TOO HOT TO HANDLE…
The month of July brings with it news that is almost "too hot to handle". . .
First, our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to
everyone who (and every horse which)
is in an extreme fire danger zone
and may already be contending
with wildfires.
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The Skijor USA Qualifying Race Calendar
is looking strong!
Helena, MT ~ January 5 & 6
Steamboat Springs, CO ~ January 12 & 13
Butte, MT ~ January 19 & 20
Pagosa Springs, CO ~ January 19 & 20
Jackson Hole, WY ~ January 26 & 27
Soldier Hollow, UT ~ February 1 & 2
Saratoga, WY ~ February 9 & 10
Polson, MT ~ February 16 & 17
Gunnison, CO ~ February 16 & 17
Wisdom, MT ~ February 23 & 24
Championship Finals ~ March 9 & 10
* In 2019, SJUSA has decided not to schedule any races the weekend of
Leadville, CO ~ March 2 & 3
out of respect for the oldest organized race in equine skijoring history.
SJUSA Team Members will be meeting with organizers of the
Championship Finals next week to finalize plans.
We are feeling confident that AT LEAST two more races
will round out our series giving us four races per region.
And there may be more!
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NOMINATING FOR POINTS
Rather than designating three races within their declared region,
Northern, Central & Southern,
teams of riders, horses and skiers will be able to
go to as many races in their region as they choose
and select their TOP THREE races for points
to qualify for the year end finals.
Our Advisory Committee is still deliberating as to whether
teams might be able to earn points at races outside of their declared region if extenuating circumstances, such as race cancellations
due to adverse weather conditions, exist.
They are also deliberating as to how many teams a rider or skier may enter to compete for points. This will most likely be one or two maximum.
Riders and skiers will NOT be limited, however, as to how many teams they may form to attend races or win prize money except as outlined
by SJUSA and local race rules.
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MEMBER RACE DELEGATES
Each of the above SJUSA races has been asked to appoint a Race Delegate as well as an Alternate Race Delegate to represent the race at round table meetings. These eleven (11) delegates will be announced in our next newsletter and invited to attend an Organizers' Summit the 2nd week of July.
Matters related to the 2019 Triple Cross Pro Skijoring Circuit and Championship Finals will be discussed.
We are thrilled to be getting a jump start on the 2019 season!
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HOT TOPICS
The fire danger, in close proximity to many of our race venues, is extreme,
and our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is contending with these dangerous conditions. As a community, we all feel your worry and your pain.
Colorado has over a dozen fires burning.
The 416 Fire, burning 10 miles north of Durango, is still only 37% contained.
Our thoughts go out to our friends in Silverton, Ridgway and Pagosa Springs.
A Colorado competitor, JJ Swirka, is being affected by the Fairplay Fire.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to her as well.
4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott, Colorado, home to the Eckert Family,
had a very close call with fire only last week.
Utah has at least three fires burning. The West Valley, Black Mountain and Dry Canyon Fires all in southern and southwestern Utah.
We hope that our friends with Skijoring Utah are safe and sound.
Idaho has two fires burning near the Salmon-Challis National Forest and in Wyoming, the Badger Creek Fire near Laramie is 80 percent contained.
Our thoughts go out to our friends in Saratoga, WY.
Montana, on the other hand, is contending with abnormally wet conditions which is causing problems with hay. Kat Licht thought to measure the temperature of a bale that looked suspicious, and on a meat thermometer, it registered as high as 115 degrees! Can you say spontaneous combustion! Good thinking, Kat!
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SUMMER ACHIEVEMENTS
Speaking of Kat Licht. . .
SJUSA would like to acknowledge Kat's efforts to form a team for the
BOZEMAN ROUNDUP RANCH RODEO
The event is 1 & 7 PM on July 21st and 1 PM on July 22nd at Anderson Arena
and is part of the Big Sky Country State Fair
Kat Licht and Kevin Frueh
&
Renegade Rosie and Pop A Top
are looking for
ropers and rough stock riders
to join them in their quest for a portion of a $10,000 prize pot!
The event stands to be one heck of a good time with
Wild Cow Milking, Team Sorting, Ranch Bronc Riding, Team Branding, Hide Race, Team Doctoring, and Trailer Loading contests combined.
The top 10 finishers on Saturday will advance to Sunday's competition.
If you are interested in joining Kat's team
she can be reached at
(815) 993-5288
Katmarie_ipf@outlook.com
or on Facebook under Katherine Marie
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HALL OF FAME
We are still working on a webpage
for the initial Skijor Hall of Fame inductees.
The first eight members were selected by our Advisory Committee Members exclusively, and going forward, we would love to hear from more members of our community.
The horses Hollywood and Jet have already been brought to our attention.
Given this, we will be clarifying in writing the criteria necessary for nomination and the process of selection going forward. Skijor USA is examining the policies of Hall of Fames ranging from Pro Rodeo to Skiing as well as many other sports. Please share your thoughts and comments with us at info@skijorusa.com
You will be able to view a submission form
and the criteria for nominating future inductees
no later than next week!
Thank you for your ongoing votes of confidence as we strive to take
Triple Cross Pro Skijoring to the next level.
JOR ON!
Your Team at Skijor USA
Mark, Levi, Loren, Dana, Terry, Bruce, Clay and Jerry
&
Your SJUSA Qualifying Races