UNITED WE STAND
September 11, 2018
"Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all!
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!"
This famous saying is quoted from
"The Liberty Song" published in the Boston Gazette in 1768.
And it still rings true today!
As we approach our 2019 Skijoring Season,
we wish to emphasize that we are a Skijoring Alliance
and that our goal is to "stand" together and make our sport stronger.
We have promised transparency, professionalism and results.
We are doing our best to deliver all of these to you!
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~ TEAMWORK ~
Last Friday, our Advisory Committee
met to discuss the Divisional Format, the Hall of Fame,
the growth of our sport and the impact this is likely to have.
It was a very productive meeting, and we thank all of those in attendance.
Races and competitors will be hearing from us shortly
with official documents outlining the 2019 Skijoring Race Series,
Member Race Agreements & Points Nomination Forms.
"Sign ups" will begin this fall.
~ THE COUNTDOWN ~
There are now less than 16 weeks,
or 109 days, before our first race!
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~ HARDWORK ~
While Skijor USA is actively chasing corporate sponsorships,
our organization and individual races are also proud
to be supporting programs that offer
Equine Assisted Therapy for Veterans of War.
The success of our 2019 Triple Cross Skijoring season
may directly impact organizations such as
V.E.T.S.
Five by Five
Herd 2 Human
Heroes and Horses
The Veterans Barn Door Project
The Man O' War Project
PATH, Int'l
& more
Currently, there are equine programs specifically designed
for veterans with PTSD and TBI in 29 states.
Surprisingly, not very many are in the Rocky Mountain West
so one of our goals at SJUSA is
to support those which are established and help to offer more.
Shockingly, suicide rates are highest in the very states where our races occur:
Montana being #1, Wyoming being #3
and Colorado, Utah and Idaho being not far behind.
Such programs benefit not only veterans, but also horses
which can be given a home, a new purpose and saved from slaughter.
According to Bloodhorse.com:The U.S. horse industry employs nearly one million Americans and contributes $122 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). EAAT programs not only provide valuable services for U.S. veterans, but the operations also support jobs for a growing number of working Americans, and "second careers" for horses who would otherwise retire from racing or other working roles. According to a 2017 economic impact study, EAAT supports more than 6,700 jobs and generates $311.7 million in annual revenues in the U.S.
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~ HOMEWORK ~
Did you know that. . .
Pro Bull Riders "took a stand" and followed an initiative
begun by Shorty Gorham in 2016 to stand during the National Anthem?
Here is their official statement:
WE STAND UNITED
We are professional bull riders and bull fighters representing six countries competing on PBR’s largest stage.
We respect the right of all citizens to engage in peaceful protest. It is a fundamental freedom that makes America one of the greatest countries in the world.
For us the choice is clear, WE choose to stand united and without protest during the national anthem of the country in which we are competing.
We stand to honor all men and women whose sacrifice and commitment ensures these freedoms, helps unite the nation, and propels America forward.
Politics aside, we at Skijor USA honor the sacrifice that those
who fight for our freedom have made and continue to make; and yes,
respecting our anthem goes hand in hand with respecting our troops who
ensure that America remains a country where we can speak freely.
So we hope you will stand with us,
stand with our races, stand with our initiatives
and, in doing so, support the programs that help our veterans!
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~ HOME SWEET HOME ~
We are glad that members of our Skijoring Community
are safe and sound after the tragic loss of an outfitter to a bear attack
in the Terrace Mountain area of the Teton Wilderness this past weekend.
Mark Uptain, 37, was a local entrepreneur, raised in Casper, Wyoming, who now
tragically, leaves behind five children and his wife.
We are also glad that the wild horses of the "Outer Banks"
in North Carolina have weathered Hurricane Florence
and are getting back to their normal routine.
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~ HOMEGROWN ~
Many of you in our Skijoring Community
have been posting photos of recent trail rides whether you are on
family and friend outings like
Kirstie Bajza
JJ Swirka
Tyger Falmo
Becky Iglehart
Tyler Peterson &
Kristen Beck
or on hunting expeditions like
Josh Abbott
Lane Hutchings &
Terry Dolan
so we thought to share "He's 'JUST' a Trail Horse"
with you in which the unknown author praises the qualities
of trail horses since, in his mind, they demonstrate and combine talents of horses of many other disciplines.
Let all of the trail horses among us take a bow
while we stand and salute them!
He's "JUST" a Trail Horse
I can't count the number of times that I have heard the words "Oh you just trail ride" or "It's just a trail horse", especially from other riders who focus on only one discipline. And each time I have to smirk a little. To be JUST a Trail Rider you need a very special talented kind of steed for which many folks don't realize the expertise required:
- He needs to be as maneuverable as a Dressage Horse...to be able to place each foot exactly where and when you need because there is a steep cliff drop-off on one side and a wall of solid mountainside on the other. A sure-footed horse is a must to be a good Trail horse.
-He needs to be as bold as a Foxhunter....to go willingly where he is pointed, whether that is over a log, up a steep hill, down a gully, through rushing water, boot-sucking mud or bushwhacking through thick scrub.
-He needs to be as agile as a Show Jumper....able to easily twist and turn around trees and bushes, boulders and hop over fallen logs.
-He needs to have the stamina of an Endurance Horse....because a 7 mile ride can easily turn into a 20 mile ride if his "on-board GPS" (aka rider) takes a wrong turn.
-He needs to have the calm mind of a Rodeo Pick-Up Horse....because many horses can not hold it together under stress. But a good Trail Horse must be able to cope with the high emotional energy often coming from other horses in front, behind and either side of her. He needs to always be level-headed and sensible.
-He needs to manage being squashed against others like a Polo Pony....because on some trails his nose might be pushed against a tail in front, or flanks pressed side-by-side with rider's knees banging against other rider's knees, or another horse breathing down his back. He needs to have patience and get along well with others.
-He needs to cope with bursts of speed like a Racehorse.....because if that "on-board GPS" (aka rider), stated above, turns the short ride into 20 miles you won't get home till dark if walking that whole distance.
-He needs to be a clever problem-solver with his mind and feet like a Cutting horse....sometimes his rider is gonna get him stuck in places that seem impossible to get out of!
-He needs to be brave like a Cow Horse because not only will he have to deal with protective mama cows and bulls out on the trails, but he'll also be faced with mountain bikes, ATVs, motorcycles, strollers, tractors, logging equipment, chainsaws, horse-drawn carts, bullet-riddled appliances, floating plastic bags and balloons, booming thunder and pouring rain with flapping slickers, loose wild horses and burros, and all forms of wildlife.
-And he needs to be cuddly and sweet like a Child's Pony....because he will spend countless hours exploring trails with his rider.
But hey.... He's "JUST" a Trail Horse
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SAVE THE DATES
Monday, September 24th, Organizers' Summit
Thursday, September 27, Corporate Council Meeting
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JOR ON!
Your Team at Skijor USA
Mark, Levi, Loren, Dana, Bruce, Clay and Jerry
&
Your SJUSA Member Race Delegates
Photos courtesy of
Tyger Falmo & Becky Iglehart