WILL Comiskey, known affectionately as Dingo to his friends, is off on what he describes as a Genghis Khan like adventure.
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The modern day, nomadic grazier is currently based in Goondiwindi, with cattle agisted throughout Queensland.
Will is on his way to compete in the Mongol Derby, a 1000 km race through Mongolia on horseback.
Will’s Mongol Derby adventure was born from the desire to challenge himself and raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Will has seen the incredible work the RFDS do first hand, and today his fundraising efforts hit the $10,000 mark.
Will said he felt encouraged by the generosity of his sponsors, especially given the widespread drought that still grips many places in Queensland.
“A lot of my work is done in western Queensland And they had picked up my dad and flew him to Brisbane after he cut off his fingers” Will said.
“They provide a vital service to ringers in western Queensland and have picked up some of my friends when it would have taken a vehicle a day to get there to help,” Will said.
The race lasts ten days, and the riders must take everything with them, keeping in mind a wight limit of 5 kg.
Will is taking the bare minimum, a sleeping bag, a leatherman, lighter and rope.
“Then mostly medicine to help get through the massive challenge and any sickness that could come from living and eating with locals, and the very basic living conditions,” Will said.
Local Goondiwindi man Todd Cranney, and Will Graham from Emerald inspired Will’s journey with their Mongol Derby tales.
“I wanted to do this as a personal challenge, the stories Cranney told me were incredible, and I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie, Will said.
The mongol nomad trades are spread out 40 km apart and we use their horses, the riders getting a fresh horse every 40 km.
The horses are vet checked at every stop and the riders are able to choose their own horses so it is “first in best dressed.”
“I am really excited to experience the real Mongolia, only 15 out of 40 people finish normally I really want to finish I'll do what ever I have to do get it done,” he said.
The Adventurists guide to the Mongol Derby can be viewed below: