STYLIN’ SKIJOR
Above images courtesy of Skijor Canada, Mark LaRowe Photography
Skijoring Utah and Whitefish Skijoring
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There's something about skijoring
that brings out the WILD SIDE when it comes to dressing for the occasion.
What occasion? Well, you know, something you don't see or do everyday like
galloping a horse through the snow while pulling a skier or boarder.
SKIJORING!
This weekend's line up is sure to turn a lot of heads
when it comes to fashion statements
and skijor action!
All you have to do is check out the social media and websites
for
Skijor Canada and Skijoring Utah!
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~ NEW EVENT ~
Skijoring for MS
in
Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
will be held on March 11th
This is their second annual skijoring event!
The race benefits a charity,
MS Ain't Purdy,
founded by a little boy named Griffen Mitchell Purdy
whose Dad was diagnosed with MS in 2008 Griffen when he just a baby.
Last year 40 teams participated
and they raised $20,000 for Multiple Sclerosis Canada!
To follow, like and learn more about this event
and to support a great cause check out their Facebook page below
where you can also see lots of great photos from 2022.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089847481412
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~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~
Skijoring Utah
registered teams last night in Heber City.
They launched an eye-popping Instagram campaign this year
&
asked competitors to get creative with team names and bios
on their website.
No doubt, the crowd will get a kick out of hearing them announced.
Here are some hilarious examples:
Up To Snow Good
Frisky Whiskey
Duns and Roses
New Ride Who Dis?
Lunachics
Ride It Like A Rental
&
The Park City Drinking Team Has A Skijoring Problem
Visitors to the website were invited to vote on their favorite team(s).
Can't wait to see who wins!
Once again, there will also be a Big Air competition on Saturday!
Best of luck to organizers
as well as
to everyone and every horse competing.
https://www.skijoringutah.com/
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Whitefish Skijoring & Montana Winter Fair
Two events are scheduled in Montana this weekend.
Blue Moon Nite Club is sponsoring Whitefish Skijoring this year
and the new venue, Sapa Family Farm, is just down the road
between Whiltefish and Columbia Falls off US 2.
This gives organizers, course builders, competitors and spectators
plenty of room to play around on horses and skis
and, oh yeah, to drink!
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Lewistown, Montana
is skijoring at its Winter Fair once again
and races will be held both Saturday and Sunday
at the Fergus County Fairgrounds.
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CANADA
Skijor Canada is once again putting on an exhibition event as part of
The Banff Winter Carnival.
The tourism board describes the event as follows:
"Teams of athletes and horses from Skijor Canada will descend on the town of Banff
for a breath-taking exhibition of horse-riding, trick-riding, and ski stunts.
Join us to watch Alberta cowboys, cowgirls, and their horses, partner
with trick skiers to thrill and entertain the crowd"
More power to you, SKIJOR CANADA!.
Check out videos on https://www.skijorcanada.com/
Mark your calendars for their next event
Skijordue on February 25, 2023
at the Calgary Polo Grounds
where teams can enter to compete
in a variety of divisions.
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POLAND
The town of Poronin
in the Tatra Mountain Region
will feature skijoring this Saturday!
This event is part of a series taking place in seven towns
all located in the southern mountains near the Slovakian border.
Traditionally, the series culminates in Zakopane, the region's premier ski resort.
This year skijoring goes to Zakopane on February 26th.
In Poland there are two skijoring divisions, one with a rider and one without.
Horses also pull wooden sleds controlled by riders who rein while seated.
To follow these events, go to the Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/KumoterkiPL
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SWITZERLAND
In advance of the traditional White Turf event
in which skijoring races are held on February 5, 12 and 19,
Snow Polo
is being held on the lake of Saint Moritz this weekend.
It is celebrating its 38th year.
Like our skijoring events, snow polo is dependent on weather conditions
and just 10 days ago organizers were not certain the event could be held.
Once temperatures dropped
low enough to make the ice on the lake safe,
crews scrambled to move 220 tons of infrastructure into place.
Games take place on Friday and Sunday
with a Gala Dinner Saturday.
Six teams will compete with players from numerous countries
including Azerbaijan, the defending champions.
Check our their website at
https://www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com/
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~ BULLETIN BOARD ~
Pinedale Skijoring is looking for Open Skiers.
The event is coming up the weekend of February 11 & 12.
Please contact John Hyde at hydejohn66@gmail.com or (307) 231-9271
if you wish to compete as an Open skier.
Teton Skijoring has changed its dates to February 26 & 27.
For details go to: https://tetonskijor.org/
Saint-Brigide d'Iberville, Quebec
sadly had to cancel their event due to insurance issues.
If you can help to ensure future events in Quebec,
please contact loren@skijorusa.com.
We are still waiting to hear on a date for Thunder In The Pines.
Our friends at the S3 Boardshop in Grande Prairie
are keeping us at the edge of our boards!
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~ ADVISORY COMMITTEE ~
We have held several conference calls
discussing various topics and will be releasing notes in the next newsletter.
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~ IN THE NEWS ~
Sun Valley Magazine
published a story focusing on
Wood River Skijoring
in Hailey, Idaho.
Local competitors Josh Glick,
who is competing in Utah today and tomorrow,
and Katelyn Herman are quoted.
&
Photographs by
Mark LaRowe
are featured two of which are posted above.
We hope to be seeing Mark at some of the skijoring events this year!
The article ends with the observation,
"It's easy to see why skijoring is gaining in popularity.
Fast-paced and exciting, it's easy and fun to watch.
The adrenaline, the conradery, and the obvious enjoyment from all three
team members are palpable in the air.
They are the quintessential American Mountain West
archetypes whose values and pursuits of freedom and fun
define why many of us try to live in snow-capped open spaces.
They are the horse, the rider, and the skier."
To view and read the full article go to page 76-81
in the digital version on the link below:
https://sunvalleymag.com/
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Our thoughts are with
Jed Moore
who sustained an injury on Saturday in Pagosa Springs.
In true bull rider fashion, Jed still rode on Sunday
(winning that Division as you will see below!)
and managed to snowboard as well.
Let's hope his scapula, yep, also known as the shoulder blade
that connects the humerus (upper arm bone)
with the clavicle (collar bone)
is healing up fast.
Jed, no doubt, we will be seeing you
at future races this season.
Just, wow. . .
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~ RECENT 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!
San Juan Open
1st: Josh Abbott on Elvis and Colin Cook (44.51)
2nd: Richard Weber III on McLeod with Tyler Smedsrud (46.12)
3rd: Josh Abbott on Elvis with Aaron Griffen (46.40)
Pagosa Springs Open
1st: Josh Abbott on Reb with Aaron Griffen (32.67)
2nd: Josh Abbott on Elvis with Aaron Griffen (33.06)
3rd: Richard Weber on McLeod with Colin Cook (33.26)
San Juan Sport
1st: Lauren Urista on Stevie and Sherwood Smith (51.22)
2nd: TJ Simmons on Luigi and Ben Hasseling (51.76)
3rd: Cody Stickler on Keisha and Kolby Ward (51.79)
Pagosa Springs Sport
1st: Jed Moore on Pete with Sherwood Smith (17.6)
2nd: Trae McInroe on Charlie with Tara Hines (17.735)
3rd: Tyler Smedsrud on Three with Lane Feliesen (17.835)
San Juan Novice
1st: Kimber Cook on Badger and Milo Deitemeyer (59.14)
2nd: Tyler Ferguson on Birdie and Milo Deitemeyer (1:02.92)
3rd: Charly Mooney on Goldseekn “Rookie” and Colton McCullough (1:04.07)
Pagosa Springs Novice
1st: Olivia Salter on Cash with Byrne Dobrient (23.88)
2nd: Grace Green on Chance with Byrne Dobrient (24.48)
3rd: Shady Valdez on Montana with Justin Crumbau (26.69)
San Juan Open Snowboard
1st: Erin Luks on Emmie and Kalei Pitcher (57.90)
2nd: Richard Weber Jr. on Dirty with Kalei Pitcher (1:00.87)
3rd: Erin Luks on Cinder with Jack Walker (1:03.79)
Pagosa Springs Open Snowboard
Tyler Ferguson on Birdie with Kevin Wilder (19.61)
Richard Weber on Dirty with Kalei Pitcher (20.13)
Richard Weber on Dirty with Elli Pospischil (20.53)
San Juan Snowboard Lite
1st: Chance Adams on GW with Kevin Wilder ((1:03.56)
2nd: Stephanie Linsley on Tashka with Trent Sanders (1:12.11)
3rd: Stephanie Linsley on Tashka with Cameron Weber (1:18.46)
Pagosa Springs Snowboard Lite
1st: Jessica Miller on Sid with Tyler Ferguson (21.485)
2nd: Owen Tully on Doll Face with Kohen Pitcher (32.00)
3rd: Chad Hamilton on Grass Hopper with Trent Sanders (33.56)
San Juan Switch-A-Roo
1st: Colin Cook and Tyler Smedsrud with Three (54.36)
2nd: Fiona Alverson and Phoebe Alverson with Raven (1:03.04)
3rd: Eric Brynildson and Ben Hasseling with Clark (1:03.42)
San Juan Junior
1st: Jessica Miller on Riser with Caden Ferguson (1:09.64)
2nd: Amanda Sanders on Snake with Rio Birk (1:55.67)
3rd: Kimber Cook on Badger with PJ McConnell (2:04.99)
For complete results go to
San Juan Skijoring or Skis and Saddles Face Book pages.
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JOR ON!
Loren Zhimanskova,
President, Skijor USA, Inc. & Skijor International, LLC