Girl power fuels a magnificent day's riding for Deirdre Griffith and Willemien Jooste to snatch the win in the July 2022 Mongol Derby, in an edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster of a day.

It's boys v girls as the chaps in the lead cling to a narrow advantage over the trio of chicks in hot pursuit, dreaded penalties threaten to cause an upset for the leaderboard, and love is in the air on the steppe.

The leaders' advantage dwindles in the face of consistently determined riding by the chasing pack, the hills throw everybody off, and pending penalties loom large over some of the frontrunners.

Riders power through the mid-point of the race as gear and bodies begin to creak, the leaders retain their lead by a whisker in an intensifying game of cat and marmot, and a rogue camel commandeered by the crew proves a lucky mascot.

The heat breaks and the rains come down, two riders launch an attack to seize the lead overnight, the Mongolian bogs claim their first victims and CWA treats us to a steppe fashion show.

The leaderboard chops and changes as riders seek out the wildest horses to keep them in contention, and a precious extra hour of riding time makes all the difference for two competitors.

An early lead is lost to a speedy chasing pack, a group of riders find themselves stirrup-less on the steppe, and delighted jockeys hatch plans to smuggle their steeds home.

Two riders establish an early lead, family bonds survive to fight another day, we are treated to an impromptu masterclass in steppe rodeo riding and two Aussies stop off for a nice cool dip.

Start camp survived, today is the day of reckoning for the riders of the July 2022 Mongol Derby.

We thought it would be a great opportunity to explore the background of this spectacular race, and highlight the cultural fabric that underpins this event. 

We knew that we couldn’t cross the river ahead so our route would be an indirect one and would take us a little longer....