• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Singapore HomepageExpat Living Singapore

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • Repton Schoolhouse Singapore kids outdoors play-based kindergartens in SingaporeWant your kids to learn through play?
        • Keppel BayThe best places to watch the sunset
        • V dayValentine’s Day gifts & date ideas
        • 28 HK drinkNew bars and nightspots to try!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • feautureStreet Art in Singapore – spot the difference!
        • royal albatross yacht singapore romantic dinner39 Fun Things To Do In Singapore
        • Keppel BayThe best places to watch the sunset
        • East Coast park beachThe best parks for picnics in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Repton Schoolhouse Singapore kids outdoors play-based kindergartens in SingaporeWant your kids to learn through play?
        • East Coast park beachThe best parks for picnics in Singapore
        • Weekend sunday clothesShopping from home – a new online marketplace!
        • brain mappingThe benefits of brain mapping for your child
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • where to buy furniture in singaporeWhere to buy furniture in Singapore – online too!
        • dining room table –Dining tables – where did you buy yours?
        • furniture direct from the manufacturerHome furniture for indoor and outdoor
        • Dining roomsDining furniture that will have you drooling!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • Glamping Time + Time NsoloGlamping: The best kind of camping!
        • The Fullerton Hotel kids room tent4 fun family staycays – with deals!
        • Merdeka - Where to stay in ThailandWhere to stay in Thailand, reviews & more
        • Covid-19 travel woman mask airportCOVID-19 travel: What to expect
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Kopi breakfastAll you need to know about kopi
        • Oh my goodnessHow to eat clean in Singapore
        • 28 HK drinkNew bars and nightspots to try!
        • Afterglow by Anglow vegan30+ fantastic vegetarian and vegan restaurants
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • pre-loved designer clothesBuy, sell and swap pre-loved designer clothes and accessories
        • where to buy bras in singaporeGorgeous lingerie to spice up your life!
        • Facial at homeStay at home facial products – reviewed!
        • fashoionShopping in Singapore – Fashion News
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • nutritionist in singaporeRoot cause medicine
        • Oh my goodnessHow to eat clean in Singapore
        • frequent urge to pee overactive bladderHow to treat that frequent urge to pee
        • kidsHelping our children deal with stress
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Living in Singapore » Racing across Mongolia for charity

Racing across Mongolia for charity

29th January 2020 by Rebecca Bisset 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/mongolian-horse-race-challenge-to-raise-money-for-equal/

A horse race 1,000 kilometres long!

Self-confessed party girl LIANNE MASON signs up for the world’s most challenging horse race across the wilds of Mongolia. She tells us why she made the decision, and how the preps are going!

Singapore is a black hole for time. I blinked and the next thing I knew, I’d been here for three years, living in this beautiful bubble of expat life. Boat parties, Bali beaches, brunches, boozy catch-ups in trendy rooftop bars – this lifestyle makes you feel as warm and comfortable as the sun on that lazy Sunday afternoon spent by the pool.

Yet, this has never really been me. Back in the UK, my roots are in the countryside; muddy walks, freezing rain. Beaches there are rarely paradise escapes – they’re wild and open, to be raced across on horses, against winds that’ll blow the thoughts right out of your overcrowded mind.

My branches have spread far from these roots, with travel and adventure becoming an addiction. Until now, I’ve tempered this, feeding it by relocating halfway across the world, jetting off to nearby destinations at every chance. But there’s this inexplicable thing inside of me that keeps surfacing. I try to shut it out – focus on my career, keep chasing that “successful” adulthood dream: save to buy a house, look for a husband, and in few years start to seriously consider kids. You know the drill.

But, maybe it’s because I’m a “snowflake millennial”, always searching for that greater purpose, always looking for something more… Or maybe it’s my Romany gypsy heritage – horses and wandering is in my blood. Maybe I’m too complacent, or bored of dead-end Bumble dates and in need of a distraction. Whatever it is, before I knew it, I had inevitably succumbed; I’d signed up to take part in the world’s longest, toughest horse race.

A risky adventure

The Mongol Derby is a one-thousand-kilometre race across the Mongolian Steppes involving semi-wild horses, extreme weather and wild dogs. Only half of the international riders who take part finish alive… Just joking – it’s usually the odd broken bone or an illness of some kind that takes them out.

horse race

Still, the team from The Adventurists, who are the organisers of the Mongol Derby, along with other extreme race challenges around the world, are very clear about the dangers involved in their events: “Your chances of being seriously injured or dying as a result of taking part are high. Individuals have previously been permanently disfigured, seriously disabled and even lost their life. This is not a glorified holiday; it’s an unsupported adventure and so by its very nature extremely risky. You really are on your own and you really are putting both your health and life at risk. This is what makes them adventures.”

I was sold immediately.

I should offer some context for my decision. While I like to keep fit, I’m no endurance athlete. In fact, I’ve never participated in endurance riding before in my life. And while I started riding as a young girl, that was largely charging across the rolling fields or beaches of Devon. This is quite the leap.

Around 35 other riders will join me from all over the world. Most are professional riders or they at least have the open expanses of North America, South Africa or Australia to ride around in daily – which is useful, because we’ll be spending up to 14 hours a day in the saddle covering more than three marathons a day for as many as 10 days.

The training regime

Singapore isn’t known for its open spaces, so it’s a somewhat unconventional place to train for such a race. To clock up time in the saddle, I started riding again at Gallop Riding School. But with both the conditions and the horses being the polar opposite to those I’ll be facing in Mongolia, I’ve also started endurance training in Malaysia with Pikar, a very experienced and connected horseman. For our next trip, he’ll arrange for me and fellow Derby rider Amelie to ride 240km on different horses over the course of the weekend.

Until recently, I hadn’t stopped to consider how even just training for this race would open my world. I’ve already ridden beautiful Arabian horses through the Malaysian countryside with new friends – friends who also happen to be celebrities in Malaysia and Indonesia; I’ve even ridden in the presence of a king! In March, we’ll be visiting another Derby rider in a remote area of the Philippines to test our skills on their local ponies. And other contestants have invited us to join them to ride endurance in the deserts of Abu Dhabi. I knew the Mongol Derby would leave me in awe during the race. But I hadn’t expected it to have already taken its hold this long before it’s even on.

Horsemanship is just one element of the race. Physical and mental fitness is critical. I’ve enlisted the help of UFIT who have agreed to take on the challenge of trying to transform a party girl into an endurance athlete. The lifestyle of a young(ish) British expat in Singapore doesn’t typically lend itself to such a training and nutrition programme. I feel the panic set in as I imagine missing out on a random drunken Friday ambling around Boat Quay with my friends. But my coach Rachael is a former British swim champion, and with this comes a great deal of respect. I know the dedication she has put into training and I know I can’t get away with hedonistic excuses. 

Good cause

Having overcome my own battles with mental health, I understand first-hand the benefits horses can have. I also understand that these benefits are only available to those who are in the privileged position to pay the hefty price tag that goes hand in hand with an equine lifestyle – especially in Singapore. In my opinion, this is a theme that seems prevalent throughout mental health and social issues.

EQUAL, the Singapore-based charity I’m supporting as part of this race, uses equine-assisted learning to help develop social-emotional life skills in youths, people with special needs, families and the elderly. Horses and humans have shared a special relationship throughout history. This approach can have a profound effect on vulnerable individuals who have been unaffected by other therapies or failed by society.

Racing in the footsteps of the ancient Mongol warriors – who, while riding on the ancestors of the horses I’ll ride on, forged the greatest empire the world has ever seen: I wonder what profound effect this may have on me. Or if it will have any at all.

I’ll be 29 when I take part in the race. As a way of bringing my twenties to a close, I can think of no more perfect homage to the turbulent years of my personal story. I’ll be able to escape this beautiful bubble that every so often feels more like a hamster wheel. For a short while, there’ll be no boat parties, Bali beaches, brunches or booze-filled catchups on trendy rooftops. It’ll be a different kind of bliss. As they say, “in riding a horse, we borrow freedom.” 

Find out more and help Lianne with sponsorship and fundraising for EQUAL online:
Lianne’s site
How to donate
Watch the video

The Mongol Derby will be held from 2 to 14 August 2020. Learn more here.  And keep reading Expat Living to find out how Lianne fares in the race!

Categories: Living here Living in Singapore Tags: Charity Mongolian Derby UFIT

Rebecca Bisset

Heading up Expat Living, Rebecca's the oldest but not necessarily the wisest of the crew! Her original career was in photography, so she sees images and colours before words. A bit of a nomad before Singapore, she loves looking at properties and all things home décor.

You May Also Like

La Panache bone inlay console

Gorgeous home décor gift shopping online

Woman using phone mobile banking bank for expats

Which bank should I choose in Singapore?

New Year’s Tech Resolutions

Primary Sidebar

Editor's Picks

where to buy furniture in singapore

Where to buy furniture in Singapore – online too!

royal albatross yacht singapore romantic dinner

39 Fun Things To Do In Singapore

kate marsden facial review iyac med spa aesthetic clinic

Best facials in Singapore: Our reviews!

brunch st regis singapore

Best Brunch Places in Singapore: Champagne Sunday Brunches

hair salon in Singapore before and after

Best Hair Salon In Singapore – Our Favourites

What's On

Singapore International Photography Festival exhibition

Singapore International Photography Festival 2020

Stone Stacks Stefanie Hauger solo exhibition Miaja Art Collections

Stone Stacks

ThisConnect - Threading Worlds

ThisConnect – Threading Worlds

#DrivingTomorrow pop-up exhibition by Porsche Singapore

#DrivingTomorrow pop-up exhibition by Porsche Singapore

Battle between Rama and Ravana Faith Beauty Love Hope Our Stories, Your ACM Asian Civilisations Museum

Faith Beauty Love Hope – Our Stories, Your ACM

Perfect Stranger by Dawn Ng asian civilisations museum exhibition

Perfect Stranger

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
If you’re looking for fun and memorable ideas for Valentine’s Day gifts or dates, we’ve gathered some that will earn you major brownie points. 

Flowers, staycations, workshops, spas, jewellery, romantic meals and even bungy jumping, we’ll let you do the choosing – or should we say wooing!

Take a look at the link on our stories ❤️
Open
Get our February issue delivered to you! To order, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

In this issue, go behind the lens and meet a couple who married under COVID restrictions, check out Greek restaurants for your Valentine’s Day dinner (and what to wear for it!), shop for fun kids’ furniture and find out how to win some stunning jewellery!
Open
Friday Giveaway! 

We love competitions and we have a fantastic 1-night stay in a Family Suite up for grabs with complimentary breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children at the InterContinental Singapore. 

To stand a chance to win, all you need to do is tag friends, follow @expatlivingsg and @interconsin on Instagram, then click on the link in our stories to enter. 

We will choose a winner on 5th February, so hurry and enter now. 

Good luck!  #intercontinentalsingapore #expatlivingsg #expatlife #singapore #intercontinentalLife #relax #vacationlife #staycation #win #familyfun #beautifulhotels #funhotel
Open
If the men in your life don’t like shopping around too much you can save your sanity by sending them the link to our article on the 10 best places to buy shirts 👔 

The link is on our stories
Open
Don’t we all love a home makeover! 

If you are looking for some easy, low-commitment ways to spruce up your home for the new year we have six tips on how to do a home makeover from Caroline Chin Geyler (link on our stories) she’s the founder and principal stylist of award-winning interior styling firm Arete Culture. 

The company is a four-time Gold Winner in our Expat Living Readers’ Choice Awards (2017-2020) in the interior design and home styling category so they certainly know their stuff. 

As well as some fab tips she’s offering a special Chinese New Year makeover offer, too. At last our homes can look as stunning as these do @areteculture
Open
Guys: did you know that your skin is structurally different from that of ladies? For most men, androgen (testosterone) stimulation results in skin that’s thicker and tougher than women’s skin. This also means you might need something more than just your wife’s, mum’s or sister’s moisturiser or face wash! 

Lumin was founded on this concept; this California-based online store offers simple yet effective skincare for men, tailored to different skin types and concerns. So, whether you’re looking for a good face cleanser or a moisturiser for men, this is one brand to check out.

To differentiate Lumin from other men’s skincare brands, founders Richard Hong and Darwish Gani flew to South Korea to work on formulas that benefit the thicker and more stubborn skin constructs of men. Most of the ingredients used are powerful plant-based extracts like ginger root, rosemary, coffee and shea butter. The paraben-free and cruelty-free brand also makes a point of avoiding unnecessary nasties commonly associated with popular off-the-shelf products.

If it’s your first time shopping for men’s skincare, you’ll be glad to know that the Lumin experience is simple and fuss-free. Just fill out a brief questionnaire and you’ll get a personalised skincare regime that’s suited to your skin type and lifestyle. You can choose to go with a one-time purchase or have your products delivered on a subscription basis. Alternatively, shop from the curated range of skincare sets catered to different budgets and preferences.

Read about our readers review on our stories
Open
We are completely in love with the new Bvlgari Parfum Allegra that lets you customise your own scent...how cool is that! 
 
Step 1 - select your base fragrance 
Step 2 - personalise your fragrance with a magnifying essence 

The bottles are so pretty we want them all 💕 
 
The Allegra collection is available online at bulgari.com/en-sg and in-store at the Takashimaya Department Store from 19th January and if you can’t wait they also have a pop up only for today at ION SKY
Open
Say hello to our latest Kids' Guide! Want a free copy delivered to you? Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/KG and place your order before 30 January.
 
🧸 The guide has everything from finding an obstetrician and caring for your newborn, to fun activities and choosing the right schools for your child. There’s also lots of useful advice from other mums and dads.
Open
We love finding cool places to check out at weekends.

The Whiskey Library at the chic Vagabond Club Hotel is a must for Whiskey lovers. 

Be entertained by bespoke adventures such as specially curated (sung and told) Jazz stories, intimate theatre sessions, book readings, artist evenings, musical showcases, and even independent film premieres whilst enjoying delightful small bites. 

With a choice of over 1,000 rare and unique whiskeys you can even book a cool Staycation so you don’t have to travel home! @thevagabondclub
Open
So if you are still managing to cling onto dry January or still pondering whether to do dry February (like some of us here at EL), then you must check out our round up (link on stories) of alcohol free drinks to stock up on...we also spotted some pretty cool cocktail recipes on the links to help you out🍸🍹
Open
We are on the lookout for cute baby pics for our next issue. Have you or a friend just had a baby? Send over a baby pic with the date of birth and parents names to editorial@expatliving.sg and we'll feature them in our next issue (swipe to see an example of our baby noticeboard). Tag some friends in this post to share their news with us. 

All babies will receive a free personalised print from the gorgeous @hellosammyeve worth $150 (see 3rd pic). 

We just can’t wait to see the pics of those cute bubbas👶
Open
We are craving those pineapple tarts from @littlehouseofdreams packaged in a pretty eco-friendly canister with an engraved bamboo lid.

Check out their pretty gifts, hampers and roasts to help you usher in the year of the 🐂 

15% off regular items and 10% off gift sets until 31st Jan
Open
Hunting for new foodie places is a tough job but someone has to do it! 

Check out our stories link for a few new hot spots to try. There are more listed in our January print issue and others springing up next month!

Tag your favourite hot spots in our comments, we are always on the lookout 👀 🍽🍷🍻🍹
Open
We had some wonderful  celebrations today for our amazing Editor in Chief Rebecca. Happy Birthday and lots of love from all of the EL team ❤️ x
Open
We love cocktails in a can, what an easy start to kick off your weekend. Available in Espresso Martini, Margarita, Pineapple Daiquiri & Negroni - yum!  Order @curatif
Open
Time to get moving!

Our fitness experts share top tips helping to stick to those New Years resolutions 🏋️ 🧘‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 

Link in our stories
Open
The rain and cold winds getting you down? A warm beverage and maybe a good book to snuggle up to might just chase the blues away!

If hot chocolate is too mainstream for you, could we offer up this red velvet alternative? @littlefarms have a wide selection of oat milks, almond milks and soy milk options. 

Since it's #Veganuary, we recommend using dairy free milks to recreate this recipe....

2 cups non-dairy milk of choice
4 medjool dates (pitted)
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon beet powder

Add the milk and dates into a saucepan.
Heat, over medium, until it reaches a simmer. Add the warm milk with the dates and the remaining ingredients into a high speed blender.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Serve and enjoy! 

Image and recipe courtesy of @darngoodveggies
Open
Read our January issue on any device for free! To get started, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/digital/IG
In this issue, step inside a heritage shophouse, find out where our readers buy their carpets and dining tables, discover amazing glamping locations, plus find out how you can win a glamorous home decor prize worth over $7K!
Open
🎉 We're so pleased to announce the winners of our Readers' Choice Awards! Congrats to all the companies who were voted among the best in Singapore, and to the voters who won the amazing prizes. See the full results online now at 👉 expatliving.sg/readerschoice

.
#expatlivingsg #sgbusinesses #singaporebusiness #elsgreaderschoice
Open
What better way to choose movers than to get the inside scoop from happy customers themselves.

We hear from some individuals and families about their successful moves. 

Whether you’re relocating across the globe or just moving to the condo next door, you’re probably going to need some professional and reliable help to pack and transport for you so check out some recommendations in our stories
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.