Thursday, September 26 at 6:00 PM
“Racing the Mongol Derby” – An Illustrated Talk by Jessie Dowling

Jessie Dowling, cheesemaker and owner of the Fuzzy Udder Creamery in Whitefield, will share her adventures as a competitor in the 2023 Mongol Derby in an illustrated presentation.

The Mongol Derby, is a 1,000-kilometer equine adventure race which has been described as “the longest and toughest horse race on earth.” It roughly recreates the postal route establish by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. Competitors self-navigate over challenging terrain, riding semi-wild Mongolian horses that are descendants of the same tough and fearless horses that carried Mongol warriors over half the world.

After months of fundraising, preparation and training, Dowling was ready to ride. For 10 days in August, 2023, she rode 29 different horses for nearly 25 miles each day. She stayed with Mongolian herding families who, like her, milk animals and produce wonderful things with dairy.

Dowling hails from Virginia but went to high school here in Maine. She has been in love with horses since she received her first horse when she was five years old. Unsure of whether she could earn a living working with horses, Dowling followed other career paths until opening Fuzzy Udder Creamery, here in Maine. The farm, with artisanal cheeses, will celebrate its 13th anniversary this year.

For more info or for Zoom links, please email elewis@rocklandmaine.gov.