In 2013, Lara Prior-Palmer became the youngest person to complete and the first woman to win the Mongol Derby, which is a 1,000-kilometer relay race across the steppes of Mongolia aboard half-wild native ponies mimicking Ghengis Khan’s Pony Express. Come hear excerpts from Prior-Palmer’s book, “Rough Magic,” chronicling her experience, participate in a book signing, and enjoy a panel discussion including Prior-Palmer and Carolina-native Mongol Derby competitors on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 6pm at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Learn more about each panelist below!
Location: Cabin 14
6pm
FREE and open to the public
About Lara Prior-Palmer:
Lara Prior-Palmer was born in London in 1994. She studied conceptual history and Persian at Stanford University. In 2013, she competed in the 1,000-kilometer Mongol Derby in Mongolia, sometimes described as the world’s toughest and longest horse race, and became the first woman to win the race, and the youngest person ever to finish. “Rough Magic” is her first book.
Photo Credit: Richard Dunwoody
Julia Fisher:
Julia Fisher, of Hartsville, SC, took her first riding lesson after her youngest child went off to college, and was immediately hooked on Endurance. Accepted to the 2017 Mongol Derby, Fisher was the oldest rider in the field at 65. At the end of day one, a wild dog charged her horse, causing him to bolt. She managed the frightened – and tired! – horse for a hundred yards or so, until horse and rider parted ways and Fisher landed on her GPS and broke a rib. Completing the remainder of the course by wagon following the route with the crew, Fisher was able to stay in the gers with fellow competitors and follow the action from a new perspective.
Rachel Land:
Rachel Land, of Canton, GA, started riding at the age of two, and she’s ridden in multiple disciplines including Endurance. In 2017, she completed the Mongol Derby and has since founded Strength in Arrows Farm, a resource to train and condition horses for the sport of Endurance as well as prepare future riders for the Mongol Derby. She heads back to Mongolia this summer to ride reindeer with the Tsataan people. Her hope is that her boldness inspires her kids and others to pursue their passions throughout their lives, no matter the setbacks. When she’s not on horseback, Land is a wife and a mother to four boys.
Marianne Williams:
Marianne Williams, of Tryon, NC, was 350 miles into the Mongol Derby in 2017 when her horse hit a marmot hole and she came off, breaking her collarbone and requiring surgery back in the United States. Since then, Williams has competed in competitive 50, 100, and 310-mile Endurance races, and is heading to Mongolia this May to take on the 500-mile Gobi Gallop.
Clare Summers:
Clare Summers has loved horses ever since she can remember, and got her first horse when she was 34. Five years later, she started Endurance riding, and has been competing in 50 and 100-mile races over the past 20 years. Her favorite parts of the Mongol Derby were riding lots of different horses, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people, all culminating in quite an adventure.
Book Signing:
Prior-Palmer will available for book signings immediately following the panel discussion, and will be located in the Legends Club throughout competition for signings and conversation. Books will be available for purchase as supplies last. VIP seating in the covered Legends Club is open to the public and tickets can be purchased at www,Tryon.com/tickets.