After 25 years in the arena, Edwards retired, setting the stage for his recent adventure: The Mongol Derby. This grueling equestrian endurance expedition retraces the route of Genghis Khan’s 13th-century postal system.

 

Every August, riders attempt to conquer over 600 miles of rugged terrain, swapping horses every 25 miles. The horses are semi-wild Mongol horses leased from local herders. They only stand between 12 to 14 hands high. Though small, they are remarkably tough, bred to endure the harsh Mongolian landscape.

 

Horse racing is deeply rooted in Mongolian culture. Mongolia itself, landlocked between China and Russia in East Asia, is largely nomadic, dependent on equine partners.

 

Riders in the Mongol Derby travel about 75 to 100 miles a day. They have a team of veterinarians and doctors available throughout. Navigation is primarily up to the rider, but safety measures are in place for emergencies. Riders stay and eat with host families. Strict rules safeguard the well-being of both riders and horses throughout this demanding journey.

Josh Edwards, no stranger to challenges, is a celebrated pickup man. He officially retired from the arena at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in January— a fitting last performance as it was the first major rodeo he worked. The month before his retirement, he was named the 2023 Pickup Man of the Year at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

 

Beyond the rodeo arena, Edwards is a man of many talents. He trains horses, is a licensed pilot, a stuntman for film, and a successful entrepreneur. Now, he added “Mongol Derby competitor” to his long resume of accolades.

 

“I may have recently retired from the professional pick-up man world, but I’m far from hanging up my hat,” shared Edwards in a press release. “I’m a firm believer that you should put yourself in positions that will push your limits. This race is the first of many epic post-rodeo life adventures that will test my mind, body and spirit.”

 

Edwards currently serves as the Vice Chairman and Contract Personnel Director of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

 

Throughout the race, Edwards sported a Resistol RideSafe, the only safety headgear on the market that combines the look of a cowboy hat and the protection of a helmet. This added layer of safety was crucial in a race where riders face the constant threat of being thrown off or having their horses stumble on unforgiving terrain.

 

“While he’s out there pouring his heart out trying to win, his journey is [filled] with riches larger than any victory,” wrote his sister-in-law, Kaci Riggs Myers, on a Facebook post of support during the race. “I can’t imagine how much he has learned about himself under pressure, being alone, in survival mode, overcoming pain and making critical decisions that could make him or break him.”

 

For Edwards, the Mongol Derby was more than a race—it was a testament to his enduring spirit and relentless pursuit of new challenges. Hats off to this cowboy’s next chapter!