Folks, we’ve got an exciting tale of courage and determination to share today. Dede Anders, hailing from Powell, Wyoming, thought she had another year to gear up for the Mongol Derby. But a twist of fate has moved her up the waitlist, giving her just a few weeks to prepare for the world’s longest and toughest horse race.
“I was supposed to go next year,” Dede told Cowboy State Daily. “But I got moved up on the waitlist this year. I’ll leave Denver (International Airport) on Aug. 1, and the derby starts on Aug. 7.” The Mongol Derby spans a grueling 620 miles across Mongolia’s vast and isolated wilderness, requiring participants to spend up to 11 hours a day in the saddle over a nine-day period.
While many might be daunted by the sheer scale of the challenge, Dede’s biggest worry right now is navigating her multiple flight transfers to get there. “I’m more nervous about the travel over there because I have so many transfers,” she said. “The race worries me way less. That’s my comfort zone.”
If history is anything to go by, Wyoming natives have done remarkably well in the Mongol Derby. In 2019, Robert Long from Cheyenne won the race at the age of 70, making him not only the oldest winner but also the oldest finisher in the event’s history.
For Dede, the Mongol Derby represents the culmination of a lifelong passion for horses. Growing up on a small ranch in Greybull, she’s been riding almost daily for as long as she can remember. After high school, she served as a medic in the U.S. Army, earned a nursing degree, trained as a physician’s assistant, and achieved a doctorate in medical science and emergency medicine. Despite her impressive medical career, it was a slow day at work that led her to discover the Mongol Derby.
“Every little girl reads books about Mongolian horses, Black Beauty, and all those things,” she said. “I had been looking at horse endurance races, so I threw my hat in.” Dede’s experience and determination caught the attention of The Equestrianists, the organization behind the Mongol Derby. Initially selected for the 2025 race, she was called up early when a participant dropped out of the 2024 event.
The Mongol Derby is not just a race; it’s an extreme test of endurance and horsemanship. Following the postal route established by Genghis Khan in 1224, riders traverse the Mongolian Steppe on semi-wild horses, switching mounts at 25 stations along the way. It’s a blend of navigating unmarked routes with GPS, surviving the elements, and caring for the horses, which are vetted at each station to ensure their well-being.
Despite the race’s notorious challenges, including the risk of getting lost or injured, Dede feels ready. Watching the 2017 documentary “All the Wild Horses,” she saw the rough conditions and semi-feral horses as a reminder of her own experiences. “After I watched it, it reassured me,” she said. “I’ve been riding feral horses my whole life.”
Her Wyoming upbringing has prepared her well. “The terrain of Mongolia is a lot like Wyoming, and so is the remoteness,” she explained. Used to riding rambunctious horses in rugged terrain, Dede is confident that she can handle the semi-feral Mongolian horses, which she described as “naughty little ponies.”
While finishing the race is her primary goal, Dede also sees the derby as a platform to support causes close to her heart. She’s riding for Wyo Hoofbeats Equine Assisted Learning, a Cody-based nonprofit that offers equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy programs.
As the August 7 start date approaches, Dede prepares for her journey, ready to take on the longest and toughest horse race in the world. Her story is one of passion, resilience, and a spirit that refuses to back down. Wyomingites and horse enthusiasts around the globe will undoubtedly be cheering her on as she embarks on this incredible adventure.
