Two Kentucky horsewomen will soon test their equestrian skills in one of the most remote and demanding races in the world while using the experience to raise funds for off-track Thoroughbreds.
Lucy Burnett and Bobbi Westbrook are two of more than 40 riders scheduled to compete in the upcoming Gaucho Derby, a 500-kilometer endurance race aboard equines across Patagonia in Argentina, that tests riders' physical stamina and fortitude as much as riding skill. The contest, which begins Feb. 18, is organized by The Equestrianists and modeled after the better-known Mongol Derby. The 10-day ride sends competitors across rugged terrain, including mountains, open plains, river crossings, and grassy bogs, sometimes in volatile weather.
Riders navigate their mounts between checkpoints while carrying limited gear and supplies. Each rider alternates mounts throughout the race to be aboard fresh equines. The horses come from regional ranches, and they undergo regular veterinary inspections during the race to ensure soundness, hydration, and recovery. Time penalties are assessed for horses that do not meet recovery parameters, which, along with veterinary checks, are meant to ensure that participating horses are not overstressed.
Organizers say the region's high mountains are a test of skill, not flat-out speed, while flatter sections offer chances for a faster pace. This portion will result in riders swapping to fresh horses more regularly.
Describing the mixed-breed horses they are to ride, "They are the hardiest creatures I have ever seen. They are insane," said Westbrook, who completed a 2024 training camp in Argentina called The Academy in preparation for the Gaucho Derby.
Burnett said she and Westbrook—who are competing individually but plan to ride together—are not focused on winning, but on the experience.
"It's really just bragging rights as crazy as we are for doing it," she said.
For the two women, both of whom own and ride off-track Thoroughbreds in Kentucky, the race also serves to allow them the opportunity to promote and support Thoroughbred aftercare. Burnett set up a GoFundMe account to benefit two aftercare organizations, aiming to raise $4,000, with the funds to be split between Second Stride in Kentucky and Pirates' Promise, a developing nonprofit in Louisiana. As of the morning of Jan. 30, $3,415 had been raised.
Donations can also be made directly to Second Stride and Pirates' Promise.
"So I thought it was pretty cool because (Lucy) makes her living off the horses, and so when she signed up to do this, she wanted to give it back to the horses," said Kim Smith, founder and executive director of Second Stride.
Burnett manages Irene and Dinwiddie Lampton's Brownsboro Farm near Crestwood, Ky., whose program is built largely around off-the-track Thoroughbreds competing in eventing and foxhunting. Foxhunting, Burnett said, has been her go-to training mechanism for the Gaucho Derby, combining skills such as long-distance riding and navigating through uncleared terrain.
With the Lamptons' Hardscuffle Hounds hunt club, Burnett is a "whipper-in," a staffer who assists the huntsman by controlling a pack of hounds.
Since 2019, Burnett has also operated Bottom Line Integrated Bodywork, providing therapy services for horses on and off the racetrack.
"So my résumé does not look as cool as hers does," Westbrook said.
Westbrook brings more than 25 years of experience in three-day eventing and foxhunting into the Gaucho Derby. A nurse practitioner and certified Wilderness First Responder, she also balances family life as a mother with two daughters, ages 4 and 6.
"She's truly incredible doing what she's doing, raising her two girls and taking this on," Burnett said.
Both riders appreciate the support of their husbands, Adam Burnett and Paul Westbrook.
Adam, a farrier, will travel to Argentina to observe. Paul will track Westbrook from Kentucky while attending to their two young children.
"So they're gonna watch my little dot," Bobbi Westbrook said of her family planning to monitor online graphics that track her GPS device.
Beyond the race itself, getting there seems tiring.
"It's a long journey," Burnett said. "Basically, it's a 10-hour flight to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, and then, the next day we'll take a three-hour flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate. And we'll layover a day there just to make sure all our luggage arrives because that's pretty critical, and then, from there it's an eight-hour bus ride to the ranch where the race starts."
Then comes the Gaucho Derby, which, beyond the thrill of the competition, serves an outlet for fundraising for Thoroughbred aftercare.
"I mean, we both basically grew up on the back of a Thoroughbred. It's all I've ridden my whole life," Burnett said. "I've been on off-track horses, and they've taught me how to ride because while they're brilliant animals, they're challenging in their own unique ways, and I don't know, to me there's nothing better than a Thoroughbred for a lot of things. So, yeah, raising money for Second Stride and Pirates' Promise is just near and dear to my heart."
