WHEN SPARKS FLY
February 2, 2022
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Wes & Jodie Chapman
of
Chapman Springs Skijoring
in Clark Fork, Idaho
outdid themselves this past weekend
hosting an inaugural event on their private ranch.
Two skijoring courses, one straight and one round,
were carved out in a field bordered by a river and towering pines
with snow covered mountains as a backdrop.
(Can you say "perfect setting"?)
The full day of racing was bookended
with bonfires, firework displays, great food and live music.
The event was sold out to both competitors and spectators.
The array of prizes was unprecedented.
Besides buckles and cash, winners walked away with
a pony, a custom saddle, a custom hat and Wyldgear coolers.
People came from across town, state and national lines
(who doesn't love Canadians, eh?)
to compete and spectate.
Chapman Springs Ranch ignited a spark that will no doubt
result in several more races in Idaho next season.
THANK YOU ! ! !
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As a follow up the idea presented in our
December 24th newsletter,
Skijor USA
is continuing to promote the idea of
STATE CONFERENCES
We feel this is ESSENTIAL to the growth of our sport.
We have learned from what we tried in the past,
and realize that the ability of races to remain autonomous
and have the flexibility to be organized and run independently is vital
since every skijoring venue is unique.
This is the beauty of our sport!
However, it is also important for us to unite as a community and
support each other in our individual endeavors.
One of the greatest successes of Skijor USA was the Organizers' Summit.
This gave organizers, both experienced and new, a chance
to ask questions, air grievances, discuss race dates,
insurance, track building and many other topics.
Skijor USA is proposing the following.
Each state will establish a "conference" which will include all races within its geographical area.
(Organizers can still attend summits of other states if they wish.)
(This will NOT effect competitors teaming up with out of state partners
at ALL other events throughout the circuit.)
Leaders will be appointed who will serve for a designated time,
most likely, one or two years.
Competitors who reside in these states will be able to join the conference.
They can sign up online at any time or while registering/competing at races.
This will NOT be mandatory, but we hope many will voluntarily join
because they want to contribute to a good cause
Membership fees will be retained and managed by the state.
These can be used however the state deems in their best interest.
Skijor USA may require a small percentage go back to the organization
in order to work on national goals such as chasing sponsorships.
Sponsorship proceeds will be shared with events.
At the end of the season, members will vote to nominate
three to five top teams to represent them at a national finals.
This is the ONLY time the team members have to be from THE SAME state.
Competitors will have to prove themselves on both a straight and a round track, if possible.
If not, straight and round track finals can alternate years.
This "finals" may be held at the end of the season
OR
at the beginning of the next season to allow for optimal snow conditions.
Venues can bid to hold the finals as part of an established event
or as a stand alone event. An alternate venue will be voted upon as well
which will act as a back up should snow conditions not cooperate.
Skijor USA will oversee this process.
Skijor USA will help to coordinate state conference meetings as well
as larger meetings as it has in the past.
This does NOT mean that a race is affiliated with Skijor USA
as a sanctioning body. We are only here for structure and support.
Our Advisory Committee will continue to recommend Rules & Regs,
but we will not determine course designs or divisions, placements or payouts.
As long as the race is within the parameters of safety and fairness
as established by the skijor community, they can run their race as they like.
In other words, our sport will be self-policing, but also be as consistent as possible.
We feel this is an important step for our sport
because we need to have STRUCTURE if we are to grow successfully.
Next year we may have as many as 30 races!
The proposed "states" would be as follows:
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Minnesota, Alberta and
any others who may feel in time they have enough races/participants to join.
The media is continuously asking about this topic,
and we feel the above could be a reasonable and workable solution.
Please email loren@skijorusa.com
with any feedback or comments and let us know if you would like to represent your particular state.
We will be having an Advisory Committee meeting to discuss further
and make a more official announcement shortly.
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~ THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS ~
This weekend Skijoring Utah goes to
The High Star Ranch in
KAMAS, UT
Friday & Saturday, February 4 & 5
https://www.skijoringutah.com
This is a NEW VENUE for Skijoring Utah
and they are VERY excited about the extra space!
There will be Women's, Century, Snowboard, Novice, Sport & Open Divisions
There will also be a long jump competition on Saturday ONLY.
This year's event includes a live concert
featuring Chris Petersen from America's Got Talent!
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The Best in the West Showdown returns to
BIG SKY, MT
on Saturday & Sunday, February 5 & 6
at the Town Center
They will be running Junior, Snowboard, Novice, Sport and Open Divisions
as well as a Switch-A-Roo which is new in 2022!
In this division, the skier and rider change roles each day.
San Juan Skijoring includes this division
and it is A BLAST to watch!
https://www.bigskyskijoring.com
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For its sixth annual event,
SARATOGA, WY
presents skijoring at the Buck Springs Arena
on Saturday & Sunday, February 5 & 6.
Divisions will be Youth, Novice, Sport and Open/Pro.
Registration and Calcutta will be held at
the Hotel Wolf as is traditional.
http://www.saratogaskiijoring.com
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~ RECENT UPDATES ~
Sundance, WY
has been cancelled due to lack of snow.
Whitefish, MT
has postponed their event
but will be announcing a new date soon.
We recommend going to their website and Facebook pages for updates.
https://www.facebook.com/whitefishskijoring/
www.whitefishskijoring.com
Also, the exhibition event in
Banff, Alberta, Canada
is still TBD.
For a full schedule of 2022 events, go to www.skijorusa.com
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~ FACES OF SKIJORING ~
Check out over 80 photos from Chapman Springs Skijoring!
https://www.facebook.com/skijorusa/photos/
TAG AWAY ! ! !
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~ LATEST RESULTS ~
Chapman Springs Skijoring
in Clark Fork, ID
Beginner Division
1st Place Anna Anderson & Sally Camp 30.387
2nd Place Crystal Hudson & Josh Brandt 32.514
3rd Place Lucas Garrett & Bree Jones 33.321
Sport Division
1st Place Michael Miller & Foster Kennedy 40.248
2nd Place Lucas Garrett & Foster Kennedy 43.097
3rd Place Dennis Alverson & Nicholas Becker 44.247
Pro Division
1st Place Keely Gibb & Foster Kennedy 51.116
2nd Place Arnie Rains & Cody Smith 51.331
3rd Place BK Karl & Brad Clifford 51.927
*Times were determined by combining the team's two runs of the day.
~ FUN FACTS ~
Once again, skier Foster Kennedy from Alberta, Canada
claimed several wins: 1st & 2nd in Sport and 1st in Open!
Cody Smith, traveled from Spokane,
and continues to ski with strength and confidence.
placing 2nd in Open with local rider, Arnie Rains.
Michael Miller placed 1st in Sport donning his fur coat and yellow mirrored sunglasses,
and Keely Gibb, who traveled from Alberta, Canada,
took home first prize in Open.
She is now the proud mother of "Brandon"
(named aptly, to be in keeping with the times. . .)
For full results, go to the link below:
https://www.chapmansprings.com/chapman-springs-skijoring-2022-results/
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~ INTERNATIONAL SCENE ~
In Saint Moritz, Switzerland
WHITE TURF
will begin this weekend with first time Saturday sessions
on February 5, 12 & 19
geared toward youth and family activities.
These days will complement the traditional Sunday racing sessions
on February 6, 13 & 20
Here is an excerpt from their 2022 magazine:
"The White Turf Organising Committee is delighted to be widening its programme in 2022. This includes the expansion of event offerings and the exploitation of synergies with St. Moritz Tourism and other event organisers. Furthermore, the White Turf grounds will be open to the public around Race Sundays.
The biggest innovation comes in the form of the White Turf Family Days, which will take place on Race Saturdays, i.e. on 5th, 12th and 19th February 2022. The aim is to encourage young, talented boys and girls to take up this dynamic sport.
In addition, the White Turf Committee is organising the popular pony races - the first race taking place at 12 noon and the last at around 2.15 p.m. For smaller children aged five and up, “skikjöring taxi rides” will be offered at 2.30 p.m."
www.whiteturf.ch
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~ MEDIA EXPOSURE ~
CNN Sport
has been working with Skijor USA
on a dynamic story which will cover equine skijoring.
Its past role and potential future role in the Winter Olympic Games
is of particular interest to the London reporter.
In response,
Skijor USA has formed a new committee
SJIOC
(Ski Jor International Olympic Committee)
to promote our sport in hopes of gaining exposure in some capacity
at the Winter Olympics which are most likely going to
Salt Lake City in 2030 or 2034.
Our friends at Skijor Canada & Skijoring Utah
are already on board with this effort!
If you would like to be involved,
email us at loren@skijorusa.com
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Skijoring Magazine
and
Skijor USA
were both present at Chapman Springs Skijoring
to support this new event.
The enthusiasm for more races in Idaho was a hot topic!
Skijoring Magazine will be in Big Sky, MT
& Skijor USA will be in Kamas, UT.
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JOR ON! and Stay safe and healthy!
Loren Zhimanskova,
President, Skijor USA, Inc. & Skijor International, LLC