VIVE LE SKIJOERING! VIVE LA FRANCE!
This weekend is a great time to celebrate the history of equine skijoring!
Congratulations, France!
Yesterday, France celebrated its 229th year of independence.
&
Today, France won the World Cup Soccer Championship
beating Croatia.
As many of you know,
equine skijoring has been a tradition in France since the early 1900's.
Chamonix is one area where skijoring is still popular
and offered as a recreational activity for tourists.
Les Arcs in Bourg St. Maurice is another.
Prior to equine skijoring making an appearance
in the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland,
it also played a part in the
1926 Chamonix International Winter Sports Week Games!
It was at these games that the Winter Olympics, as we know them today, were created, and where it was determined they would occur every four years.
SKIJOR USA
is committed to building lasting relationships with our
European counterparts,
and we are keeping a close eye on the developments surrounding
the Winter Olympic Games for 2026.
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Skijor USA
met with their "A" Team
in New York City
over the course of last week to
fine tune our Sponsorship Package
The result is a collaboration of six people with extensive backgrounds in
marketing, advertising, publishing, video editing and production,
computer technology, and music.
We are thrilled to have
Kristin Bollinger & Brian Giordano,
two very talented professional event organizers,
on our Sponsorship Committee.
GO GET 'EM TEAM!
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HALL OF FAME
The Hall of Fame Committee is also growing.
Tony Fox & Kitty LeDonne
have agreed to serve as committee members.
We feel very fortunate to be able to tap into and rely on
their knowledge and expertise!
Together they will work to preserve our sport's rich history by honoring
those who have made important contributions to skijoring.
A third committee member will be announced shortly.
We will begin to accept nominations for 2019 inductees in September.
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SUMMER ACHIEVEMENTS
RJ Klotz
Congratulations to RJ on his new job as
Director of Membership Sales at Big Sky Chamber of Commerce.
RJ has also worked with Heroes and Horses
and the U.S. Forest Service.
We wish him much success in his new position and acknowledge his service to veterans through equine assisted therapy
and fellow members of his community by fighting fires.
Maggie Theis
Congratulations to Maggie on her first official horse show
with "Freckle Face"
Maggie studied at Harvard Law School
is from Big Lake, Alaska and
now works at TNT Equine Services in Bozeman.
What impressive accomplishments for both members of our community!
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Speaking of fighting fires. . .
TOO HOT TO HANDLE UPDATE
Due to some much needed cloud cover and rain showers,
Colorado's wild fires are nearly contained or under control in populated areas.
Many members of our community have been sharing
photos of new born foals on Facebook,
and JJ Swirka, who was recently in the path of the Weston Pass Fire,
is among those now turning their attention to happier times.
A photo of her newest family addition is above.
Keep the posts coming! It is a great way to connect over the summer months.
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SJUSA Member Race Delegates
We will be holding our second Organizers' Summit
on Tuesday, July 17th
We are excited to keep building our TEAM SKIJOR USA
and to making 2019 an outstanding season!
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Corporate Council Meeting
The Corporate Council met last Tuesday, July 10th
and minutes have been posted on www.skijorusa.com
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Thank you for your ongoing votes of confidence!
We have reached 400 Organic Likes on our Facebook Page.
Keep 'em coming!
&
JOR ON!
Your Team at Skijor USA
Mark, Levi, Loren, Dana, Terry, Bruce, Clay and Jerry
&
Your SJUSA Member Race Delegates
Photos courtesy of JJ Swirka and Maggie Theis via Facebook