Season 2
Cooked in Africa Films was in Mongolia in 2011 to film the world's longest horse race (Guinness World Records, 2010) as part of its' second production for The Ride series, entitled "The Mongol Derby: Race Across the Steppe".
Based on Genghis Khan's postal system of the 13th Century, the race covers 1,000km across the Mongol Steppe and saw South African equine adventurers Barry Armitage and Joe Dawson compete against 23 accomplished riders from around the world for the 2011 Mongol Derby title.
Fellow South Africans Craig Egberink, Kevin Price-Moor and Paul Erskine also competed, with Underberg Dairy farmer Craig Egberink ultimately winning the race in seven days.
While only 12 riders completed the race, Joe Dawson finished 5th and Kevin Price-Moor finished 6th. Paul Erskine retired from the race after 200km, while Barry Armitage sustained a serious shoulder injury close to the finish that put him out of the running.
The Cooked in Africa production team that supported Joe and Barry's expedition included Producer Mark Samuels; Director Corne Van Rooyen; Director of Photography Sunel Haasenbroek; supported by Cameraman, Rob Beugelink; and horse master, Spud Murray.
The Mongol Derby represents the second horseback TV adventure filmed by Cooked in Africa, and has Barry and Joe taking on uncertain odds while retracing celebrated historic equine adventures from around the world.
In October 2010, the first show in this Ride Series, entitled The Ride of the Peacemaker, had Barry and Joe recreate the epic journey completed by Dick King 168 years ago when he rode 960km from the British trading station in Port Natal to Grahamstown, to request help for the besieged British garrison.
Each year, the UK-based event organisers, The Adventurists, select and train around 1,000 semi-wild Mongolian horses for approximately 25 riders. In its inception year in 2009, the Competition involved 26 riders (from 10 countries), 700 horses, 23 horse stations, and lasted for 10 days.
South African rider Charles van Wyk and Mongolian rider, Sh.Galbadrakh won the 2009 title by finishing the race on the 8th day.
Each rider that signs up for the Mongol Derby is asked to raise £500 (R6,000) for the organisers' Official Charity, Mercy Corps, and a further £500 for a charity of each competitor's choice.
The money raised to fund Mercy Corps Mongolia is directed at improving the lives of numerous Mongolian rural communities and vulnerable groups living in harsh conditions within the region.
Barry and Joe selected the Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA) as their official charity in keeping with their commitment to raise awareness and funds for working horses in South Africa.
The Adventurers
Barry Armitage
A career in the international yachting industry based out of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where adventure and travel were part of a day's work, followed by the development of a ground breaking wildlife reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where the history of the Anglo Boer War and horses became a passion, sowed the seeds for the idea that was to become The Ride.
Impatient, curious, daring and always up for an adventure Barry has lived in Cape Town with his wife and son since 2009.
Joe Dawson
Educated in England, Joe returned to live in the Midlands of his native KwaZulu Natal. He joined Barry on the team developing the Dalton Private Reserve, where the two, already related through marriage, developed a bond and mutual reliance that will stand them in good stead when undertaking The Ride.
Cool under pressure, a passionate conservationist and horseman, fluent isiZulu speaker and always circumspect about an adventure, Joe runs the Dalton Private Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where he lives with his three children.
Mark Samuels
Expedition Producer
Dekuyise Caine
Groom and Guide
Thokoza Mqhotheni
Groom
Servaas "Spud" Murray
Horse Master