Mongol Derby
Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse beside it.... ~ John Moore
State of Texas
Texas Equestrian Seeks Sponsors for Mongol Derby
News Release
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Justin Nelzen was born in the small town of McPherson, Kansas and moved to Houston at the early age of 4. Justin often likes to joke that "I may not have been born here, but I got here as quickly as I could." Those roots have kept Justin coming back his whole life. Justin enlisted in the Navy where he served with various Navy/Marine Corps Units around the world.
Honorably fulfilling his military requirements, Justin soon found his way back home to Texas where he decided to pursue a career in the equine industry. In order to maximize his knowledge, he attended and graduated from numerous schools and clinics from across the country. Some of these schools and achievements include the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School, Equissage (Equine Sports Massage Therapy), Journeyman Farrier Certification by the BWFA as well as clinics ranging in topics from hoof balance to Founder treatments.
2008 marked Justin's first year of Endurance and Competitive Trail competition. From the start he took the sport by storm, Justin as won or trained individuals in many Endurance and Competitive Trail competitions who have gone on to win countless races. Some of his achievements include two Bronze medals at the North American Endurance Race, Grand Champion Competitive Trail Horse and Rider, training Zar: the U.S. horse ridden by Elenn Rapp who represented the U.S. in the Presidents Cup. Justin has raced and trained horses overseas as well as being the first American selected to race in the Mongol Derby, the World’s Longest Endurance Race (1000-1200 km).
How did we get here?
Justin had long excelled in sports, competitions and life. Like most kids Justin played sports such as Football, Baseball, Track, Basketball and Martial Arts. In 1997 Justin went to the World Games for Martial Arts where he walked away with 1 gold and 2 bronze medals. Shortly after the 1997 World Games Justin soon found himself enlisting in the Navy where he got the privilege to serve with some of the finest men and woman in the world. Justin gained rank quickly while serving in the Navy and shortly after a successful tour in Afghanistan he was picked for the Officer Program in the U.S. Marine Corps. After fulfilling his military obligation honorably Justin got out and began his career with horses… this is where the real story begins.
Lilly’s Story:
After becoming a Farrier I decided that wanted to pursue a career in Endurance Racing as well. After doing a little research I came across as wild eyed filly named Lilly (Latteefah is her registered name) in the summer of 2006. Lilly couldn’t be ridden, completely unbroken, and barely safe to be walked and would sometimes attack when being worked in the round pin. To say the least she was a handful in the beginning. Most horses that I break I ride from day one, it took me and another friend almost four weeks before we got her to a point where we thought about riding. Once Lilly figured out that we weren’t trying to eat her she turned into a completely different horse. Rather than being angry all the time she was now able to focus all her energy on her new job, Endurance Racing (50-100 mile races). In addition to having athletic ability I require all my horses to be well mannered (my kids when they were 4 and 6 year old year old were riding her) so we started doing Competitive Trail Riding. Competitive Trail Riding is similar to endurance in that you cover many miles but different in that you are graded by not only vet judges but horsemanship judges that present obstacles along the way. Lilly took both the Endurance as well as the Competitive Trail circuit by storm and began winning almost everything she entered. Lilly, now 9, is old enough to move on to bigger things which is why we are shifting our sights to qualifying for the FEI Championship Races and beyond. In her first FEI competition (Dec 2008) she traveled to Florida with an abscess in her leg that had been drained only a few days before to compete against some of the top ranked horses. Admittedly we took the race easy (it was her first FEI race) and she still managed to pull out a very easy 10th place finish. She then turned around 6 weeks later, won and took Best Condition in her very next race (75 miles). Later that same year Lilly traveled to Illinois to compete in the North American Championship Endurance Race (U.S., Mexico and Canada). By the day’s end Lilly had proven herself yet again and took two Bronze Medals and was graded second in Best Condition. The head vet commented that “these are the finest horse I have ever seen at a Championship”. We are exceptionally proud of our little mare, currently Lilly is training to possibly compete in the 2010 World Equestrian Games. We expect great things from this mare who we very lovingly call our “War Mare”.
What else have we done?
Dubai: November 2009 I was invited to stay in Dubai to help train and race horses for 2 weeks. While helping train horses for one of the families in Dubai I was asked to participate in one of the endurance races, 120 km (75 miles). The family had 5 horses entered. We had a front running group, a mid pack group and my job was to hold up the back. There were little expectations for the horse I was riding. This was his first 120 km race and he didn’t have a full work-up to prepare for the race. I started the race nice and slow much like most races that I do so I didn’t mind starting in the back. First loop and second went very well. Horse was eager but listened well and pulsed down quickly. However near the end of the third loop it heated up and the winds picked up. I recommended to the rest of the team that they slow the pace down till the horses got use to it. I was ignored. Third loop went well for me as I took my recommendation but both of our middle packers got pulled from the race. Forth loop I recommended the same but again was ignored, again my horse did well but this time our front runners who were sitting in first and second were pulled. Here I was with one loop left and a fresh horse. The last loop I let him go and go we went. We took the last loop, 10 miles at almost a sprint. We passed horses left and right like they stood still. Some tried to stay with us but their horses were spent. In the end we finished 4th, two seconds behind 3rd. It was an amazing race. Shortly after the race I was asked to stay a few more weeks to prepare horses for the next month. During those final weeks training in the desert I received a pleasant e-mail asking me to help crew for the U.S. team as they battle the rest of the world at this grand event. As I crew, my best horse Lilly may be ridden by a foreigner representing another country. Both are great honors and we are excited to be a part of both teams.
Ever heard of the Presidents Cup?
The Presidents Cup is the World Series for Endurance Racing in the UAE. Shortly after my return from Dubai I acquired an amazing horse named Zar, a horse that is co-owned with Jeremy Olson (currently works in the UAE). Zar received the honor of competing in the Presidents Cup Feb 13, 2010. This prestigious event was Zar’s first 100 mile race that required him to drive from Houston to LA, catch a plane to Dubai and race in a completely different environment with the best horses in the world. He was the second horse out of all the foreign horses to finish the race. Previous to this race he was in my training program and with little time to prepare due to last minute selection for the race we are extremely impressed with his performance.
That’s amazing, what are you doing now?
Mongolia!!
The greatest equine adventure in the world. Last summer the Mongol Derby thundered into the pages of equine history. Now the world's longest and toughest horse race is back, longer and tougher than ever. This summer on the 7th of August a new band of 35 courageous riders will mount their steeds deep in the Mongolian steppe to face a grueling 1000-1200 km race across the empty wilderness. Among those selected is our very own Justin Nelzen. Justin is the very first American to be selected to race in the Mongol Derby. Please help make this dream a reality by donating and sending Justin to Mongolia as he represents the United States in the World’s Longest Race.
The Mongol Derby is based on Chinngis Khaan's legendary postal system which could relay messages thousands of miles in a matter of days. Like the mighty Khaan's system the Mongol Derby relies on a network of horse stations (Morin Urtuu in Mongolian) stretching mile after mile across the Mongolian steppe. Find out more about Urtuus on the course page. With ten days to cover the 1000km course riders this is no ordinary horse race, it's not a test of the horse's speed but the rider's skill and endurance - this is the mother of all equine adventures.
The Horses
Mongolian horses are steeped in tradition and myth and a central part of Mongolian culture, outnumbering people there seven to one. These hardy animals are tougher than a pair of steel boots and live out on the steppe all year round. Although smaller than other breeds, Mongolian horses are more than capable of carrying our riders. The Derby works with some of Mongolia's top horse breeders and a network of Horse Racing Associations to gather together a fine batch of healthy horses from across the country. You can find out more about the mighty Mongolian horse on the horses page located on the Official Website: http://mongolderby.theadventurists.com
With over 1000 horses animal welfare is of paramount importance. All the Mongol Derby horses will be carefully selected and checked by vets before even taking part. During the event the horses will be treated to an extensive vet support system to respond quickly to any problems and keep them all healthy.
To ensure horse welfare is at the top of our brave riders' agendas, and to keep the competition fair, they all have to follow the Mongol Derby rules. These detail how riders have to present their horses to our vets as well as all the circumstances under which time penalties and disqualifications will be issued.
Saving a bit of the world
Like all our adventures the Mongol Derby aims to save a little bit of the world. We believe all our adventures should give back to the communities that make the adventure what it is. Each rider raises a minimum of £1000 for our excellent official charity. Have a gander at the official website charity pages for more details.
HELP SEND JUSTIN TO MONGOLIA AND DONATE TO HIS DREAM TO REPRESENT THE USA - DONATE TODAY!
Donations can be received at : www.teamequipro.com or feel free to contact Justin at 281-414-2563
Learn more about the Derby: http://mongolderby.theadventurists.com
Fun Facts about the upcoming Mongol Derby!
This is a 1000 km race. It will be tiring, relentless, difficult and extremely dangerous.
You will be on your own riding across a previously unseen course. There will be no one to guide you and you will be responsible for getting yourself and your horse between one Urtuu and the next.
You will be responsible for the welfare of the 25 horses you are provided with between one Urtuu and the next/
THE WARNING
Before you agree to partake in the Mongol Derby please carefully consider the following. When we talk about horse riding, we mean riding a series of unfamiliar horses across wild Mongolian terrain. By taking part in this race you are greatly increasing your risk of severe physical damage. You could break limbs, suffer internal injuries and become paralyzed or even die. Whilst much of the website may be written in a light-hearted manner please do not underestimate the extreme nature of the Mongol Derby.
Here are just a few statistics about riding and some facts about the Mongol Derby.
You are twenty times more likely to have an accident on a horse than a motorbike.
Air ambulance crews had to be scrambled to help the victims of serious riding accidents in rural UK counties Yorkshire and Lincolnshire alone nearly 150 times in 2006.
Falls from horses can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, even brain damage.
The nature of the Mongol Derby means that if you do fall off, the response time of the medical back up is going to depend on where you are and if you have been able to activate your emergency beacon. And if you are seriously injured you may be hundreds of miles from the nearest hospital.
The Mongol Derby is an extremely physically demanding and dangerous race. This really is the toughest horse race in the world and that is a title it holds for good reason.
HELP SEND JUSTIN TO MONGOLIA AND DONATE TO HIS DREAM TO REPRESENT THE USA - DONATE TODAY!
What you get for your Donation:
Donations under $100: Official thank you letter, picture and information telling everyone about the race, thanking you for sending me and complete details of the race itself so that you can show your friends!!
Donations $500: Official thank you letter, picture and information telling everyone about the race, thanking you for sending me and complete details of the race itself so that you can show your friends!! You will also get your name or company name embroidered on my race shirt so that the whole world will know who sent me!!
Donations $5,000 or more: Official thank you letter, pictures and information telling everyone about the race, thanking you for sending me and complete details of the race itself so that you can show everyone!! You will get your name or company name (or both) embroidered on my race shirt and jacket so that the whole world will know who sent me!! I will also embroider anything you like on my race shirt (must be professional), great for companies that want to put a name, slogan, etc. Also included, your name or company name will be mentioned and thanked in all press releases that we do.
Donations can be placed at: www.teamequipro.com on the Mongol link or feel free to contact Justin at 281-414-2563
Learn more about the Derby: http://mongolderby.theadventurists.com
2008/2009 Stats
2008 Race Season (December 2007 – December 2008) AERC/NATRC/FEI
1st Place Finishes: 10
2nd Place Finishes: 6
3rd Place Finishes: 3
4th Place Finishes: 3
Top 10 finishes: 21 out of 22 races
AERC/NATRC Best Condition: 5
AERC High Point Vet Card: 2
NATRC Sweepstakes Winner: 1
NATRC High Point Breed Award: 1
AHA Region IX Champion
2008 End of Year Awards NATRC:
1st Place Heavy Weight Division Horse (Horse)
1st Place Heavy Weight Division Horsemanship (Rider)
1st Place Team Champions (Horse and Rider Combo)
Grand Champion Horse
High Point Arabian
Traveling Trophy’s: High Point Arabian Horse and Horsemanship (Combo) and High Point Horse and Horsemanship (Combo)
2009 Race Season
AERC/FEI/Horses Trained Ridden by Clients
(We did not do any NATRC races in 2009)
1st Places: 9
2nd Places: 2
3rd Places: 3
Top 10 Finishes: 17 out of 21 races
AERC Best Condition: 3
AERC High Point Vet Card: 5
2 Bronze Medals at the North American Championship
Successfully race and trained horses in Dubai, UAE
Presidents Cup 2nd foreign horse to finish (Feb. 2010)