My Challenge of a Lifetime

BGA member and freelance groom Zoe Geddes is looking to embark on a challenge of a lifetime - the Mongol Derby - the longest and toughest horse race in the world.

We caught up with Zoe to find out more.

I've always had an obsession with this immense race. Since I was a child I dreamed of riding across the vast country in the wilderness and surviving off the land, being alone with my horse as my only companion.

However, I never had a ‘horsey' childhood. We lived in a small holding and only kept chickens. I asked for a pony on every birthday and one time I got a yes! On my, 12th birthday I was promised one.

But before the time came my parents had separated and all hopes for a pony were lost. It wasn't until a few years later that my interest in horses rose again.

I got pregnant at 16 years old and moved to an old barn conversion close to a riding school.

When I had a few hours, I would go down for lessons. Soon after I started looking for my own horse and bought my first pony, Robin. Looking back I probably should have got a house plant or a cat, but he is fantastic. A beautiful all black Welsh Section D.

A couple of friends rented me some land and my journey started there. I went on to do my BHS stages and learn more about horse husbandry. I was working in my mother's fabric shop for a while, however, I felt like I wanted to be outside and really do something that I loved - which was riding.

Word spread around my new local area and I got more and more work being a freelance groom and rider, which is where you find me today.

So back to the Mongol Derby.

The Mongol Derby is over a thousand kilometres long, tracing the steps of the postal message system set up by Genghis Khan in 1224, and was the fastest way to connect half the planet at the time.

The Mongolian horses used in the race are semi-feral and superbly suited to the extreme varied terrain. The race covers high passes, deep valleys, wooded hills, rivers, wetlands, sandy dunes, rolling hills and of course the vast expanse of the Mongolian steppe.

The horses who live in this environment are incredibly sure footed and can withstand temperatures of 30 °c down to – 40°c.

The race is televised and progress is shared across social media. I will be posting as I go along the race and will have my Live Tracker so everyone knows where I am.

My inspiration

I have recently come out of a really horrible an abusive relationship. I was thinking of something really empowering for myself and something I've always wanted to do. Now my girls now are older it is an ideal time. It's always been a dream of mine to do this race. However, the acceptance into the race was a total shock.

I am supporting two charities during the race; Mercy Corps Mongolia who work with the Mongolian people and their landscape, and the official charity of the race, Cool Earth, who work alongside indigenous villages to halt rainforest destruction.

I have been contacting a lot of different companies for sponsorship and have also set up a crowdfunder. All my friends and family have been helping me raise money which is amazing.

I’m in a lucky position allowing me to train for the race whilst working as my job is largely riding based. I have done a couple of long distance rides and last month I rode across Wales which involved sleeping in old cow sheds and getting up at 5am.

It definitely gave me a taste as to what’s to come and how much more training is needed!

I’m a great believer that if you have a dream you can make it happen. It might take a few years, but never lose sight of your goals.

I will let you all know how training is going soon,

Zoe

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