt weren’t working.
For example, it’s really important to test rain gear. Even if you think your shoes are waterproof, add an extra coat of wax.
When Grace and I chatted on the phone, she told me that I’d want a good rain jacket, layers, and a warm sleeping bag. Everything needed to be lightweight and extremely packable. Grace warned me that it would be impossible to know exactly what I’d be carrying. She was throwing things out of her bag at the last moment.
Some items recommended by Grace
When we chatted and I barraged her with questions, Grace made a few recommendations:
- Besides a sleeping bag, get a sleeping pad. Both should be ultralight and pack into as small a space as possible.
- Get sheepskin for the saddle and stirrup leathers. Grace used the JMS seat cushion and stirrup leather covers from Riding Warehouse.
- Buy and trial water purification tablets. Riders were told right before the race that some could be hard on the stomach.
- Use waterproof bags to keep essentials dry. It rains.
- Choose a waterproof or water-resistant jacket that allows room for layers.
Don’t forget to consult other riders!
Talk to other riders, both past and in your race year, to see what they brought. I need glasses and can’t wear contacts, so I searched previous-year rider groupings, found riders with glasses, and reached out to ask what they recommended.
Try to find previous riders that fit your needs. Reach out to those in your ride year to see what they’re testing. If they’re coming from an area close to you, ask about possibly traveling together.
Q: How did you fund it? Did you have any sponsors?
I had a few gear sponsors. They were less straight cash sponsorship and more items that were sent for me to use in exchange for social media shoutouts.
Since I had been wanting to do this race for so long, I was able to save up for years. I funded the majority of it myself, but also started a GoFundMe about a month out from the race to accept help from friends and family who had asked and wanted to support. This is expensive, so don’t turn down any help you can get.
Q: Do you have any advice for finding sponsors?
I just started emailing a ton of companies whose gear I was going to use. About 1/3 responded. Some companies now are mostly through Instagram, so if you don’t get an email response, try again on one of their social media pages. This race is so wild that companies do think it’s fun to support, so even if you don’t think you should email a certain company because it might not match what you need, go for it.
Grace recommended Seducci as a good potential sponsor for underwear.
Q: Do you have any advice for insurance companies?
I asked a few people what they had used in the past and decided on World Nomads for myself. I got a plan that was a little more than what I needed, but since the race is so unpredictable, I figured the extra cost was worth it.
There is a tier that covers sports, and you’re going to want to make sure you at least get that one, as it covers horse events. Make sure you phrase your needs as a vacation excursion and not a race. They do not cover competitions, and don’t understand that the Derby is an adventure first and a race second.
Q: How long before the event did you arrive in Ulaanbaatar? Was it the right amount of time for you there?
Flights that I found were either getting in 3 days before or the night before, so I decided to do the 3 days. I also chose to fly out 3 days after the race.
Both of these were a perfect amount of time at either end. We had riders lose baggage during the trip, and getting there early helps negate the stress of not getting it in time. This also allows you to explore a bit and get used to the time zone.
If you do have enough time to explore, make sure you get all of your necessary gift shopping done before the race. You don’t know what state you’ll be in afterwards.
Above: The start of Grace Netter’s Mongol Derby, from the camera on her helmet!
The race: Grace Netter’s Mongol Derby
Q: Tell me about the MD itself! Anything and everything you’d like to share.
For this question, Grace referred me to her Instagram account where she posted many pictures and a daily recap of the race: @see.grace.race. If you’re interested, I highly recommend you take a look. It will give you an idea of what we talked about over the phone. I also summarize a few key points below.
Above: Mounting looks tricky in the first photo, but in the second Grace seems to be leading the pack out of the horse station. Photo credit: Kabaa.
Q: What about riding alone vs. with other riders?
While we were chatting about the pitfalls of the race, Grace mentioned some of the pros and cons of riding with other people. She rode alone about 50% of the time, partly because that way she could listen to her horse. Some of the moments she regretted most arose from the difficulty of leaving other riders when they made bad decisions (like going into bogs) or were riding horses that didn’t match hers.
It was a bad idea to hold back a horse that wanted to go, Grace told me. On the other hand, sometimes a riding partner can be of great help.
Above: Grace riding “the bolter” in front, with Nadine, who helped her navigate. Grace told me the herders had simply said the horse was “very strong.” It turned out he was a bolter that would take off and run hard until spooking and stopping. That’s difficult to navigate, so riding with someone was a big help. Photo credit: Kabaa.
Q: Did you have a favorite horse?
One of the first things Grace told me when we spoke on the phone was that there were all sorts of horses. Some she hated, some she didn’t want to give up. She said picking a single favorite was impossible, but there were a few that stuck out.
Above: One of Grace’s favorite horses. She commented, “We had a rocky start, but once he stopped being nervous he had the prettiest movement out of all the horses I rode.” Photo credit: Kabaa.
Above: The tallest horse Grace rode was another of her favorites. He was also very sweet. By this time, Grace had injured her ankles, and he stood patiently as she leaned on him for relief. Photo credit: Kabaa.
Q: What about navigating?
Mongol Derby riders have to navigate on their own between waypoints (the horse stations), using topographic maps. When I asked Grace how she had managed it, she said navigating was the steepest learning curve.
Her main advice: avoid bogs. They are designated as dashes on the map, and it’s impossible to tell when shallow, passable ground will turn into a deep mud pit.
Aftermath
Q: How did you feel after competing 1000 km horseback?
I actually didn’t end the race with any physical pain other than my ankles. (Those had completely torn and partially torn tendons and ligaments in both ankles.) I was tired and wanted a shower, but if I took my ankles out of the equation, I could have kept riding. Mentally, I was fully prepared to ride another day. It’s so weird to shift your brain from survival and “just get on and go” to “hey, you can sit down now.”
One thing I learned from eventing is that it’s not over until you’re through the finish flags. The Derby is the same. When I saw the finish line, I was emotional but knew I couldn’t actually think “I’m done” until I was across the line.
Since then, I actually haven’t been able to ride because of my injuries. I probably won’t be able to until a year after the Derby. I would do anything to be on a horse and feeling like I did after completing 1000 km. Even if you don’t finish the whole 1000 km, realize that however many kilometers you rode, you were able to ride them in a race that some people can only dream of. It’s an accomplishment just to be there.
Above: I love this picture of Grace smiling after completing the race, with the man in the background looking very happy for her.
Q: What was the most important thing you learned?
I feel like there is a “most important thing” in many different categories, but one thing I will say is to ride each horse you have at the moment, and take each leg as you go.
On the horses…
Each horse will be different. You’ll get a bolter, a putzer, a race horse, a horse that you don’t get along with, and a horse that you wish you didn’t have to give back. All you can do is figure out how to approach the horse you have under you and not sweat it.
As you get further into the race, you’ll realize things about previous horses that you can apply to your future mounts. It was super cool to see so many things I learned over the years and had forgotten about come out because I got a horse that needed it.
These horses will tell you how they are right off the bat. Your best bet will be to not fight them. You’ll see quickly how they prefer to go. You just need to find a way to work with it.
I love this advice. It applies to all riding. Don’t fight the horse. Nothing ever comes from fighting horses.
On keeping going…
On the mental side of things: set benchmarks for yourself. Do not think, “Ugh, I have 7 more days of this to go,” but “If I can get past day X, then I’m good,” or even smaller: “OK, I’ll canter as far as that tree on the horizon, then trot or walk.”
Take it piece by piece. This race will throw so many things at you that you cannot make a long-term, rigid game plan without it being a detriment. Be flexible and take everything in stride.
Above: Grace talking to her horse and contemplating the Mongolian steppe while feeling a bit lost. I love this video!
Q: Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?
Overall, I’m super happy with how I rode, but if I were to do it again with the knowledge I have now, I would be more aggressive in the beginning. I think getting as far as you can in the first few days is crucial. That allows you to have extra time to mess up further in the race and can potentially save you from having to ride longer later.
I think I would have been a lot less injured if I had finished in 8 days. The two extra days of riding to finish on the 10th day caused extra wear and tear on my body. Things that slowed me down at the beginning were drawing a super slow horse off the start line, staying longer than needed with riders who had fallen to make sure they were OK, and not using a fast horse to its full potential.
If you have a good horse, use it. But sometimes a slow horse will go better with a pair, as these horses tend to go faster together. It’s a give and take, but my biggest “would do differently” would be to gain as much ground as possible early in the race.
The pros and cons of riding with others
I stayed a little bit too long with riding partners I shouldn’t have, just because our horses were so different. I wanted to stay with a partner at times, but my horse wanted to run and theirs did not keep up. That can be detrimental. You’ll wear yourself out trying to stay with someone and have to fight your horse.
On the other hand, I made amazing friends with the people I stopped with. I used that first day to really figure out how to settle in. It’s a give and take.
As long as you communicate with the person you’re riding with and want to go off on your own because your horses don’t seem to be a good match, people will usually understand. Most of the time you’ll find them again at a horse station in the evening.
Q: Would you do it again?
Finishing was my goal. I did that. I don’t think I would do the Derby again, especially knowing how my ankles got so injured. Ask me this question again in 10 years though. I would do a similar, shorter event or one of Erik’s trips, though. I loved just being out in the wilderness alone with the horse.
It’s such an amazing experience, and even though I was in immense pain, it was still the most fun thing I’ve ever done.
Summarize your experience in a single sentence!
“You can still smile when you’re breathing through pain.”
Even though you’re in pain, you’re going to miss the pain once it’s over. I tell people all the time that it was the most pain I’ve ever been in, but also the most fun I’ve ever had.
Above: Grace looking happy and triumphant on the stage after completing the Mongol Derby.
… and is there anything else you would like to say?
Pack hand sanitizer. You will run out, but you can top off a bit at the long drops of some of the horse stations if they have hand sanitizer there (sparingly, not taking it all from others).
HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK. You’ve got this, and don’t forget to realize where you are when you’re riding in the race. Take a breath.