HANDY HINTS
The handy hints page may help you to complete Shahzada with ideas to survive the conditions and the sometimes over-stressed committee members.
 
Before the ride: After you arrive and before the start:
  •  Read the whole of this book before you start in the Shahzada.  It contains important information to help you to successfully complete the ride and Trevor’s trivia Quiz.
  •  If you have an advance copy of this book, take it with you to Shahzada, you will need it there.
  •  Train your horse to trot out on a loose rein before you come to St Albans.
  •  Fill up your vehicle with petrol or diesel at the Shell Wisemans Ferry (the last fuel), on the way in to St Albans.  The last portagas filling point is also the Shell at Wisemans Ferry.
  •  If you bring a dog, you can not allow it into the vetting area or in the National Parks.  It would be preferred if your dog could be kennelled outside the St Albans area.
  •  There are very few sites where there power is available.  Bring a small super quiet generator for power.  Camps with generators will be located well away from the general camp because of noise.  There will be a curfew on generator hours; 12 volt battery powered lights are preferred.
  •  Don’t leave it to the last minute to arrive in St Albans.  Arrival on Thursday or Friday at the latest is a lot less stress on everyone than Saturday and you must advise Ross Mudie if you plan to arrive on Sunday or you could lose your camp site! 
  •  Put name tags on all clothing, helmets, torches etc, which may be discarded at check points to enhance your chances of getting your own equipment and clothing back.
Things to bring which you may not think of:
  •  Medications for greasy heel. 
  •  A change of saddle to help your horse with a sore back. 
  •  Sheep skin girth covers. 
  •  A large sponge on a string. 
  •  Easiboots. 
  •  Brushing boots for mountain descents.
  •  Plenty of fresh drinking water for the people in your camp.

    •  Fur lined thongs, (it will be cold over night).
  •  Train your horse to walk on the scales and stop for weighing. 
  •  Trot your horse out pre-vetting to ensure soundness after travel.
During the ride: 
  •  Make sure that you go past the video camera at the TimeKeeper going out and in on each leg.
  •  Make sure that your horse is correctly shod before starting in the ride and throughout the ride.
  •  Dry under your horse's "armpits" when strapping.  This area is prone to rash and may cause lameness.
  •  The second leg over Prestons on Tuesday always takes longer than you will expect.  Allow extra time if you are planning to go out late on this leg to avoid disqualification due to late return to ride base (strict 5 pm deadline every day).
  •  Riders must always wear the correct ride number on their front on the course in such a way that the number is not obstructed, outside coats etc.
  •  Who ever is leading the horse in the vetting/weighing area must always wear the ride number.
  •  Riders must always call the correct number at the radio check points and ensure that the radio operator has correctly recorded their number before leaving the radio check point.
  •  If you are unhappy with a veterinary decision, be prepared to lodge your appeal with the Head Vet or Chief Steward before you leave the vetting area.  Don't be put off by anyone saying "don't bother to appeal" if you disagree with a decision; talk calmly to the Chief Steward about it.
  • Check the computer printouts each evening, make sure that the correct information is entered and advise Ross at the computer caravan if there is a problem with the information.  Advise Ross if your horse has to be re-presented later to the Vets.
  •  No dogs in the vetting area, not even on a leash and no push bikes.  Keep all dogs on a leash.

    •  Riders must supply their own drinking cup for use at checkpoints.