Shahzada (NSW)

SHAHZADA 400 KM ENDURANCE RIDE
30th ANNIVERSARY/THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE

To celebrate the anniversary we are hoping to attract a record number of entries – at least 100 in the main ride so start planning now!!!!!!!

All endurance riders from across Australia are invited to the historic village of St Albans, just north west of Sydney, for the 30th 400km Shahzada marathon endurance ride from August 23-27, 2010, eight weeks after the Quilty in Manilla and five weeks prior to the NSW State Championships for all those contemplating The Big Three.  Camping is available from 14/8 at the ride base as well as accommodation at many local venues….check out the Shahzada website www.shahzadaresults.org/10entry.htm reserve your number if you are a regular and read some of the stories from past rides to get you motivated……there is no other ride like this one!!!!!

The marathon event is run over five days on local roads and tracks – McKechnies, Woomera Path, Shepherds Gully, Johnny’s Hill, The Steps and Prestons – a great deal of work has been done on the course over the last few years under the guidance of Allan Caslick and Brad Jones - track clearing days will be announced soon…..if you can come and help please contact Brad.  These improved tracks with the elimination of many tarred road verges and the wonderful help and advice from the veterinary panel during the ride over the last few years headed up by Kym Hagon, has established a very good completion rate – everyone who completes receives a highly coveted Shahzada buckle.  So inspired, Kym will be riding the marathon this year!!!

In addition to the 400km event – “the ride of your life”, there will be a 120 km Training Ride (Mini Marathon) over three days (experience the  passion and wonderful riding tracks of the Macdonald Valley without the pressure). Come for the fun and the challenge – be part of the excitement – apart from the riding, the social committee will ensure that it is a week to remember.

Enquiries:  Sue Todd (02) 6379 7218 or email suetodd@activ8.net.au
Additional Shahzada information is available on www.shahzadaresults.org. where you can see daily updates during the week of the ride.

Far-A-Way (Qld)

FAR-A-WAY EASTER ENDURANCE CARNIVAL
IMBIL SHOWGROUND - EASTER LONG WEEKEND EACH YEAR

"serious fun"

With riders traveling from North Queensland, Northern NSW, Sydney, Victoria and Japan, the stage was set for a wonderful weekend of endurance. Storms on Friday and Saturday afternoons cooled the Marathon riders on track and damped down the trails for the weekend, settling any dust and softening the gravel roads.

The Mary Valley Show Society and the Cooloola Shire Council are strong supporters of the event and the wonderful trails of the Imbil/Kenilworth forestry create an almost perfect venue for a relaxed and very enjoyable weekend of endurance. The Far A Way club had over forty water tubs on track to ensure horses were never thirsty in the warm and humid conditions.

More than 300 entrants in the seven-event four-day program again confirmed it's popularity. It was the 19th time the Far A Way club has run the 320km Marathon ride. Twenty horses and riders rode away from the start at 4 am on the Friday, however a number of unfortunate withdrawals and the inevitable vet-outs meant that only nine crossed the finish line and vetted through on the Monday afternoon.

Peter Toft riding a striking Arabian-Warmblood mare held on to a time advantage he established early in the ride over Susan Sutcliff, a first time Marathon competitor. Peter and Susan were awarded the Best Managed Horse Awards for the Heavy Weight Rider and Light Weight Rider divisions respectively. Susan gained the special award from the Murrumba club for the first rider to finish in their first Marathon ride.

In fact five of the nine riders to finish were competing in their first Marathon ride. Three completions were from the Murrumba club and five had traveled from North Queensland. Many horses that have completed the Far A Way Marathon have gone on to be very good endurance horses. Entries in the event have increased in recent years after a steady decline and the club hopes riders will see the benefit of the four days of steady work for their horses. Next year will be the 20th Anniversary for Far A Way and the club is planning something special for the 2006 Easter Endurance Carnival.

Once again very high completion rates ( 70% to 80%) in the two 80km rides, three Training and an Intro Ride showed that riders rode with judgment and cared for their horses. Much of the course has the second legs of rides in the shade of the forest which also helps.

The full results for this year can be found on the QERA website.

Melissa Longhurst and Pharslee Amani, all the way from North Queensland 2nd MWT and BC Far A Way 320 Marathon 2005. Photo by Julie Kemp.

Peter Toft and Waterford Stud's Spotlight 1st HWT Far A way 320 Marathon 2005. Photo by Julie Kemp.

Pioneer Trek 412 km - North Queensland

In 1984 the popularity of Endurance riding was rapidly increasing and new clubs were springing up everywhere throughout Australia.

At this time riders living in the Far North would have to travel South to Brisbane to be part of this new craze. So over 20 years ago now, a club was formed and called 'The Far North Endurance Riders' The new club covered an area big enough to cater for the whole of North Queensland running from Townsville to Cape York.

Since then a club has been formed in Rockhampton and they cover the Townsville area. Janet & John Fornier with their daughter Gail Hamilton have been members of the club since its inaugural ride which was the 'Shiralee' named after the first pure bred Arabian mare to be brought to the North. Later the club was joined by Barry Akers Dale Anderson the John & Merry Robertson. all are long standing members and have worked diligently to make our club what it is today we run 10 rides a year including the Pioneer Trek, The Cordillera Trail and the rest are made up of 160 Klm, 120Klm and 80 Klm rides.

The Pioneer Trek is the longest endurance ride in the world, covering 412 Klms not only does this ride offer such a tremendous challenge but running with it is 5 x 80 Klm's 5 x 40Klm & 5 x 20 Klm what a fantastic weeks riding that is on offer. The ride base is at Tepon Equestrian Grounds Wondecla which is in the Atherton Tablelands about 90 Klm's above Cairns and only 20 Klms from Atherton it is in the hub of the tourist attractions and a great place to spend a week. The climate is far milder than the coastal areas, without the humidity that one encounters in the lower regions. it can be very hot during the day but will nearly always cool off of an evening.

The ride runs this year from the 20th June until the 26th June 05, which is in the cooler months of the year, so it is far more pleasing for any Southern horse who are unaccustomed to our hot summers.

The tracks vary each day from high hills where you sour with the eagles to sandy valleys with gentle creeks meandering through them there is a variety of open forest and rainforest, water and wildlife is in abundance so come along and try out the Great Divide, here in the North we have a little bit of everything to offer, once you have ridden here you will always return.

If you are interested and would like further information on this great ride then phone Janet Fornier
P.O.Box 501 Herberton Q 4887
Tel: (07) 4096 2177
fornier@bigpond.com