Kyalami resident still in Mongol Derby

At the time of going to press Rall-Behm had not finished the race yet but was in the field with seven other riders.

For the first time, a woman rider, Lara Prior-Palmer, won the derby – with women all in the top five places. Rider Devan Horne, who had led the whole way, crossed the finish line first but was penalised with time after her horse did not pass the veterinary check.

Riders Clare Twemlow and Kirsten Melis were tied in third place, crossing the finish line holding hands, and Chloe Phillips-Harris finished in fifth place.

Only 15 of the 30 riders who started the derby were expected to finish the race, which started on 4 August.

Rall-Behm decided to participate in the fifth annual derby in order to spread awareness for The Rhino Sanctuary, based in Limpopo, which cares for baby rhinos that have been orphaned as a result of poaching.

The derby is dubbed the toughest horse race in the world as competitors ride semi-wild Mongolian ponies from station to station for 1 000 km across Mongolia.

On 10 August Rall-Behm finished at horse station 18, three stations up from horse station 15 which she finished at on 9 August.

From the start, the conditions were harsh with rainstorms and freezing temperatures, and most riders had to wear soaking wet clothes for their ride, as there was no way to get their clothes dry. At the starting line, it was reportedly so hot that a rider passed out, and the temperatures continued to soar throughout the day.

Rall-Behm was among the 25 riders who finished day one at station two. Only Horne managed to ride to station three.

Day two was cold with rain and wind and saw the riders spread out in the field with Rall-Behm finishing the day between stations six and seven with six competitors in the field in front of her. One rider pulled out after suffering from gastric ‘flu and is still recovering.

Rall-Behm has not updated her blog since she started the derby but she detailed her travelling experiences, which included her struggles to exchange currency and trying to find her misplaced luggage. She also said she was unable to sleep on the plane from the excitement.

She thanked everyone for their well wishes and for her send off.