THE 35th Shahzada marathon endurance ride took to the hills and valleys around the village of St Albans during the last week in August.
Horses and riders came from as far afield as Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to take part in the annual event where horses travel 80 kilometres a day for five days and the motto is “To finish is to win.”
Each year, a testing course sees competitors ride up steep, rocky tracks over private properties and in the Dharug National Park, along valley floors, and across rivers and creeks.
This year’s event was more testing than usual with thunderstorms, hail and lightning providing an extra challenge.
Sixty-seven competitors set out at 4am on the first day to pit themselves against the weather, the terrain and the clock over 400 kilometres, while 68 horses headed out on Tuesday to ride the 120 kilometres Mini Marathon.
After each leg of the ride, horses are vetted to ensure they are fit to continue.
Twenty-six horses successfully completed the ride and were awarded a coveted Shahzada buckle, struck in memory of the Arabian horse after whom the ride is named.
Queenslanders Matthew Gadsby and Marion Lengronne riding their purebred Arabians crossed the line in the fastest time of 34 hours and eight minutes.
There are no more endurance rides in the Hawkesbury this year, but the NSW State Championships will be hosted at Glen William next month.
