UPDATES ON POINTS & KILOMETRE AWARDS
Below: Some Famous Endurance Arabians & Foundation Bloodlines of the past
Both photos above are of the very famous arabian stallion 'Shahzada' - a successful racing and endurance horse in both the UK and Australia and who founded a huge dynasty of Endurance horses in Australia and New Zealand (in NZ through 'Gipsy Maid' who was by 'Sirdar', photo below, who was by 'Shahzada'). Australia's tough 'Shahzada Endurance Ride' is named after this horse above. More information below left.
Above is Crabbet Stallion 'Shafreyn' who's bloodlines are also sought after for endurance in Australia & NZ
'Greylight' below & 'Sindh' above were also popular sires of Endurance bloodlines. Both bloodlines are represented in NZ
Another prepotent Endurance sire was 'Riffal' above & below - sire of 'Shereef' imported NZ, who left many top performance and endurance horses.
Shahzada
Shahzada was a grey Arab stallion, foaled in 1913 at Mr H.C. Stephens' stud in England. Shahzada's sire Mootrub, was purchased by General John Hills in India soon after he arrived from Arabia. He won races in India and numerous championships and prizes in the U.K. Shahzada's dam Ruth Kesia (descended from the desert bred mare Kesia), was acquired from the Gomassa tribe of the Sabaa Anazeh by Major Robert Upton. The mares from the tribe were noted for their fine free-trotting action.
In Endurance Tests Shahzada had few peers Tests were held in 1920, 1921 and 1922 over 250, 300 and 500 miles; each ride was held over a five day period. Shahzada won the first and third tests and was second over the 300 mile distance. It is reputed that he covered this distance in 37 hours and 29 minutes riding time carrying 14 stone in weight.
On two other occasions Shahzada won mile races carrying 10 stone. On yet another occasion he was able to win a seven furlong race in open company two weeks after winning a 310 mile Endurance test.
In 1925, Shahzada was imported to Australia by Mr A.E. Grace a Sydney businessman and pastoralist, to stand stud on "Woodlands Grace" near Denman. In his later life he was bought by Mr R. Williams of Booralong where he spent the remainder of his days.
Shahzada was used extensively at stud and the Arabian Horse in Australia Volume 1 reports that 40% of the 394 horses registered at the time of publication were descended to some degree from him. Some of his famous progeny are Sirdar, champion at the Sydney Royal in 1934, Genghis Khan, Ishamael and a daughter of Judith. The well known sires Delos, Lysander and Aethon (who was Champion Arab Stallion at the "Royal" on four successive occasions from 1970 to 1974 and again in 1976) trace back to Shahzada, as do the well renowned Endurance horses - Stony, Shieke, bred by R.M. Williams, Oonoonba Leo and Ralvon Aeneas and many others.
The Shahzada Memorial Endurance Ride is held annually in St Albans NSW during the last full week of August in commemoration of this famous horse.
Waikato Endurance Club Awards
Click the following links to open files on Club Endurance and Fun Ride Awards
'Aethon' (Spindrift x Hestia) prepotent sire of Endurance horses - the 'Spindrift' bloodline is World Class
Please support Waikato Endurance Club SPONSORS of North Island Champs 2008
Click the following links to open files with info on the latest National Horse and Rider Points for both Endurance and CTR as at March 2009
ENDURANCE OF ANOTHER KIND~!!
An interesting little article I found in the latest 'Straight Furrow' Farming Mag about a guy who has been travelling around NZ on horseback for nine years and has now covered approx
28,000 kms~!!
Article was written by Denise Gunn, Straight Furrow Journalist, and photo is courtesy of Fairfax
Please Click following links to open and read the article:
(Please use the little "magnify tool" on the image to enlarge for reading)
