ROCKLAND — The Rockland Public Library presents Jessie Dowling, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m., in the Community Room and via Zoom. This event is free and open to all.

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.

This event will take place in the Community Room and will be livestreamed via Zoom; the Rockland Public Library is located at 80 Union St. For more information or for Zoom links, please email elewis@rocklandmaine.gov by 4 p.m. on September 26.