“Worst Injury You Could Get”: Disaster Strikes Equestrian World as Rider Falls During ‘World’s Longest and Toughest’ Race

Tragic accidents are something that all of us abhor. And especially when it happens at an event that is held for a good cause. Recently a heart-wrenching incident took place at The Mongol Derby. This is the world’s largest and toughest race of equestrian sports and was held in 2009 for the first time. Interestingly, this multi-horse race was designed according to the postal route by Genghis Khan. Though it is one interesting race that renders thrill to its pursuers, it is infamous for its ferocious nature. On the same note, the race ended with a tragic incident this year on 23rd July 2023. Although all precautions are kept in mind, equestrian Martin McMahon met with an accident.

McMahon had participated in this race for helping the Irish Cancer Society. This long race has no comfort zone for the riders and the horses. The entire navigation incorporates the rivers crossing, wetlands, hills, sand dunes, and various other places all on their own. With a lot of preparation and hope, Martin McMahon stepped into this, but his fate did not help him for much longer.

Irish equestrian’s journey cut short after an unfortunate incident 

The Mongol Derby is famous worldwide because of how tough it is. The challenge of racing 1000km across the Mongolian Steppe is something not everyone has the courage to pursue. After taking a two-year break because of the Covid situation, the longest race is back in 2023. Martin McMahon, who participated on behalf of the cancer society, the MS Society of Ireland and Piet House, emphasised on training for near about 18 months prior to the race.

This Mongolian race carried no marked course, the participants were not given any accommodation or food. It is just the riders and the horses galloping around the area facing all the situations. As Martin McMahon could not continue in The Mongol Derby after falling down from his horse, he had a lot to say post that. According to The Irish Times, he expressed, “It’s one of those things, I guess, something that can’t be changed. They are semi-wild horses so sometimes things go to plan and other times, like here, they don’t.”

He further added, “I am in a hospital but I’ll be getting out tomorrow hopefully. The shoulder blade isn’t the worst injury you could get. I’m lucky in that respect, that it’s not a serious break.” Martin McMahon was without a doubt upset with the incident as he had spent so much time in his preparation for the race. This is of course something that he did not expect. He stated, “It was a disaster really. The first thing that comes into your head is ‘Why did this happen?’, but at the end of the day what can you do.” It was tough for him. In the end, he also suggested to others that if someone is looking at this race from a holiday perspective, they have got it all wrong. One would need another holiday after this according to McMahon.

The Irish equestrian speaks about his pulling back from the race

He described this race to be one of the most physically challenging events in the world. This race goes on for 10 days and in a day the riders ride around 14 hours. And they spend their nights resting. He expressed, “You’re racing for over 1,000km and have to deal with so many challenges. the weather for example, it can go from being 35 degrees one day to freezing temperatures the next. Trying to navigate using semi-feral horses too was an interesting aspect to me. There were just so many layers to it.” McMahon grew up with horses and has always been charmed by them. He always wanted to get on them and experience that they can gallop for 20 or 30km. And, this is the reason he was so excited about the race.

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However, McMahon’s fate was not with him, he met an accident halfway through the race. He fell down his horse and broke his shoulder blade. And because of this, he had to back out from the race. He was of course saddened by the incident but did not lose his positive outlook. He expressed, “It was definitely a great experience, absolutely brilliant. I’d go back and do it Gaian tomorrow if I could. I was fabulous and the views were spectacular.” He stated his condition after the race with a heavy heart but with a smile on his face.

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