~ Giving Thanks ~

November 24, 2019

Gratitude evolved because it strengthens bonds between members of the same species who mutually helped each other out. To this day, gratitude encourages us not only to appreciate gifts but to repay them (or pay them forward).

As we all know, in skijoring, gratitude extends beyond the limits of species to our many "silent athletes" and has for over a century.

The photograph above was taken in 1940 at the Seigniory Club in the Province of Quebec at a "Ski-joring Race". This horse won the competition and is being congratulated by "a pretty miss" who is showing her gratitude.

We are grateful to be a part of this extraordinary sport and the family it represents. At this time of Thanksgiving, we would like to acknowledge every person and every horse who has contributed to the success of the sport.

Let's all pledge to show each other thanks this upcoming 2020 season!
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~ WE'RE HISTORY! ~

That saying can mean "We're outta here!",
but at Skijor USA the opposite is true.
We are here to stay.
We are here to make history.
And we are here to preserve the history that came before us.

The vintage photo above is part of a collection of hundreds of archival pieces collected by Skijor International and Skijor USA over a 10 year period documenting the history of skijoring.

We are organizing this collection into an exhibit which will be open for viewing at the Saratoga Skijoring race in February.
It is our goal to have this exhibit travel to races in 2021
inside a vintage Airstream as well as to be displayed at historical societies and ski museums across the country!

If you have any historical photographs, memorabilia or documents you would like to share, loan, sell or contribute,
please contact Loren at
loren@skijorusa.com
(646) 209-0229

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~ MAKING HISTORY ~

After meeting with local town officials and boards,
our event dates have changed for

Last Chance Skijoring: Race for the Gold in Helena, MT
https://www.facebook.com/lastchanceskijoring/
&
Skijor West in West Yellowstone, MT
(Skijor USA National Championship Finals)
https://www.facebook.com/skijorwest/

Our goal at Skijor USA is to make every event as
safe, fair and successful as possible
for organizers, competitors and the many partners involved in putting on an event such as towns, chambers, service providers, sponsors, and, of course, scores of dedicated volunteers.

~ UPDATED 2020 RACE CALENDAR ~

JAN 18 & 19 ~ STEAMBOAT, CO

JAN 25 & 26 ~ PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO

FEB 1 & 2 ~ JACKSON, WY &
FEB 1 & 2 ~ BOZEMAN, MT

FEB 8 & 9 ~ SARATOGA, WY
FEB 8 & 9 ~ HELENA, MT

FEB 15 & 16 ~ PINEDALE, WY

FEB 21 & 22 ~ SOLDIER HOLLOW, UT
FEB 22 & 23 ~ WISDOM, MT

FEB 29 & MAR 1 ~ WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT

TBD:

MEEKER & KREMMLING, CO 2020
and
CASPER, WY & CONRAD, MT 2021

Note: These dates are projected and thus, may be subject to change.

Additional races may also be added.

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~ HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF ~

It's time for another series of meetings!

Our Advisory Committee
will meet on
Wednesday, December 4th at 5:30 PM
&
Our Organizers' Summit
will be on
Thursday, December 5th at 5:30 PM

Our Hall of Fame Committee
will meet on
Monday, December 9th at 5:30 PM

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~ STORYTIME ~

It's time to tell your own story,
and what better way than to nominate for SJUSA points and have a shot at a National Championship Buckle and Trophy!

Our fees to nominate for points are still
$30.00 per team
for the SJUSA 2020 season.

Remember, it only takes competing FOUR (4) days
within your region to obtain enough points to qualify
and
you get to choose your BEST four finishes by the day
(they do not have to be on the same weekend)!

Registration forms will be posted on our website and Facebook Page shortly!

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~ HIS-STORY / HER-STORY ~

Skijor USA continues to work with Mountain Time Films
to create an exciting
TV/Web Series: The Road to Skijor 2020

Many colorful and talented riders and skiers have already provided us with profiles, and this group will, no doubt, be expanded once our season begins and the cameras start rolling!

Here are some examples of the "teaser" characterizations:

Natty: Pro-Skier
"On track he uses his trick skiing moves to pick up buckles on the Skijoring Circuit. Off track, he's the classic ski-bum/ladies man, going resort to resort teaching celebrities skiing, doing yoga and waxing poetic about life."

James: Skier
"James is a big teddy bear who thrives on adrenaline. He's also afraid of horses. He confronts that childhood fear by getting behind a thoroughbred and letting fly. Off season, James races on the demolition derby circuit, and his car looks like he came in second place. James is constantly on the lookout for anything that will keep his life on the razor's edge. James is also "sponsored" by a small Montana beer-maker ~ his sponsorship consisting of a few cases of beer per event that he hands out. James is single and surprisingly shy around the ladies for all his bravado,
He is quick witted and very funny, after he's had a few."

Kat: Championship Rider
"When she isn't a speed demon on horseback, she's chasing down perps on her beat as a policewoman in Montana. Before joining the police force she was a special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. For amusement, Kat hunts with a crossbow and stays fit by competing as a female bodybuilder. So, she's an accomplished athlete who can kill you with her thumb."

Michael: Rider
"The challenge of battling through tough wintery conditions on horseback is what gets him Skijoring, and at home he likes to kick back and relax after his National Guardsman job on the Weapons of Mass Destruction Response Team. Other than that, it's the diversity of characters that brings him to the events for an audience. Michael's horse is also a rescue.
'The horses love this. They get to run as fast as they can in a straight line ~ where else do they get to do that?'"

Jenn: Rider
"Jenn rescues ex-racehorses and brings them into the Skijoring world where they are treated royally. In fact, one of her horses is named "Royaleigh". Jenn has won multiple events together with her son, David, who skis behind her and Royaleigh. In the off season, Jenn drives heavy equipment, forklifts and tractors and takes the rescue horses on trail rides in Montana when she isn't working."

If you feel you have an engaging story to tell as a skijoring competitor both on and off the track, let us know at
info@skijorusa.com

Stay tuned for more updates!

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~ THIS IS OUR STORY ~
. . . and we're sticking' to it!

Skijor USA is committed to our mission as a non-profit.
This means we abide by the rules.
Our board meetings occur at least once monthly and our minutes are promptly posted on our website.
Our books are open to our member races and teams who nominate for points.
Our rules and regulations are posted and voted upon by our Advisory Committee of five highly experienced athletes from multiple regions, age groups and skill sets having competed as both riders and skiers.
We do not engage in disparaging remarks or posts.
Our mission is to continuously promote our Core Values:

• STRONG COMMUNITY BOND & COMMON ETHICS
• TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
• SAFETY FIRST
• FAIRNESS IN COMPETITION
• SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

and never lose sight of what an Alliance means:

An “alliance” is not an ”elite” body which dictates and governs by the few. An “alliance” is a broad and active community of people which does not require “membership” rather, it advocates participation. It thrives on fighting for the common good and seeking common ground.

By forming a national alliance, open and accessible to all organizers and competitors, past, present and future, our focus is on accountability and consistency, thus building a healthy and sustainable environment of trust and camaraderie in which equine skijoring can flourish.

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JOR ON!

Your Team at Skijor USA
Mark, Loren, Dana, Bruce, Clay, Josh, Jerry, Tony, Kitty & Paul
&
Your SJUSA Member Race Delegates

Photo courtesy of Skijor International, LLC