What is the Mongol Derby?

This Saturday, CIC member Flurina Hammer will be taking part in the 2022 Mongol Derby in support of the CIC’s upcoming Flying Vets project.

The project will aim to promote and enhance the ability of local communities in Mongolia to identify, respond to and manage wildlife diseases. This will include addressing issues related to wildlife-domestic livestock interactions and the related transmission of diseases (including zoonoses), thereby reducing the potential threat posed to public health, food safety, as well as wildlife conservation.

This, however, begs the question: What is the Mongol Derby?

The Derby is an internationally renowned equestrian race, also known as “the longest & toughest horse race in the world.”

For ten days each August, a group of riders from around the world travel to Mongolia to traverse across the steppe.

The race lasts ten days, and covers a distance of 1000km. While riders are supported throughout the race by a logistics team, they are largely left to fend on their own, including navigating across the difficult terrain.

The race is truly a test of both physical endurance and mental fortitude, one that is the subject of international news coverage by a wide range of media outlets.

With the world’s eyes on Mongolia during this period of time, we thought there was no better opportunity to introduce the Flying Vets project to new audiences.

Flurina – whose participation in the Derby is entirely self-financed – came forward with the idea to take part in the race in support of the CIC’s work. This is where the Flying Vets was born.

To learn more about the Flying Vets, you can do so here.

If you would like to support the project, and in turn help local communities and wildlife in Mongolia, donate using this link.