Jakkie Mellet © Julian Herbert.

@ Mongol Derby 2017

South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are currently battling it out for the lead on Day Three of the 2017 Mongol Derby, the world’s longest and toughest horse race.

Potato farmer, Jakkie Mellet, 40 from Lydenburg, South Africa, has covered almost 420km of the 1000km race, with the hugely experienced rider Marie Palzer, 22, from Marahau, New Zealand, riding alongside Olympic heptathlete,  Ed Fernon, 29, from Sydney, Australia, just a few kilometres behind.

Terrible weather conditions (driving rain and freezing cold!) have made this year’s race live up to its ‘toughest’ billing, and there have already been three retirees - Jane Boxhall, UK - fall, Julia Fisher, US - cracked ribs and Rick Helson, USA - dehydation and hypothermia. It’s tough out there on the steppe!

Marie Palzer and Ed Fernon.

© Julian Herbert @ Mongol Derby 2017

Ed Fernon, 29, Sydney, Australia

Ed’s aim is to excel at life’s adventure and what better way than taking on the Derby. Ed competed for Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games in Modern Pentathlon, has summited Aconcagua, the highest peak in the southern hemisphere, and has previously ridden 1000km when he rode from Braidwood, NSW to Melbourne over the Snowy Mountains, following the legend of the first Melbourne Cup winner, Archer.

Marie Palzer, 22, Marahau, New Zealand

Horse riding provides Marie with a sense of freedom and empowerment. She entered the Mongol Derby as she is completely addicted to adventure and pushing herself to her limits. She taught herself to ride at a young age, now she classifies as a long-distance rider having spent 102 days travelling solo on horseback. She trains green horses, works at a horse trekking company, competes in trail rides, gives riding lessons and alongside all that Marie is a Waldorf Steiner teacher. "I think it’s wonderful to take what you love and turn it into a gift that makes the world a better place". 

Jakkie Mellet, 40, Lydenburg, South Africa

City kid turned seed potato farmer. Whilst growing up in Johannesburg, the time Jakkie spent visiting the farm was always magical, “because that was the time spent riding and being wild outside”. 12 years ago, he moved to the farm, at that stage more for the sake of the horses than potatoes…. Doing the Derby “to prove to his kids their dad is no sissy boy and to push the mental limit of life as we know it”.

Marie Palzer and Ed Fernon.

© Julian Herbert @ Mongol Derby 2017

Source: Press release

READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE