February 2022 Sonoma County CA Derby training

I got to spend the last 11 days horseback in Sonoma County. I was given 6 horses to spend as much time on as they were able and I wanted, to explore the County via horseback. I clocked just over 60 hours in total over the 11 days. Not a bad start!

This morning I’m heading back a little ways North to the incredible Montgomery Creek Ranch, (MCR). MCR is a 2000 acre sanctuary for wild horses. There are currently over 200 wild horses living in the big herd forever free and 20-30 younger horses in training on site. 

I’ll be working with some of these horses in training as part of their adoption program. The horses on my string will be in all stages of their education.

I definitely recommend checking out MCR, and learning about the amazing work they do!

https://www.montgomerycreekranch.org

Leaving winter headed south

Hi all,

I’ve got my tack oiled, and gear packed and I’m migrating south until Spring! 

I’ve begun my next big transition to prepare for this years Mongol Derby (race starts July 20th 2022). Riding across the Steppe, for days on end, will mean preparing by riding horses for days on end.

First stop, I’ll be in Sonoma County CA from February 12-24th. I have a few re-starts scheduled and many long milers to ride. 

From there I’ll be heading north the the famous Montgomery Creek Ranch, a beautiful wild horse preserve and training center. There I’ll be starting a few under saddle, putting time on youngsters who’ve had a solid start already, and getting my miles in on the saddle horses that have the endurance for longer half day rides.

This winter and spring are booked solid, so I’m confident once May rolls around and I make my way back home in the north, I’ll be ready for the fresh young colts I have waiting for their starts there.

The 2022 derby is looking like an incredible group of riders. I am planning on flying to Ulaanbaatar July 14th at the latest, for a July 20th pre-race start date.

More to come!

Happy winter all:)

Video update 8/14/21

Even though our race this year was canceled, I’m still going to share periodic updates! Hope you all are well and enjoying this summer as much as I can.

I’m sending out thank you gifts to all you amazing donors. Send me your mailing addresses via text!

2021 Mongol Derby officially postponed to next year

Mongol Derby 2021 Canceled-postponed for 2022 due to covid boarder closures

It’s with a very heavy heart I have to share with you a sudden change of status for our 2021 derby. The Mongolian government has been promising to open their boarders since April. The first date was May 1st then it was pushed to June 1st and now there is no opening scheduled in the foreseeable future. This made the Mongol Derby organizers have to make the very difficult decision to cancel the 2021 derby for good. The back and forth, and unknowns make the entire organization of this epic race nearly impossible in this scenario. There are just too many lives and details at stake for a last minute cancelation. The team has pushed all 2021 riders to 2022. I took this news a bit hard. I’ve spent so much time and energy preparing for August, and so have you all! My horses, my community, the support have all been so incredibly fantastic. I am blown away at the generosity and excitement buzzing, and I don't want any of you to loose that buzz! I know I wont, and I plan on being even more prepared and strong for our 2022 race.

Please feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions.For now, I will focus on learning more Mongolian, stay in shape, become an expert on long distance tactics, and of course continue to ride and ride and ride.

I appreciate all of your understanding, and again.... THANK YOU ALL!!

Video update 5/29/21

Hey everyone! Memorial Day weekend:) Hope everyone is spending time filling their cups metaphorically and physically.

Here’s a little update. 

An you may have noticed, I changed the total fundraising amount on GoFundMe down to $12500. This is because I have received direct donations and this now reflects where we are at in fundraising! Huge huge success you all! Seriously, this dream and adventure is happening because of all of your generosity. I’m so excited to take you all with me on this wild ride. I just posted an update video, that goes through the gear I’ve purchased and am testing out. I bought my ticket to and from Ulaanbaatar, and.... I got a big $3,000 donation from the incredible Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC). 

POAC is an nonprofit organization that brings so much color, culture and knowledge to the community here in Northern ID. I am so proud to be sharing my experience from the Derby and Mongolia with the community upon my return. Our plan is to have a series of lectures at local schools, as well as a Q&A post race. It’s my honor to share my adventure and hopefully inspire others to dream big and see their adventures come to fruition. 

Thank you POAC! I’m thrilled to be a part of the fall Arts and Culture series here in Sandpoint. As you know from my video, I’m down with strep this beautiful long weekend, so I’m taking the opportunity to get briefed up on additional race reading material, and getting brushed up on my G64 nav skills. Ideally the antibiotics kick in shortly and I get my tonsils back to a normal size.

Cheers!

And much love,

Lena

Video update 5/15/21

Riding riding, biking, running... I’ve also changed my diet pretty aggressively to trim down to my most athletic shape. What an exciting time, we are now on the countdown for the derby! And it is with a full heart and an immense amount of gratitude to say, my race fee’s are 100% paid for THANKS TO YOU ALL INCREDIBLE PEOPLE! I am still fundraising the last $1500 for my ticket out to Mongolia. Ticket prices are about $2000. I’m also working on ordering appropriate gear for the race. 

Items will include:

Lightweight breathable helmet

Hardy full seat breeches X2

Boots and half chaps

Hardy and light rain gear 

Ultra light sleeping bag

Endurance specific stirrups 

Stirrup leathers

back brace wrap

Water treatment 

A lot of Vaseline 

Also as I am getting a lot of inquiries about this latest video... the reason elastic underwear is so evil is because, when you ride a long time in elastic rimmed underwear, it works like a slow saw into your leg. No bueno! I’ve got a few ideas, but any of you long riders, please share your ideas!

So much love and gratitude,

Lena

Video update 5/6/21

Behind the scenes... I’ve been working my shorts off to continue my routine. However there is a bit of a hiccup as Mongolian boarders have been closed. Due to Covid, Mongolia along with many other countries has been on lock down. The plan was to reopen starting June 1st, but we’ll be getting the go or no go for sure 5/7/21 am! I will keep you guys posted. If for any reason it’s postponed, no fear, I’ll be riding in 2022!

Mongol Derby training

Whats it look like to get ready for a derby? In all honestly nothing feels like enough!

1. Riding - I could ride all day long and still ride more to prep. Riding needs to involve going trough various gaits frequently, I lope about 30 mins, we spend the majority of the time trotting 2 point, sitting trot and posting. Ideally, I need to be on a squirmy horse, and one thats got a bit of buck to it. I need fast horses and slow horses. My mare Maive is getting so mellow I‘m going to start looking for a few others to add to my string.

2. Cardio - for me this is running and mountain biking. There may be times on the Steppe where a job will need to ensue if I loose my horse, or if my mount needs to cool down quickly. Also, its just a good way to stay fit. 

3. yoga - gotta stay limber! I’ve ridden hundreds of miles in short periods of time. And I’ve found that getting blood flow moving fluidly, and letting my muscles and tissue function as they should. 

4. general strength training - abs baby, getting down to crunch something serious.

Are there enough hours in the day? Not really. Can we add a few? I‘ve got a steady practice of waking up at 5, starting with a jog, wrapping up with some yoga and floor exercises, breakfast/tea, get to work, skip lunch so I can get off early and proceed with the horse till dusk. It‘s a fine dance. And I love dancing!

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