Yeah Ha!! 15 Successful Shahzada completions
from 16 attempts, by Karen Rhodes.

I am not usually one to brag, however I am pretty tickled at now having the record for the most Shahzada buckles. To reach this milestone is indeed a great reward and privilege. The reward of riding with the belief that to complete is to win and the privilege of having owned and ridden two very special horses. Endurance Riding has given me immense personal gratification over the years and as I have competed at Shahzada almost every year since I took up the sport, the ten days spent at St Albans each August, has become an integral part of my life. My advice to other riders thinking of attempting Shahzada is “don’t hesitate, you will not be disappointed”. It is a very unique ride that has almost 30 years of history that you could be lucky enough to be part of.

There weren’t any qualifying rules when I started in endurance, so it seemed only natural having successfully completed three 80 K rides, in early 1991 that I would enter in the Tom Quilty National Championships, being held at Tooraweenah in June. After climbing my own personal Mt. Everest at Tooraweenah and successfully completing with only 40 minutes to spare, it wasn’t long before I started dreaming about “Shahzada”.

At both the Tooraweenah Quilty in 1991 and my first Shahzada in 1993, I rode “Barry’s Buzz” a stock horse gelding I borrowed from a friend (rather obviously called Barry). Buzz was quite a handful, he pulled like a train and generally gave me a hard time, however despite making life difficult he always recovered well and he carried me for my first buckle in both great events. Buzz with his full throttle approach was NOT the type of horse you need for Shahzada.

The first thing I learnt at Shahzada was that it was much easier for me to climb the hills if I could hang on to my horses tail and be towed. As testament to how much easier it is for our horses not to have the burden of our weight on their backs when climbing steep rocky tracks, they all learn to tail very quickly. I also walk behind my horses down the hills as then I know I will not be a hindrance to their progress or block their view, thus making it safer for both of us.

In 1994 having returned Buzz to his owner, I decided to put my new horse that was just turning six, to the Shahzada test. “Karrana Kelly” was a registered stock horse by our stallion out of an Arab/Pony cross mare, I might add that the Arab was “Aethon”.

Kelly was only 14.3 hands and the exact opposite of Buzz; she only ever gave me about 80% effort and looked after herself very well. She had all the attributes of a pony, pony paces, pony attitude and as tough as nails. Kelly was never fast but she was consistent and from late 1993 to 2001 Kelly and I completed over 6,500 successful kilometers, which included seven Shahzada’s. Kelly vetted out at Thursday lunchtime on her sixth attempt, she then came back to complete successfully the following two years.

When I retired Kelly in 2001 I decided that I had best buy another Shahzada horse and I purchased my current mount “Shadow” who is a 15 hand Arab, stock horse cross gelding of unknown breeding. He was residing in a paddock over at Forbes after his young rider had lost interest. Shadow was seven when I bought him and was very fat almost to the point of founder. He had spent his early years on a feedlot, so he is a very smart stock pony. Although it took him a while to adjust to carrying my weight, he has always been a very honest horse and with a different rider could have been quite competitive.

Shadow and I have now completed 7,000 successful kilometers including seven Shahzada’s so as you can see the Stock Horse Arab cross has worked well for me.

There are some that would say I have been lucky and I certainly have, I have only ridden three horses at Shahzada and have only had one fall, which resulted in a sprained wrist and a few bruises. Of course that doesn’t include all the times I have fallen over going both up and down the Shahzada tracks and the various other injuries and ailments that seem to go hand in hand with not being athletic.

I think my success at Shahzada can be contributed to knowing and listening to my horse. It is very important to pick up on the subtle hints they give you. It is also of great benefit to you and your horse if you can get yourself not only ride fit but walking fit as well. Every year I promise myself that next year I will try and get fit before Shahzada, if you’re not fit, you have to tough it out. Some of us obviously find that easier!!

I would like to thank Ray whose help has been invaluable, strapping for me on most occasions except for the first few years when he rode the big ride. I actually strapped for him in 1992 when he gained his first Shahzada buckle and I did such a good job he has been paying me back ever since!!

I would also like to thank my sister Anne who has 10 Shahzada buckles and her husband Steve for their company and assistance on the track and in Camp. Anne is determined not to let me rest on my laurels, if they can come all the way from Queensland to compete, we just have to be there. Thanks also to all the many people who have shared our campfire over the years and contributed to the comradeship that makes Shahzada so special.

Of course Shahzada wouldn’t exist except for all the work put in by the various committees and crews over the past 29 years. The many locals and non locals who help every year to provide us with a great ten days and of course the vetting teams who have always provided good advise, as well as stress, fun and laughter.