Australia: 2014 Shahzada

9/3/2014

The 34th annual Shahzada, "the ultimate test in horsemanship" was run August 25-29 in historic St Albans, New South Wales, Australia. The ultimate test is held over 400 km over 5 days, and you get a completion and placing only if you finish all 5 days.

This year there were 57 entries; 27 completed all 5 days.

First place was Ian Curtis and Blakes Heaven Summer Wind in a total time of 35:02 for the 5 days. Second was Narelle Childs and Halo Kazaam in 35:56.

Four juniors completed the marathon, with Josephine Jansen and Windaroo Devina Glamour finishing 4th. Fifteenth place Karen Rhodes received her 19th Shahzada buckle. Sixteenth placed Marg Boland and Rosebrae Cameo won the Best Managed Award.

Riders had to deal with occasional showers, and heavy overnight rain for the second day. "The already tough terrain became almost impossible when rain made the course and river crossing nearly impassable," the Shahzada website reported. Some of the course had to be re-routed for the horses' and riders' safety.

For complete results, see http://www.shahzadaresults.org/14entry.htm