Jessie Dowling

Training for an endurance race, especially the longest in the world, takes strength–physical & mental–resilience, and a desire to journey into the unknown.

Before the transformative experience of the Mongol Derby, I was a sheep and goat dairy farmer running a successful cheese making business for over a decade. It was part of my identity, it was my life.

Returning from the life-changing trip, I realized that there was a hollow feeling within that wouldn’t be filled by producing cheese. It would be filled only by pursuing my dreams of adventure on horseback and bringing people back to nature, training others to find their own strength and resilience, and connecting in a heart-centered way with horses.

THE JOURNEY

It’s funny how a little decision can lead to a total life transformation. Listening to the "Journey On Podcast with Warwick Schiller" was a turning point for me, when I heard Stevie Delahunt's episode, where she discussed training people for the Mongol Derby, something sparked deep within me. I began training my horses for endurance, applied, and was accepted into the 2023 Mongol Derby.

What followed was an intense year of preparation, training in Idaho with Martin Black, attending boot camps and races with Stevie in Oregon, and honing my fitness through running, yoga, and strength training. I spent time out in Ohio with Stevie’s trainer, Solange Ellis, working on my riding position, and I even immersed myself in Mongolian culture, taking weekly language classes with Oyunaa Ganbat in Ulaanbaatar via zoom.

Completing the world's longest horse race was the most exhilarating 10 days of my life. In July 2024, I raced the Tevis Cup with Stevie and her exceptional team of horses and riders. It was a beautiful way to kickstart my new career and I am so excited to see where this new path leads me.

Jelly Bean

ARABIAN GELDING | 12 yrs old
I bought Jelly Bean from an endurance rider in New York to train for the the MOngol Derby. He was too much horse for her and had 'race brain" and indeed at my first 30 mile ride with him at GMHA in Vermont in 2022 he wildly cantered sideways much of the race. Over the past two years, as my horsemanshp skills increased and my relationship with him deepened Jelly Bean just fisinshed his firse 50 mile ride since 2019 without a meltdown or sideways stride. He is goofy and sensitive and very eager to please, what had been labeled race brain was actually just anxiety and we are working to build his confidence every day. Jelly is an excellent teacher and loves to lead the team.
Maggie

ANDALUSIAN SPOTTED DRAFT CROSS MARE | 13 yrs old
I was gifted Maggie along with her sister Sadie in 2011 when she was a weanling. She has grown into the most reliable and confident horse I have ever met. She takes care of beginner riders and loves to trot out on trail. She knows what she wants and and loves her job.
SADIE

HALFLINGER/SPOTTED DRAFT CROSS MARE | 13 yrs old
Sadie is Maggie's half sister and she is full of love, she is calm and sensitive