On the 22^ndof August 2009, Charlotte will be galloping across Mongolia as one of 26 riders chosen to take part in what the Guinness World Records have confirmed is THE LONGEST HORSE RACE IN THE WORLD. The challenge - a 1000km bolt along the ancient route that Chinggis Khan used for his famous messenger service in the early 1200s.

In order to win this prestigious event, Charlotte will be throwing her leg over semi-wild Mongolian horses, which have 8 speeds, compared to the Western horse’s 4.  There will be twenty-five horse stations (Urtuus) in total and they will be staggered at key points along the course at 40km intervals, with each Urtuu manned by a Mongolian nomadic herding family.  Upon reaching each station, she will change to a fresh horse and continue on.  There are a total of 800 horses taking part, she will ride 25 of them. Surviving alone in the wild steppes of Mongolia is no picnic either, she will have to feed, water and provide shelter for herself whilst battling the very real dangers of dehydration, sun stroke, falling off her steed and the odd encounter with a wolf.  There's no carefully marked course, no catering tent and no support; this is horse racing on a whole new scale.

Why, I hear you ask, would someone put themselves through all this pain and torture? The simple answer, charity my dear friends. She has already raised £1000 pounds and it has gone straight to Mercy Corps! Thank you to all who were so generous. 

http://www.mercycorps.org.uk/getinvolved/events/2999.

The rest will go towards research for the early diagnosis of pancreas cancer, a cause close to her heart as she sadly lost her Grandfather and more recently her beloved Father to the disease in December. With a 5% survival rate, mainly due to late diagnosis, this cruel illness needs a kick in the guts, and what better way than by a Mongolian horse. The Royal Marsden Hospital in London has the best resources and its cancer research is more advanced than other facilities or organisations. Pancreatic cancer accounts for 6% of all cancer deaths, yet receives the least funding. Professor David Cunningham at the Royal Marsden is leading a team currently doing trials in the UK that will hopefully benefit the world in it's fight against pancreatic cancer. See the 'Charities' link of the left for more details of this.