Gaucho Derby

Follow the Gaucho Derby live now on @mongolderbylive (this account will not carry full live updates)

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Carmen Jackson made sure we'd be able to spot her for help should she need get into a prickly situation.

Mermaid hair it tis.

#GauchoDerby

Photo by: @Sarahfarsnworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Our races live in places where horses + humans + history collide. Throughout the Gaucho Derby course, riders witness the shadows of the first pioneers and experience firsthand a bit of the hardships they endured.

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Photo by: @Sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Many familiar faces have graced the Gaucho Derby, like Antoine Carl. He happens to be a veteran of the Mongol Derby and earlier this year, tackled everything Patagonia had to offer.

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Photo by: @Sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

One of the most important obstacles of the Gaucho Derby: opening and closing the many gates across Patagonia.

Esther Leenen became a pro at this.

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Photo by: @Sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Some riders can ride an entire race without seeing more than a couple familiar faces. However, a race hold due to weather during this year's race made for a very joyous reunion.

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Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Our air support during the race provided some pretty fine views if we do say so ourselves.

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@sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

There's no better place than in Argentine Patagonia where riders from across the world come and experience the horses of the legendary Gauchos first hand.

Featured (from left to right): Alejandro Alcalde & Simon Kenyon

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Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Carly Tansil going toe to toe against Gaucho Brian Poklepovic in a bit of a race off during the Gaucho Derby Training Academy.

Wanna learn more about our Academies, have a gander via this link:

https://t.co/wwHQHOD21w

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Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

The terrain of the Gaucho Derby takes riders across everything from the high mountain vistas of the Andes to the Jurassic World-esque areas around Lago San Martin.

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Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Race mornings start early, riders like Ciara Cahil waste no time in saddling up and preparing to tackle the next leg.

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Photo by @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

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The Gaucho Derby is a test of not only survival but also horsemanship. Horses are chosen by random draw out of a hat, and if Tobias & Sarah's reactions are any clue- Pam Karner picked a good one.

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Photo by: @SarahFarnsworth

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Gaucho Derby winner Anna Boden (joint winner with Holly Conyers) sat down with @horseandhound to talk about how hunting in England helped her prepare for the Gaucho Derby.

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Photo by @Sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Kirsteen Thain looking very well mounted as she heads out of the horse station.

Rumor has it there's an abandoned gaucho bar (complete w old kegs of wine) around this area....wonder if any of our riders got "lost" and found it....

#GauchoDerby

Photo by Richard Dunwoody

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Holly Conyers-

"Doing this race was a bit of a leap of faith for me as it coincided with quitting my job and moving across continents. It took a while to build up the courage to do it, but there hasn’t been a single second I regretted my decision."

Photo by: Richard Dunwoody

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Coming at ya live, Gaucho Derby rider My Nordstrom is leading the press field this week. Check out her latest feature in Sweden's largest morning newspaper- Dagens Nyheter. Swedish followers grab a copy and have a read.

#GauchoDerby

Images by @Sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Rider Laura Heuer tackles one of many steep hills during the pre race training of the Gaucho Derby.

Before riders set off into the Andes, they undergo pre race training, making sure they are fit and able to tackle what lay before them.

#GauchoDerby

Photo by: Richard Dunwoody

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

I guess we aren't the only ones who aren't into early mornings....

Eh Kade Brassington??

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Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

During the Gaucho Derby our crews are mounted. The course of the race is very remote and mostly only accessible by horseback.

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Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Daniel Van Edene locked, loaded and ready to tackle pre race training of the Gaucho Derby with Carlos Castro.

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Photo by @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports

[Gaucho Derby @gauchoderby]

Ariel Schunk getting our Gaucho Derby steeds prepped for their leg in the race.

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Photo by: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports