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The Mongol Derby is an equestrian endurance race. It extends 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) through the Mongolian Steppe and is the world's longest horse race. The course recreates the horse messenger system developed by Genghis Khan in 1224. In the 2016 race, 21 men and 23 women, representing 13 countries, played the role of the messengers.
The Mongol Derby is a 1,000 km (621 mi) endurance horse race across the Mongolian wilderness. The horses and riders race across the wide-open steppe, cross over steep mountains, trudge through flood plains and semi-arid deserts, trek over sand dunes, and tackle numerous river crossings.
Mounted Mongol nomads holding horse lassos. Mongolian nomads have long been considered to be some of the best horsemen in the world. During the time of Genghis Khan, Mongol horse archers were capable of feats such as sliding down the side of their horse to shield their body from enemy arrows, while simultaneously holding their bow under the horse's chin and returning fire, all at full gallop.
Mongolian horses have great stamina; although they have small bodies, they can gallop for 10 km without a break. When pulling a cart, a team of four Mongol horses can draw a load of 4400 lbs for 50–60 km a day. Because the horses are allowed to live much the same as wild horses, they require little in the way of hoof care.
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The Mongol Empire considered horses as an important factor to its success and tailored other weapons to them. The bow and arrow was created to be light enough to attack enemies while on horseback. The Mongols used composite bows made from birch, sinew and the horns of sheep. This made sturdy but light bows.
Unlike Western horse racing, which consists of short sprints generally not much longer than 2 km, Mongolian horse racing as featured in Naadam is a cross-country event, with races 15–30 km long. The length of each race is determined by age class. For example, two-year-old horses race for 16 km (10 mi) and seven-year-olds for 27 km (17 mi).
Although the Kurultai was a serious political event in the Mongol world, it was also a festival of sorts including great feasting and various traditional games. Many of these traditions have been carried on in the modern-day Mongolian event Naadam, which includes Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery competitions. [6]