Yes I’m back in the land of the living, and thank you all for your good wishes and comments on this and everything.

Today we saw the most incredible horse race. Several hundred small, tough Mongolian horses raced 14 kilometres across the open plains. They register first and are checked over – to make sure they are proper Mongolian horses and nobody has managed to sneak in an Arab. This happens at the stadium and finish line and where its all at – people thronging about, lots of them on horses just for the fun of it, gers (mongolian tent houses like yurts), constant commentary from the megaphone, in fact in many ways reminiscent of a British horse event but bigger in that it’s hugely spread out – then they all trot the 14 km across the plain to the start line, accompanied by jeeps, before turning round and racing back. These were the 3 year old horses who get a shorter race – the 5 year olds get 32 km – and it was shortened today because it was pissing down and conditions were bad. When they cross the finish line their trainer meets them, on horseback, and leads them triumphantly away. Oh yes, did I mention the jockeys are aged between 6 and 13 and most of them ride bareback?

Pics to follow – internet somewhat random here…..

That’s the winner and yes he’s bareback