The most important thing in preparing for the world’s longest horse race in hours is the saddle. There’s no way to prepare for 1,000 km before I get there, so long days will just have to do! As the days tick down closer and closer to the Mongol Derby, I am riding as much as possible.
My big milestone in prepping is an upcoming trip to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. I will be spending a week in the area, riding all day every day, starting with a 25 mile endurance ride on the first day. This solid week of riding will be a great way for me to gauge how far along I am in my training and how far I still need to go.
Getting the horses in shape for the ride at Biltmore is a challenge, especially this early in the season—the weather is less than cooperative. Long, slow hill work and lots of trotting is the start of getting fit, and then adding either distance or speed each ride, but never both at the same time.
It goes without saying that my Endurance chaps from Just Chaps are one thing I don’t need to worry about – they do the job perfectly.
I’m looking forward to the trip—keep an eye out for updates on how it goes!
For more information about the riding chaps used by Kelsey Eliot, get in touch today.