'WORLD'S TOUGHEST HORSE RACE' TESTS AUSTRALIAN RIDER

A Northern Territory resident has recently returned from Mongolia, where she competed in “the world’s longest and toughest horse race”, the Mongol Derby.

Natalie Bell competed in the ten-day, 1000 kilometre, self-navigated race during August and September.

Ms Bell, who was also the Event Manager for last week’s Kimberley Pilbara Cattleman’s Association Livestock Handling Cup, said the race tested her physically, emotionally and mentally.

“About 40 riders from across the world come to compete in the race each year,” she said.

It's it is an epic adventure of highs and lows, and moments you'll never forget, and moments you absolutely wish you could.”

Contestants navigate on their own using a paper map and GPS.

“The challenge is, the maps are 60 or 70 years old,” Ms Bell said.

“So you'd find yourself 30 kilometres down a road thinking you are only five kilometres from the station, then your road would just end. Or you'd pop up over a mountain and you’d want to cry because it was the wrong mountain range.”

Ms Bell said she nomadic Mongolian people she met were incredibly generous.

“They’re just tough as nails,” she said.

“When you say with the families there they will give you the food off their tables, they will give you a bed. They they don't have much support but what they do have they'll give.”

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Tangiora Hinaki interview Ms Bell at the Livestock Handling Cup.