The marvellous Dr. Orgil is Director of the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Unit and the Chief Equine Vet in Mongolia. The following letter is his assessment of the pioneering 2009 race, an expression of thanks to all the riders and an invitation for the Mongol Derby to return in 2010.
Mongolia is a country in Great Gobi and South Siberian steppes Region of Central Asia, with super continental climate, sparsely populated (two million people), with predominate economic base consisting of animal husbandry, agriculture and light industry.
Historians recognised that Mongolians have been rearing five types of animals: cows, horses, camels, goats and sheep for over five thousand years.
From the above horses were most favoured and used for transport, horse stations, sports and their milk, maine, tale, wool and skin were used in everyday life of Mongolian families. Based on history records Mongolians set up horse stations with the aim to deliver important messages fast in 12th century. These horse stations were functional until 1949 and were replaced by car stations.
However, it should be proudly noted that the horse stations which have disappeared for 60 years have been reestablished to organise 1000 km long horse race tour with immediate transmission to the whole world through modern media. Here my appreciation and gratitude to Mongol Derby organisers and a team behind this race tour are being conveyed.
This long distance horse race-tour based on horse stations has given a great and rare opportunity to exchange experiences and to bring together horse riders from different countries, professionals in the field of equine health and equine sport’s equipment, vets and ordinary Mongolians.
I would like to share below my opinion and conclusions as a Chief Vet of Mongolia and as a participant coordinator vet in this event from the Mongolian side.
First of all I would like to note that the long distance horse race tour based on horse stations was a huge success and is very significant as an event possible to be organized annually in our country, a brand-new sport tourism variety.
I would like to clarify “possible to be organised annually in our country” term here. Over 600 horses participated in this horse race-tour and it is very easy to prepare 800-1000 horses in short time in our country. Mongolian herders are proficient in training, feeding, caring and preparing Mongolian horses and it can be done independently from foreign horse riders.
Mongolia is a vast country with a state owned land free to use by public and there will not be any prohibitions to anybody travelling on a horse for 1000 kms. As was shown during this year’s event people who are traditionally supportive of horse races and are delighted to see foreign riders.
Although Mongolian horses are small in size they are very strong for this type of race-tour, resilient and proved that they are used to the rocky terrain, rarely get hurt in their legs, tendons, hooves on the steppe. Also their lungs and heart are exceptionally well trained to sustain pressure.
Therefore, this type of horse station based long distance horse race-tour has a great potential to develop in our country.
Our Agency believes that it is important to develop this horse station based race-tour further by organizing it annually with adding different routes to allow more picturesque scenery for riders, have horse shows and programmes in between races such as kids races, horse taming, archery from the back of the horse. Also it will be possible to record ability achievements of both Mongolian horses and riders in Guiness book of Records.
Using this opportunity I would like to express my great gratitude to vets Harry, Jenny, William, Nadia, Peter and Kate from UK, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as Lynn from Barefoot saddles South Africa. My heartfelt thanks to all riders Anna-Lee, Carina, Charles, Charlotte, Dave, David, Emiy, Galbadrakh, Julian, Julie, Katy, Rowan, Hannah, Holly, Jeremy, Juan, John, Martin, Matilda, Nick, paul, Sabrina, Saskia, Sarah, Tomeu and Will for your ability, bravery and stamina to go through many horse stations, for ignoring our country’s super-continental climate with cold rains and scorching sun, ‘taming’ and riding semi-wild, temperamental Mongolian horses.
Also, I would like to express my thanks to initiators and organisers of the Mongol Derby (Baigal, Khash-Erdene, Tom, Ants and others) and in no doubt that you will receive my invitation for next year. Also, would like to thank all followers and supporters of this years’ first race-tour from all around the world.
Written by Dr. Orgil