Tewkesbury soldier Andrew Mobey on fast track to Mongolia
Imagine riding a horse as fast as you can from 7am to 8pm every day, for 10 days.
Then add the fact that you will be riding in a foreign country, over some pretty rugged terrain and often sleeping out under the stars.
Sounds like an incredibly tough challenge doesn’t it?
Well it is but it is one that Andrew Mobey is committed to taking on.
The 21-year-old soldier from Tewkesbury will be part of a five-strong team from the Household Cavalry taking part in the Mongol Derby.
It is considered to be the longest and toughest horse race on the planet, covering 621 miles across the Mongolian countryside.
With no set course route and no facilities, Andrew and his colleagues will race against other international riders who will make their way through the landscape, changing horses every 40km and surviving by living with local herders or sleeping out under the stars.
The annual event began in 2009 and is based upon the long distance postal transmission system that was created by Genghis Khan in 1224.
Andrew said: “The distance, terrain, wild horses, and survival skills are just a number of challenges in our path.
“But the fact that we’re going to be representing the regiment is an added bonus. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have done this in my life had I not been in the regiment so it’s a case of jumping at the chance.”
The former Tewkesbury School pupil, of Tawny Close, Northway, has been training in Norfolk for four weeks ahead of the race, which starts on August 6.
He came home at the weekend before heading back to his regimental barracks in Knightsbridge, London, ahead of the Mongolian challenge.
The aim is to raise money for the Household Foundation, which supports past and present members of the regiment.
But Andrew, who joined the Army straight from school, will also be raising money for Cool Earth, a rainforest charity that works alongside indigenous communities.
He added that although he had trained hard for the event, he did feel daunted by what lay ahead.
“You can’t sugar coat it. As enjoyable as it may be, it’s going to be very hard. From 7am to 8pm every day, we will be riding non-stop,” he said.
To sponsor Andrew, go to justgiving.com/Andy-Mobey3.
Then add the fact that you will be riding in a foreign country, over some pretty rugged terrain and often sleeping out under the stars.
Sounds like an incredibly tough challenge doesn’t it?
Well it is but it is one that Andrew Mobey is committed to taking on.
The 21-year-old soldier from Tewkesbury will be part of a five-strong team from the Household Cavalry taking part in the Mongol Derby.
It is considered to be the longest and toughest horse race on the planet, covering 621 miles across the Mongolian countryside.
With no set course route and no facilities, Andrew and his colleagues will race against other international riders who will make their way through the landscape, changing horses every 40km and surviving by living with local herders or sleeping out under the stars.
The annual event began in 2009 and is based upon the long distance postal transmission system that was created by Genghis Khan in 1224.
Andrew said: “The distance, terrain, wild horses, and survival skills are just a number of challenges in our path.
“But the fact that we’re going to be representing the regiment is an added bonus. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have done this in my life had I not been in the regiment so it’s a case of jumping at the chance.”
The former Tewkesbury School pupil, of Tawny Close, Northway, has been training in Norfolk for four weeks ahead of the race, which starts on August 6.
He came home at the weekend before heading back to his regimental barracks in Knightsbridge, London, ahead of the Mongolian challenge.
The aim is to raise money for the Household Foundation, which supports past and present members of the regiment.
But Andrew, who joined the Army straight from school, will also be raising money for Cool Earth, a rainforest charity that works alongside indigenous communities.
He added that although he had trained hard for the event, he did feel daunted by what lay ahead.
“You can’t sugar coat it. As enjoyable as it may be, it’s going to be very hard. From 7am to 8pm every day, we will be riding non-stop,” he said.
To sponsor Andrew, go to justgiving.com/Andy-Mobey3.
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