February 23, 2023
~ SKI-DRIVING ~
Photographs courtesy Mary Rosenberg of North Gait Skijoring
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~ EXPANDING OUR HORIZONS ~
Skijor USA's experience at
North Gait Skijoring
in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota
was everything we had hoped for and MORE!
Loren spent a three day weekend
in the company of an enthusiastic group
of equestrians who are learning to ski behind their horses.
You, got it, no rider.
This form of skijoring has been popular in Europe
for over 100 years, and Loren experienced this style of skijoring
when she visited France and Switzerland six years ago.
The horse is controlled by verbal commands and
reining techniques and must also be
trained to accept the unfamiliar feel and sound of the skier
behind it. This takes time and dedication.
North Gait formed a club five years ago,
and the group meets frequently for open practices,
lessons on site with trainer, Abbie Schramm, as well as for monthly
club meetings at which members compare experiences,
discuss their progress and take time to socialize.
The weather was perfect for our visit so we all lingered
"course side" after the skijoring event.
A bonfire warded off the winter chill as the sun started to slip behind the trees.
We sampled a new cocktail invented by Skijor USA called
The Skijor Toddy.
(Loren owes full credit to her Yale Club bartender, Sean.)
It is prepared with Jack Daniels Honey Whiskey,
orange bitters and muddled orange and lemon wedges over ice.
Everyone LOVED it!
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The skijoring track is a quarter mile oval
with two circles within it so that skijorers can choose
to practice in tighter circles or build up speed along the straight aways.
The club has both men and women members.
Some are husbands and wives,
mothers and sons
and others are brothers!
Many have recruited good friends.
One member named Michelle Osborn competed at Canterbury Park
last year with her horse, Diva, and placed third in Novice.
Michelle drove Diva for the first time on Sunday,
and she was thrilled with her performance!
Michelle and other members of the skijoring club also
practice Western style after the ski-driving sessions are complete.
Loren was able to practice both styles of skijoring with success
thanks to the expert guidance offered by the group!
She drove a horse named Apple Jack
and
skied behind Michelle and Diva.
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~ SKIJOR TRAVEL ~
As the result of Skijor USA's relationship
with Mary Rosenberg who founded the Skijoring Club,
we are pleased to be working with professional travel guide,
Claudia Allene,
who is offering a trip to Switzerland on February 15-24, 2024.
It will feature VIP tickets to the White Turf event
as part of the 10 day package!
For more information,
contact Claudia at
claudiaaroundtheworld@gmail.com
A flyer has been posted on Skijor USA's Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/skijorusa
and it will also appear on our website when more details are available.
We are hoping to follow this up with a skijor trip to Zakopane, Poland in 2025!
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~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~
This coming weekend 6 events will be held
throughout the US & Canada.
Four are Saturday ONLY.
Skijor Derby in
Gillette, Wyoming
http://gilletteskijorderby.com/
Extreme Events MN Skijoring in
Canterbury Park, Minnesota
https://extremeeventsmn.com/skijoring
Skijordue in
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
https://www.skijorcanada.com
Skijor Skowhegan in
Skowhegan, Maine
https://somersetsnowfest.org
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Two are full weekend events.
Teton Valley Skijoring in
Driggs, Idaho
https://www.tetonskijor.org/
Big Hole Valley Skijoring in
Wisdom, Montana
https://www.facebook.com/BigHoleValleySkiJoring
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~ EUROPE ~
Competitors in Poland
continue their skiring and ski-skiring
(skiing without a rider / skiing with a rider)
in Zakopane this weekend.
The photographs that are posted
on social media from
the past few events are EXTRAORDINARY!
The horses are spectacular, the scenery pristine
and the traditional costumes worn by the competitors, beautiful
reflecting the alpine style of the region.
To view the photos go to the Kumoterki Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/KumoterkiPL
and scroll to Marta Pasternak's Fotografia.
They are also shared to Skijor USA's Facebook page.
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~ A NEW SYSTEM ~
This season, races have experimented with various methods
of determining divisions.
The traditional approach of allowing competitors to enter according
to their self-determined ability level is still most popular.
Open, Sport, Novice, etc.
Several races continued to experiment with the "D" system, too.
Some are using it overall, others for Sport only.
We applaud efforts to improve any format which would lead to
a more equitable distribution of placements and prizes,
encourage competitors to move up over time,
and give new competitors an incentive to return the next season.
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This weekend, Big Hole Valley Skijoring is trying something new.
This is an excerpt from their 2023 rules.
"At the 2023 Wisdom Race your team time on Saturday will determine which Division you will be placed in for the second days race and the average. Your time on Saturday will place you in one of three Divisions = Open, Sport or Novice. For true first timers or true beginners we will have a division called Beginners. We will also have a Women’s Team Division. We will not have a Century Division in 2023.
As we said above, your time after the Saturday race will place you on a ranked list of all teams. The top 20% of times will go in the Open, the second 40% will go in Sport, the next 40% will go in Novice. If the number of teams results in a percent calculation with a less than a full number, we will round to the nearest full number to determine which Division you will fall into."
Another suggestion that has been floated is to create a new division
between Open and Sport.
Why not?
Sport was created years ago to address a serious issue,
why not remedy the current situation
with yet another?
Send comments to loren@skijorusa.com
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~ GIRL POWER ~
Here is the report from the last Sunday of White Turf
in Saint Moritz, Switzerland.
"The third and final Race Sunday of this year’s White Turf was once again held in glorious sunshine.
The highlight was the crowning of
Valeria Selina Walther
as the new Queen of the Engadine after winning the overall standings in the Credit Suisse Skikjöring Trophy.
Valeria Walther is only the second woman in the history of this traditional discipline to achieve this.
The press release further states,
Skikjöring entirely in female hands
"The skikjöring race, the Grand Prix Credit Suisse, was run over the regular distance.
Moonflight withstood all attacks with Valeria Schiergen on her skis.
The gray, trained by Peter Schiergen and owned by Murezzan Racing Stable, relegated Atlantico to runner up.
Thanks to two second places at this year’s White Turf, Valeria Selina Walther, Atlantico’s rider,
was nevertheless crowned Queen of the Engadine for the first time.
Third-placed Los Angeles was also ridden by a woman,
Leta Joos.
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~ IT'S A BOY! ~
We would like to congratulate
Amanda & Josh Abbott
on the birth of their first child,
Leslie Carl.
These are grandfather's names from both sides of the family,
and he will affectionately be called "Lee".
Lee was born on Monday, February 20th in the great state of Montana.
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~ IN THE NEWS ~
Did you know that
"SKIJORING"
( see-jawr-ing )
was chosen as the word of the day by
dictionary.com on February 22nd?
Ted Slathar, organizer of the Canterbury Park event
coming up this weekend, posted it on Instagram
commenting that it was perfect timing!
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Skijor USA was interviewed by
Well and Good
about skijoring as a form of recreational exercise
Click below to read:
https://www.wellandgood.com/skijoring/
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The Saturday Evening Post
released an article
for which Skijor USA was interviewed in December.
It covers the topic of how entertaining
our events are to attend
touching specifically on Skijor Canada, Skijoring Utah, Teton Valley Skijoring,
Big Sky Skijoring and Canterbury Park
Click below to read:
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2023/02/discover-skijoring-and-maybe-even-give-it-a-try-at-these-winter-races/
Congratulations to Silverton Skijoring organizers
for another successful race!
Reuben Schafir, Durango Herald Staff Writer, puts it perfectly. . .
"By 11 a.m. Saturday, Silverton appeared, in part, to have regressed a century.
Wrangler-clad riders on horseback rode up and down the streets of the historic mining town.
At the south end of Blair Street, temporary corrals filled the parking spots
generally occupied by Subarus and pickup trucks.
Cowboy-hat wearing horse handlers sipped beer while puffy-jacket-bundled skiers took hits of joints."
To read the full article and view photos, click below.
https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/hippie-cowboys-take-to-silvertons-streets/?fbclid=IwAR0HtzrqGV-WDSMYJc9ZOQ6pKJBzhjMFmYoIXS-ZeDQaB1SzGjmnpUN6s_M
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~ NEW EVENTS ~
Thunder In The Pines
in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
will be holding their event on March 11th
at 5 PM.
Yup, these zany Canadians are skijoring in the dark again!
An event in Burnett, Wisconsin
was held on February 11th
and presented by the Wisconsin State Horse Council.
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
hosted an event last weekend.
An event in St. Paul, Alberta, Canada dubbed
Wild West Shiver Skijoring
was held last weekend
and sponsored by the St. Paul Ag Society.
Their Facebook post reads:
"Beautiful horses, great people and some fantastic crashes!"
There are three more events in Alberta ALL on March 11th!
Sundance, Wyoming has already announced their date for 2024!
Saturday, February 17th, 2024.
They had a GREAT turnout this season
and
a very active social media campaign
with over 100 likes on each post.
Word has it an event may be coming to Michigan next season!
We'll let you know more when we have details.
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~ RESULTS ~
Congratulations to everyone who entered each division.
We LOVE seeing new names on the rosters
and
we hope you keep coming back for more skijoring fun!
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Silverton Skijoring ~ Combined Times
Open
1st: Dennis Alverson on Jimmy with Colin Cook 38.29
2nd: Richard Weber on Frank & Beans with Tyler Smedsrud 38.92
3rd: Richard Weber on McLeod with Colin Cook 39.38
Sport
1st: Tyler Smedsrud on Three with Sherwood Smith 39.94
2nd: Emmy Rae on Black with Riley Irwin 40.89
3rd: Tyler Smedsrud on Three with Rob Conaty 44.04
Novice:
1st: Tyler Ferguson on Slim with Treven Hunter 47.87
2nd: Olivia Salter on Cash with Byrne Dobrient 56.01
3rd: Justin Bailey on JB with Treven Hunter 56.59
Wood River Extreme Skijoring ~ Combined Times
Open
1st: Harlee Manning on Dexter with Cam Fraser 32.39
2nd: Katherine Licht on Babes Last Rascal with Cam Fraser 32.63
3rd: Harlee Manning on Dexter with KJ Savaria 33.78
Sport
1st: John Hyde on Otis with Kurtis Fieguth 34.65
2nd: Kali Castle on Cinco with Kurtis Fieguth 35.14
3rd: Jennifer Butler on Junior with Kurtis Fieguth 36.28
Novice
1st: Hollis Lloyd on Peppy with Tyler Boody 36.44
2nd: Cole Youren on Bacardi with David Rau 37.03
3rd: Cole Youren on Arrow with David Rau 37.52
Snowboard
1st: Hollis Lloyd on Peppy with Jakobe Chacon 38.99
2nd: Katherine Licht on King Stormy Luck with Jakobe Chacon 42.13
3rd: Lizzy Cameron on Change with Taylor Cnossen 46.80
Women
1st: Kali Castle on Howard with Anastasie Echeverria 34.20
2nd: Whitney Harvell on Wrangler with Alina Gemza 38.97
3rd: Katherine Licht on King Stormy Luck with Tara Bell 40.08
Pee Wee
1st: Cara Malone on Zipp with Bridger Abel 57.10
2nd: Luke Mullendore on Brownie with Mitch Mullendore 75.17
3rd: Tyler Sorch with Levi Sorch 162.12
Sheridan, Wyoming
Open
1st: Jake Underwood on Marshal with Carson Long 23.80
2nd: Terry Mines on Gringo with Robert Beckman 24.30
3rd: Tommy Ford on Acorn with Carson Long 25.20
Sport
1st: Stephanie Linsley on Zorro with Jared Scheid 19.34
2nd: Jared Schaefer on Chica with Heidi Gustafson 21.54
3rd: Chris Sorenson on Roper with Justin White 21.61
Novice
1st: Jaime Siemion on Barry with Bailey Myers 21.08
2nd: Tommy Ford on Acorn with Mike Brisson 21.20
3rd: Jaime Siemion on Barry with Chase Brunkhorst 22.02
Snowboard
1st: Stephanie Linsley on Zorro with Cam Weber 21.82
2nd: Dylan Herbst on The Banquet Horse with Braden Herbst 21.86
3rd: Stephanie Linsley on Tashka with Cam Weber 23.52
Century
1st: Terry Mines on Gringo with John Gaviotis 24.76
Bear Lake, Utah
Open
1st: Sarah Wamsley and Jake Smoot
2nd: Dave Teichert and Chad Caloroso
3rd: Cassidy DeVore and James Cissold
Novice
1st: Scott Long and Steve Snedecor
2nd: Sarah Wamsley and Mike Owens
3rd: Trevor Bass and Josh Hanley
Sr. Youth
1st: James Dudley and Bentley Yorgensen
2nd: Quinci Siddoway and James Wamsley
Jr. Youth
1st: Matt Nilson and Franco St Jeor
2nd: Mark Ure and Soy Snedecor
3rd: Jake Wiberg and Franco St Jeor
Sundance, Wyoming
Open
1st: Zack Pautz and Jacob Fosheim
Boarder
1st: Michael Roberts and Zach Steele
Powder Puff
1st: Brittany Leafe and Jacy Todd
Young Guns
1st: Zack and Shorty
Craig, Colorado ~ Combined Times
Open
1st: Richard Weber on Frank & Beans with Tyler Smedsrud 27.75
2nd: Richard Weber on McLeod with Tyler Smedsrud 27.78
3rd: Tate Rogers on Seven with Tyler Smedsrud 28.35
Sport
1st: Eric Brynildson on Clark with Ben Hessling 29.62
2nd: Cody Stickler on Keisha with Jason Decker 30.0
3rd: Janelle Urista on Wicked W with Ozzie Hay 30.06
Novice
1st: Leroy Maendel on Lucky with Eric Brynildson 38.94
2nd: Karsten Shumway on Agate with Justin Crumbaugh 39.13
3rd: Ben Hessling on Oscar with Eric Brynildson 48.55
Youth
1st: Eric Brynildson on Lucky with Jaxon Brynildson 34.56
2nd: Kimber Cook on Badger with PJ McConnell 39.96
3rd: Kaley McLean on Chopper with Kaleb 50.63
Pinedale, Wyoming ~ Average Time
Open
1st: John Hyde on JJ with Sean Boylan 18.13
2nd: John Hyde on JR with Sean Boylan 18.65
Sport
1st: Richard Raymer on Ringo with Jep Richie 16.99
2nd: John Hyde on Otis with Jep Richie 17.52
3rd: Kelli Hyde on Ellie Mae with Stosh Czarniack 17.58
Novice
1st: Hollis Lloyd on Peppy with Joe Lloyd 19.65
2nd: Nicole Tompson on Pepper with Forest Tompson 20.89
3rd: Hollis Lloyd on Peppy with Tyler Boody 21.18
Junior
1st: Bryanna Wackermann on Dakota with Ally Wackermann 16.88
2nd: Clairee Bingham on Kane with Shone Bingham 16.98
3rd: Phil Selby and Hardy Selby 19.69
Boulder, Montana ~ Combined Times
1D
1st: Josh Abbott on Reb with Colin Cook 30.63
2nd: Kevin Frueh on Pop A Top with Colin Cook 30.89
3rd: Dennis Alverson on Jimmy with Colter Fretwell 31.52
(2D Unavailable)
3D
1st: Brian Roberts on Clyde with Ryan Merkel 45.12
2nd: Shannon Moody on Gus with Jade Thomas 46.1
3rd: Cyndel Liebel on Jolene with Jake Warner 48.8
Novice
1st: Mary Gandy on Butters with Tayler McVey 37.45
2nd: Alyssa Sylvia on Malt with Morgan Bills 37.64
3rd: Stephen Lord on Katie with Kristin VanEveren 39.35
Junior
1st: Sayre Smith on Charlie with Bennett Smith 67.59
2nd: Cortney Anderson on Moon with Gage Anderson 75.88
3rd: Quentin McCauley on GW with Roxy Lewis 79.03
For complete results go to
SkijorUSA's Facebook Page
where links from each event's results were shared.
https://www.facebook.com/skijorusa
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To those who knew Sherry Graham,
we mourn the loss of a friend, passionate competitor
and champion rider who was on the skijoring circuit for many years.
Sherry takes with her many stories that would have
made today's skijoring races sound tame.
Sherry was responsible for skijoring coming to Minturn, Colorado,
and if that hadn't happened, I may never have gotten involved in the sport.
Thank you, my friend.
We hope you find peace and a place to skijor up above.
We also hope you find a bar to play butt quarters. She was damn good at it!
but, then you should have seen her ride a horse!
JOR ON!
Loren Zhimanskova,
President, Skijor USA, Inc. & Skijor International, LLC