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 since my first post (Entering the world’s toughest horse race). But this month’s been a challenge. Just too busy! Not that busyness can be an acceptable excuse. It’ll only get worse! In the interest of getting it done, this blog post will be short–but very important. Below I will present the first version of my Mongol Derby wish list.
Photo credit for featured image: The Equestrianists.
Why make a Mongol Derby wish list?
Making lists is part of the way I cope with a busy life. Lists help me prioritize, remember, and avoid feeling overwhelmed. I’ve already made at least five lists specific to my Mongol Derby plans. This wish list started out as two lists: pre-Derby preparations list and Derby equipment list.
I’ve decided to turn them into a “wish list” on the suggestion of a friend. A lot of people have asked me how they can help me ride this race. Many have suggested I start a GoFundMe campaign. I might eventually do that. However, I would prefer to fund this with sponsorship from companies that stand to benefit in some way. I am working on that, but it takes time.
Of course, I welcome in-kind sponsorships (where businesses provide goods or services instead of cash). In fact, my two confirmed sponsors so far are for services. Many of the goods on the list below are products of companies I have already reached out to. No success yet! Hence the suggestion I make a wish list.
A wish list lets others know what I need
In the best case scenario, a target company will somehow notice and decide to sponsor me. (Most of the companies have not responded… But to be honest I haven’t put much effort into contacting them yet.) A wish list also lets friends and family see what I need, giving them the opportunity to support me without passing through GoFundMe.
A wish list gives others the opportunity to offer suggestions
PLEASE, if you have any suggestions, share them in comments here or via social media. I’d love to hear advice on how I may better prepare for the Mongol Derby and what gear I should obtain.
How I am making my Mongol Derby wish list
I started my lists while talking with an old family friend who completed the 2019 Derby. Wendy mentioned many things I hadn’t even thought about. We talked for hours, and I completely failed to sit right down and make lists. I need to speak with her again!
I have learned more about what I will need from interviewing Grace Netter about her 2025 Mongol Derby experience. (Read about it: Smiling through the pain!) I also rode 50 miles with this year’s Gaucho Derby finisher, Anna Dieffenbach. (Read about Anna in my blog, Catch riding in endurance: Training for the Gaucho & Mongol Derby.)
I hope to interview many more successful Derby riders. In the meantime, I am using my own experience riding endurance. I know my physical limitations and am doing my best to address them. Then there are skills I need to hone, such as navigating with topographic maps.
The list below is only preliminary, but I have to start somewhere.
What’s on my Mongol Derby wish list so far
Skills I hope to acquire and what I need to acquire those skills
Mongolian!
I hope to have a rudimentary knowledge of the Mongol language before August 2027. Fortunately, Language Trainers, my very first official sponsor, is making that possible. I plan to start my lessons this June.
Orienteering!
Orienteering refers to navigating unfamiliar terrain with a map and a compass. I will need to navigate from waypoint to waypoint (horse stations) based on topographic maps. I have some experience because I use topographic maps on a regular basis to plan hiking and riding routes. It’s not nearly enough though, because I am usually in familiar mountainous terrain.
Above: A section of the High Sierra that I have explored with the help of Gaia topographic maps. I did the same in the Marble Mountains some years ago (Riding in the Marble Mountains). However, I first planned my routes with the aid of existing trails. Yes, I did have to go off trails, but in Mongolia there won’t be handy pre-existing trails that load in Gaia. (Mongolia is devoid of Gaia maps.)
There are orienteering clubs throughout the US, but the closest one is in LA (Los Angeles Orienteering Club). There are even horseback orienteering clubs! National Association of Competitive Mounted Orienteering. Unfortunately, it seems to be more of an East Coast and Midwest thing, though there is a club in Washington State. I’m thinking I need to contact one of the clubs and see if I can travel to participate with someone else’s horses.
Gear needed
For learning Mongolian, I’ll have to wait and see what my instructor suggests.
For orienteering: Compass…. And probably more things I can’t imagine until I learn more. REI has a great page on Orienteering Basics.
Other preparatory activities and equipment needed
Right now I am focusing on getting physically ready for the event.
Addressing physical limitations
Stretching
I have enhanced my stretching routine. My blog post on Dealing with hip pain associated with horseback riding demonstrates my old favorites. I will need to update it. (Equipment needed: none.)
Yoga
My sister-in-law Maite (featured in the hip pain blog post) talked me into doing yoga several years ago. Now I try to get in three yoga sessions a week. It has really helped improve my balance and flexibility. (Equipment needed: none. I have asked Maite for more stretches targeting specific areas.)
Physical Therapy
I returned to my orthopedic surgeon to obtain current images and his opinion of my right hip and lower back. Both are slightly compromised but nothing needs drastic action. I have just started a new session of PT to better gauge my weaknesses and learn exercises to improve. Most of it is strength training.
Equipment needed: Therabands: I need the dark green ones, because I lost the last variety pack I bought. Exercise balls: I need a small one (10″ maybe?) for an exercise I was assigned this week (bridge with ball between knees). I’ve been needing balls of different sizes for years. Theraband has them too but I’ll look on amazon. Bosu ball: Not entirely necessary, but I’ve wanted one for a long time.
Above: Springville Day Spa is my first local sponsor!
Massage
Angela at Springville Day Spa is helping me deal with pain associated with hip, back, and neck issues. She does various types of massage. With me, she is using a combination of fascial release and ortho-bionomy. It feels good and seems to help relieve pain, but I need to schedule regular sessions to get the full benefit. Because I spent half the week out of town, this is not easy!
I also plan to find a massage therapist in Bakersfield for during the week.
Strength training
PT recommends strength, but I will need to go above and beyond the exercises that target my hip. I know much of what I need to do: everything from squats (which I hate) to push ups. (Equipment needed: none but willpower.)
I need to focus on grip as well. I know from my experience racing that having a strong grip makes dealing with horses that pull much easier.
Cardiovascular fitness
I currently run 2-3 miles once a week, and hike 10-12 steep miles 1-3 times a month. I walk all the time. This weekend I will ride two 50-mile endurance rides. I’m relatively fit… but not fit enough.
I need to try to jog more, perhaps incorporating interval training. I can’t do long distances without compromising my hip. I need to ride more. (Equipment needed: Horses that can go long distances, and time!)
Items needed for the Mongol Derby
This is an essential list that will evolve. Packability and light weight are essential, because I will need to fit everything in a saddle bag that can weigh no more than 11 pounds.
Ultralight super-packable sleeping bag. I really like Sea to Summit’s ultralight bags.
Ultralight sleeping pad: Again, Sea to Summit’s collection is best. (Yes, I have reached out to Sea to Summit. No response.)
Ultralight dry bags and compression bags: Grace told me I’d need these. Again, Sea to Summit’s bags are the most recommended.
Hydration pack. I have used several. My favorite is the inexpensive Miracol pack. I could use something with a bit more space, but I might just get a new Miracol. (Current one is ten years old.)
Camera: I have a GoPro. Grace used an Insta360 that looked a lot smaller, but a quick search tells me the newest GoPro is lighter. Possibly don’t need a new camera, but I will need accessories.
Clothing
Lightweight waterproof jacket. Need to do research.
Riding tights. I have heard a lot about Stoko‘s supportive tights. They sound great for my hip and back. I bought some that support knees on eBay (my knees can also use help). They do provide knee support, but they are time-consuming and difficult to put on. That’s not a great idea in a 10-day horse race. I’ll be too tired to fight with hard-to-put-on and take off tights. Open to suggestions.
Boots. I ride in hiking boots, specifically Lowa’s Renegades. I love them. They don’t really need to be on my Mongol Derby wish list because I always have some. But maybe Lowa wants to sponsor me 😉
Helmet: I’ll probably want a new one. My current helmet is Trauma Void, and they seem to have gone out of business. I am considering Resistol’s Ridesafe helmet because I like the brim. I am worried that it might not be comfortable and it doesn’t have MIPS.
Helmet visor: So I will probably need to put a big visor on an English or racing style helmet. DaBrim looks good.
Ultralight jockey racing vest. Per Sophia McKee’s suggestion.
Gloves: I don’t usually ride with gloves, but I will need them over 1000km.
Body holster: When I renewed my concealed carry permit, we watched a video with a woman demonstrating a holster. She had guns all over her body. I immediately thought of the Mongol Derby. I want something that holds items like medication and my phone tight against my body without jostling.
Alternatively, I could get a fishing vest, but they don’t hold things as tightly against the body.
For the horse
Stirrups and leathers. Saddles are provided, but riders must supply their own stirrups and leathers. Wendy told me she had hers made, which I could ask McCall to do. I am trying a pair of FlexOn stirrups I ordered on eBay. I had seen them in Spain a few years ago. Ugly as sin (not to be combined with beautiful custom-made leather products), but yes comfortable.
Above: The FlexOn stirrups I am trying. If I decide to use them I will paint over that green. I’ve got them attached to my Zaldi saddle.
I will choose leathers after choosing stirrups.
Sheepskin stirrup leather covers: Grace recommended these from Riding Warehouse. I’ll also need a sheepskin saddle cover. (Grace also used one from Riding Warehouse.) I used to make my own. With my lack of time to breathe, I will not be doing that!
Mongol Derby saddle: I would love to find and purchase a used Mongol Derby saddle. I’ve asked on Facebook but no luck yet. I mainly want one to get my gear sorted out. (E.g., sheepskin cover, stirrups.) I contacted their maker, Franco-C Saddlery, but they cannot make me one to my specifications. I am looking! If you have one, please let me know.
What else do I need?
Yes this list must grow, and again, I welcome suggestions!