~ Happy Valentine's Day! ~
February 13, 2020
~ LOVE IS IN THE AIR ~
Skijoring naturally lends itself to pairing up,
and what better time of the year to do so, Valentine's Day.
This year, Valentine's Day will be celebrated at race registrations.
Many friendships, relationships, marriages, and yes,
even babies, have been born within our skijoring community.
So, today, we would like to recognize and congratulate
those of you who have formed lasting relationships (and offspring)
as a result of skijoring, and wish you all a
Happy Valentine's Day!
The vintage images above, collected by Skijor International,
show that skijoring has matched up riders and skiers
for centuries and romanticizes such images.
Let's keep the tradition alive!
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~ FEELIN' THE LOVE ~
The next three weekends will be jam packed with action!
WEEKEND 1
This President's Day weekend five races will be held
from Colorado to Wyoming to Idaho;
and Saint Moritz, Switzerland
will hold their third and final race of their 2020 season.
In Colorado, Silverton will continue its long tradition
of running horses down Notorious Blair Street
due to a determined organizing committee
and a generous donor.
We applaud Silverton's staying power!
https://www.silvertonskijoring.com
In Wyoming, Pinedale and Sundance
will feature skijoring at their respective Winter Carnivals.
https://www.facebook.com/pinedalewintercarnival/
https://www.sundancewinterfestival.com/events/skijoring
In Idaho, Hailey and Wallace
will host races behind horses and snowmobiles.
https://woodriveresja.com
https://skiwallace.com/skijor.html
White Turf, the over-the-top event in Saint Moritz, Switzerland,
which includes skijoring in its most traditional style,
meaning the skier reigns the horse without a rider,
is in its 113th year!
This is most likely more years of skijoring than the other five American events can claim to have all put together.
This is what White Turf had to report after last Sunday:
"Against a winter picture-book backdrop and in fantastic weather, gallopers, trotters and skijorers again delivered exciting races on the second Race Sunday on the frozen Lake of St. Moritz. Thanks to the excellent track condition all races could again be held over the original distance. In addition to Zambeso’s impressive victory in the skijoring for the Credit Suisse GP of Silvaplana, 9,500 enthusiastic spectators also celebrated his stable mate Notte A Roma, who had previously won the sprint race."
Like Montana race organizers, this year the Swiss have also had to contend with a lack of snowfall and higher than normal temperatures,
but in Switzerland, the show goes on:
"In the GRAND PRIX CREDIT SUISSE Adrian von Gunten will try to win the title “King of the Engadine” with Zambeso. The chances are good for the experienced rider and his horse, which has great stamina. This is made possible by the track crew of the Seeinfra, which this year had to struggle with a lack of snowfall (the track consists of technically produced snow) and unusually warm temperatures. However, thanks to their tireless efforts day and night, the track is in top condition."
Check out the White Turf website at:
www.whiteturf.ch
This video was from 2019 and ironically, Zambeso loses his skier at the start, but this year they are in position to take the crown!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK_Atlawst8
WEEKEND 2
The weekend of February 21, 22 & 23
will feature races in
Soldier Hollow, Utah; Meeker, Colorado; Sheridan, Wyoming
and Okotos, Alberta, Canada
Utah's race will be held on Friday & Saturday.
Check out their 2020 Promo Video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6iWdcQOsjU
Meeker and Sheridan will be held Saturday & Sunday.
These are BOTH young races
(Meeker is in their first year and Sheridan in its second.)
http://skijormeeker.com
https://www.wyowinterrodeo.org
Canada's race will be held on Saturday ONLY.
Check out their kick ass website and a recent video!
www.skijorcanada.com
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/hometown-must-skijordue-okotoks/
(Registration for this race is already CLOSED.)
WEEKEND 3
There are three two-day races scheduled in Montana in
West Yellowstone, Wisdom and Boulder.
February 29 & March 1
Skijor West is guaranteeing $10K in added money!
https://skijorwest.com
In addition, Canterbury Park, Minnesota and Skowhegan, Maine
will also hold a one-day race on Saturday.
https://www.canterburypark.com/events/extreme-horse-skijoring/
https://somersetsnowfest.org/skijor-skowhegan/
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~ SHOW THEM SOME LOVE ~
Kremmling, Colorado is working hard at launching
their first skijoring event with the help of Skijor USA.
They have formed a committee and are focused on holding
an inaugural event on March 28, 2020.
We will keep you abreast of their progress!
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~ LOVE HEALS ~
Our thoughts and prayers are with
Tug Birk and Amanda Sanders
who were injured in an accident in Saratoga, Wyoming
last weekend. Thankfully, the horses were not hurt in the incident.
We know that the community is sending them both lots of support.
Get well soon and God Bless.
JOR ON!
Photos courtesy of Skijor International, LLC