Hooves pounding, skis shooshing
and crowds cheering, this trifecta of excitement can only mean one
thing—ski-joring is on.
Catch the sights and sounds of 2008’s Wood River Extreme Ski
-Joring event Presidents’ Day weekend in the flats south of
Bellevue.
Ski-joring means a horse and rider pulling a skier through a
series of obstacles at breakneck speed. A freestyle snow machine
demonstration will be held adjacent to the course featuring X-game
competitors.
Races will be held at noon Saturday, February 23 and Sunday,
February 24, on Baseline Road, between Highway 75 and Gannett
Road, one half mile west of Price Lane.
An entry fee of $10 per car will be charged at the gate with
benefits going to the Kiwanis and the March of Dimes, and to Hunt
of a Lifetime, which provides a dream-come-true hunting trip for
kids with cancer.
Sign-up begins Friday, February 22 at Mama Inez restaurant on Main
Street in Bellevue. Saturday’s races conclude with an auction,
raffle and dance at The Mint on Main Street in Hailey starting at
7 p.m. Awards will be presented Sunday at Mahoney’s on Main Street
in Bellevue at 6:30 p.m.
Ski-joring, which resembles extreme water-skiing, is fast becoming one
of the nation’s hottest new winter sports as noted by such
publications as USA Today.
Competitors like extreme skier Glen Plake have taken the
challenge, and many of the pro-division contestants here are
making the circuit of races throughout the West, but no one with a
horse and rider, skis and skier and a desire will be denied for
the price of entry, which starts at $25. There are divisions for
men and women, girls and boys of all ages and levels.
A successful run of this race means crossing the finish line of
the 850-foot course with the skier having executed two to three
jumps ranging from three to six feet high and grabbing from three
to nine rings. The rider must also grab a ring. Points are
deducted for missed or dropped rings and missed jumps. Speed—which
often reaches 40 miles per hour—is a factor. Winners are based on
the combined overall score for both days. Pee-wees, juniors and
women are not required to hit the jumps. While most compete for
the thrills, winners will receive cash and other great prizes.
Ski-joring is born from a centuries-old custom revived from
Scandinavia and first seen in North America in the 1950s.
Laplanders used animal and skis as a way of travel during the
winters. The technique of ski-joring grew into sport from
challenges among ranch hands on their everyday work. Organizers
nationwide are pushing for inclusion of the sport in the X-games.
Bellevue’s family-friendly event will feature food booths and
music and additional entertainment. Tailgaters are welcome, as are
pets. Event sponsors urge owners to keep dogs on leashes for the
safety of all. Pooper scooping is much appreciated.
The event is sponsored by the Hailey Chamber of Commerce, Idaho
Lumber, Christopher & Co., Windy City, Webb, Budweiser, Les
Schwabb Tire, Wood River Inn, Sawtooth Tack and Feed, Clear Creek
Disposal, Sutton & Sons and many more.
For more information visit wresja.com or call Tyler Peterson at
208-720-0329.
|
--- Latest
News
