The Long Riders' Guild

Equestrian Exploration and Endurance Leaders condemn world’s largest unethical horse race

An unprecedented alliance of equestrian, endurance and exploration editors, reporters and riders in New Zealand, North America, England, Europe and Mongolia have spent eight months investigating what is believed to be the most potentially damaging equestrian event ever attempted, a one thousand kilometre race using 800 horses.

The Long Riders' Guild would like to make it clear that it has no hidden agenda, and will not profit in any way from trying to have this race stopped.  On the contrary, Long Riders, explorers and horse-lovers from around the world have spent their valuable time protesting on behalf of the little Mongolian horses, without thought of reward.  Every one of these individual acts of equestrian patriotism reinforces The Guild's abiding belief that the mother-tongue of many humans is "horse."

This collective belief was aptly expressed by the renowned British Long Rider, Stephen McCutcheon, who is making a solo ride from Delhi to Beijing.  "Naming something as a charity event does not justify the actions of the organisers.  The exploitation of innocent Mongolian ponies is a heinous crime, and one I hope is prevented from occurring," the Long Rider said.

The following detailed report, as well as the many open letters to various corporate, charity, equestrian and political leaders, represents the collective anger and outrage being felt by the horse world at large.

As the famous Historical Long Rider, Roy Chapman Andrews, once said, pay-to-ride contestants such as the ones who have been enticed to participate in this unethical, and highly dangerous, event, will never discover the truth of the Mongolian steppes.

“The Secrets of the Steppes will never be yielded up to such as these, who will speed their way across the miles of silent prairie, hearing nothing, feeling nothing, knowing nothing of that great unknown.”

Click here to read "Mongol Derby Winner secretly paid to ride".

Click here for news about the "Quislings in the Barn"

Click here to read an open letter to President Elbegdorj of Mongolia, from one of the most experienced endurance riders on the planet.

Click here for the news about "An Alarming Alliance."

Click here to sign up for The Guild's Newsletters.

 

Click here to read a few of the thousands of comments from outraged horse-lovers from around the world

Click here to read Mongol Derby News Links, Blogs & Forums

Statement from VET Net calling for the Mongol Derby to be halted

Read "Racing into Trouble," the investigative report regarding the world's most harmful equestrian event.   Click here to read it as a PDF file, or here to access a text only file

Read the grave warnings issued to the competitors by Long Riders with Mongolian experience

Read Animal Sacrifice, a report on the equestrian traveller hired to promote the race but banned from The Guild.

Read an open letter to the families and participants who are unaware of Mongolia's many perils

Support the international boycott against the companies who are lending their merchandise and support to the non-sanctioned Mongolian race.

Read an open letter to Richard Dunwoody, former champion jockey who is now actively promoting the Mongol race.

Read an open letter to Princess Haya, President of the Fédération Internationale Equestre, calling for that organisation to protect the integrity of endurance riders around the world.

Read an open letter to James Fitzpatrick, the British MP and newly-appointed Minister for the Horse

Read an open letter to the CEO of Time Warner, parent company of Horse & Hound magazine, which supports the race.

Read an open letter to CEO of World Horse Welfare

Read an open letter to the Charities Commission

Read an open letter to the CEO of Mercy Corps

Contact information

 

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