DON’T DILLY DALLY IN 2026
December 30, 2025
~ NEW YEAR'S DAY REG-O-LUTIONS ~
First and foremost,
let's resolve to keep our equine athletes
safe in 2026.
~ STAY ON TRACK ~
Maintain safe, consistent snow depths.
Address problem areas immediately and have a plan
in place to correct icy, muddy or slippery patches.
Delay or cancel the race if necessary.
Maintain safe conditions on the run out as well,
and HAVE a run out that MAKES SENSE!
No barriers or walls at the end.
Anything less than one third of the track distance
is asking for trouble, and there needs to
be even more space for those
horses that may need to keep going for a while,
God bless their free-spirited souls.
If you have a Novice division and are inviting
newcomers to skijoring then their horses
need to be accommodated as well.
Mark tracks and jumps clearly
with fencing and paint
to give riders and horses visual guidelines.
This is for the safety of competitors and spectators.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ PRACTICE SAFE "R-X"! ~
Meet standards for COGGINS testing.
Stay abreast of Equine Herpes Virus reports.
There are currently 47 cases in the US
and Canadian provinces.
Assess your horse for any symptoms.
Take extra care trailering on snowy roads.
Leave plenty of time.
Maintain your truck and trailer.
Check your hitch, carry chains, monitor road closures and reports,
GO SLOW and have a PLAN B
should you get stuck or need to take a detour!
On-site veterinarian to be CONFIRMED by competitors.
(We have seen races not uphold promises.)
On-call doesn't count.
Ensure ample water supply at events.
Arrange for horse boarding in advance or
bring your own panels and hay/feed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ OVERSERVICE POLICIES ~
DO NOT exceed limits on how many times your horse runs
in a given day.
Two "all out" runs plus one "geared down" run
in Junior or Free Style/Slope Side is the new norm,
but some races still limit runs to 2 per day per horse.
Check individual race rules.
If this rule is broken, organizers should DQ
the rider and strip away prizes.
We highly recommend officials marking horses
since some competitors (yes, it happens!) sneak in extra runs
entering multiple divisions under different horse names.
This is poor sportsmanship and completely unfair.
Mandatory rigging and rope inspections
as well as on-site vet checks
should be respected and observed.
If you have a Sparby Rule
please enforce it!
Typically a rider is given 2-4 minutes to get his/her horse
out of the gate safely, with one "roll" and
second try before the team is DQd.
Horses that are problematic at the start
can be dangerous to volunteers, officials and spectators
not to mention their riders.
It also delays the race when horses will not stage repeatedly,
and this effects everyone down the line.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Events have rules regarding intoxication.
Please respect them,
and organizers, please enforce them.
Driving, riding, skiing or boarding
while drunk or high
puts humans and horses at risk and
endangers the overall reputation and future of the sport.
Save your indulgences for after
you are finished for the day.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ HOOF IT! ~
Shoe your horse depending on conditions and course design.
Use snow rims or popper pads.
Use bell boots.
If you run your horse barefoot assess course conditions,
but also be aware of barn and parking lot hazards.
Borium, ice nails, carbide tips, aluminum or cleats are optional.
A revolutionary shoe using infused carbite crystals
which wears evenly, lasts longer and offers more
grip both on and off the track
is now available.
(See below for details.)
Be aware of significant altitude and temperature changes.
Running horses below a certain temperature
can cause lung issues or EIPH.
Some competitors offer oxygen to their horses
delivered through feed bags.
Here is a recent video on EHV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hu7erffbkA
And here is a website to help monitor current conditions:
https://www.avma.org/news/60-equine-herpesvirus-cases-confirmed-multistate-outbreak
For horseshoes check out this unique design
using carbite crystals and a computerized welding process
which your local farrier cannot achieve using
traditional materials and methods.
These shoes provide more grip, wear more evenly
and will last much longer.
Available in La Croix or Kerckaert and in multiple sizes.
Affordable.
https://www.skijor.com/tackandmore
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ DON'T DALLY ~
Most races give the rider the option to dally
their rope on the saddle horn. but
Skijor Alberta, for one, has made an exception
according to their Facebook post,
and will not allow riders to dally.
For the safety of the horse, rider and skier.
we also recommend that the rope be attached to the saddle
by a rigging that attaches to the "D" rings and runs under the pads.
A carabiner is attached near the cantle for an easy release.
Most rules dictate that this attachment
not exceed 4" or 6" depending on the race
and be non-elastic.
According to a Facebook post 10 years ago:
"Running a nylon rope through the front rigging dee and
behind the cantle helps to evenly distribute that initial jerk
out of the start gate and prevents the rope from
crossing over the rider on a straight course (as opposed to
dallying off the saddle horn, which can be
preferable on a round course)."
There are very few round or "J" courses
left on the circuit, so, one could argue that dallying has become
a thing of the past.
Here is a video from Ebbie Hansen:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1422293494564336
And another from our friends in Maine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_8Re009SXY
Currently,
San Juan, Pagosa, Estes Park, Teton, Red River,
Gallatin Valley and Wood River allow either
a horn or cantle attachment.
Officials reserve the right to inspect equipment
for compliance and safety.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ UPDATE ON REGISTRATONS ~
Several events are opening registrations
on NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Extreme Events MN
Skijoring at Canterbury Park
in Shakopee, MN
on February 21st & 22nd
is FIRST on the New Year's "Reg-olutions" list!
Registration opens Jan 1, 2026.
This event has set itself apart from the beginning
running horses and skiers,
SIDE BY SIDE on a full-scale race track
and featuring a tall GAP JUMP!
While being consistent and safe.
it continues to push the envelope by
featuring a freestyle, BIG AIR competition.
Filling stadium seating to a capacity of 10,000+,
(many of the seats are even heated!)
this event NEEDS to be on everyone's bucket list
to attend or compete in someday.
Competitors can enter for one or two days,
but only those who enter both days
can win a buckle!
To register, click here on Jan 1st:
https://www.rodeoticket.com/rodeos/extreme-horse-skijoring/2026/register
For spectator tickets,
discounted rates and free beanies are
available on a limited basis.
So go to the link below NOW!
https://tickets.canterburypark.com/p/ticketed-event-pages/horse-skijoring
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Skijoring The Big Rock
in Boulder, MT
on Jan 31st & Feb 1st
will also open for registration on
New Year's Day at 8 AM.
Set you alarm NOW!
Be ready to shake off that hangover,
or better yet keep partying with friends
through the night and don't sleep until you have
teamed up and registered at this
INCREASINGLY popular event.
Boulder will have online registration
from 8 am to 8 pm on Jan 1st,
and subsequent days until caps are met.
It will go to a lottery system if capped amounts are exceeded.
If one of you teams made the list, then
all of your teams will make it.
Notifications will be announced daily.
For now, there is only a Facebook page
for the event, so stay tuned for registration details.
https://www.facebook.com/Skijoringthebigrock/
We wish Boulder the best of luck with their fundraiser
which was held on December 27th.
It is called the Ironbar Challenge
featuring 5 events:
Golf, Beer Bazooka, 4 Balls Bowling,
Mini Cornhole and Crooked Chair Darts.
Of course, buckles were awarded.
(Will they be made from melted down beer caps?)
It was hosted by Dave's 32oz Bar.
This is SO CLASSIC skijor!
Thank you, Boulder, MT,
for keeping the FUN SIDE of skijoring alive!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Registration for
Saratoga Skijoring
opens on January 3rd.
This is Saratoga's 10th annual event!
More power to these tough Wyoming cowboys and skiers
who build a great course regardless of snow conditions
and hold their event regardless of wind and weather.
This is truly another BUCKET LIST event.
If you haven't attended,
Saratoga is one of the best small towns with
AMAZING hotels, restaurants, bars and shops to explore.
It also has some of THE BEST hot springs
free to the public (the HOBO hot springs)
and private (Saratoga Hot Springs Resort).
Saratoga is within driving distance from Denver
and many Colorado ski resorts
as well as from many other Wyoming towns.
For visitors's information, click beow:
https://www.saratogaskijoring.com/visitors
Saratoga runs an Open Class, a Sport 2D,
a Novice/Exhibition and a Juniors
for kids under the age of 14.
Mark your calendars and register here:
https://www.saratogaskijoring.com/registration
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Whitefish Skijorng
sent out invitations around Christmas
so we hope you checked under your tree
and in your stockings!
The registration window will be
Jan 1st - 5th
for all divisions.
Confirmation emails will be sent Jan 7th.
Payment deadline is Jan 9th.
Public Registration Request Window
is Jan 7th - 8th
for all divisions.
Entries are not guaranteed.
Confirmation emails will be sent Jan 12th.
Payment must be made by Jan 14th.
If you do not receive an email, you will be placed on
a waiting list.
Every individual team member MUST have an account
before becoming part of a registered team.
Click here to open an account:
https://competitors.whitefishskijoring.org/create-account
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Red River Skijoring
registration is open for business and
is offering free t-shirts to the first 50 registrants
who mail in or use Venmo to pre-pay.
These folks have the best chance of getting a shirt.
Competitors can also pay in person
on Friday night, January 30th at the pre-event party,
or in cash the morning of the event.
Saturday, January 31st.
Entry fees are VERY affordable!
Open rider/skier $60
Sport rider/skier $40
Novice/Snowmobile $20
each price is per run set/per day
Competitors must pre-register.
Juniors are FREE.
On-site registration is available for $40
for Novice/Snowmobile only.
Red River Stables
is offering FREE boarding.
Call Stephanie at (559) 741-5643.
Once they are full, please bring your own panels.
https://www.redriverskijoring.org/registration
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCKSKIN ~
Skijoring is going strong
in the Northeast with
more events being planned for 2027.
This season ambitious riders and skiers are teaming up
on the Skijor Maine Facebook Page!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/404226523598590
Registration is open for
Bangor Skijor
but closes on January 17th!
The race is scheduled for January 31st.
They are offering Pro and Novice Divisions.
The cost is only $80 per team to enter.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845ABAE2CA5FCC34-60820375-skijor#/
Topsham Fair
is also accepting registrations.
The race is on February 7th.
Pro, Novice, Junior and Snowboard Divisions are available.
Team registrations cost $60.
https://www.topshamfair.org/event/equine-skijoring-2026/
Skijor Skowhegan
is open for business with a registration page.
This race is on February 21st.
Pro, Novice and Snowboard are available
with Juniors (ages 10-17) separated into their own division.
The fee is $80 per team.
https://www.giveffect.com/campaigns/42848-skijor-skowhegan-2026/join
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ TO PRO OR NOT TO PRO ~
It looks like Gallatin Skijor
is full for Open, Sport and Snowboard Divisions,
but spots in
Women's, Switcharoo, Novice, Junior and Big Air
remain open despite a "rocky" start.
We are very curious to see how "Pro" teams
compare to "Open" teams
since Open is being paid half in prize money,
yet, there is no distinction in skill level.
Both state:
"Teams are considered to be the highest-skilled competitors with the fastest and most skilled horses.
Skiers are limited to four entries, and horses to two entries."
It seems the only distinction is "by invitation"
A $50 entry fee hike is added on top of the hefty $200 Open fee
on top of a $25 mandatory membership fee.
https://gallatinskijor.com/competitors
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ LOOKING AHEAD ~
Registrations open for
Teton Skijor, Driggs, ID, January 5th
Grand Lake, CO, January 13th
Silverton, CO, January 25th
Red Lodge, MT, TBD
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS WINTER CARNIVAL
Please note that Steamboat Springs, Colorado
does not host a traditional skijoring race
though they hold the distinction
of being the OLDEST skijoring venue
in the Western United States!
This will be their 113th year.
Skijoring is on Saturday, February 7th.
Registration is open to children
Ages 6 - 14 ONLY.
They are pulled down Lincoln Avenue
by a group of local cowboys and cowgirls.
Ribbons are awarded
in the spirt of "everyone is a winner"!
Contact the Steamboat Winter Sports Club
for details.
https://www.sswsc.org/events/winter-carnival
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ CLINICS ~
Albertans are leading the charge.
Mountain View Skijor,
affiliated with Extreme Skijoring Alberta,
is planning to organize clinics in central Alberta
NW of Calgary and SW of Red Deer.
Stay tuned for more information,
or go to their Facebook page for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/mountainviewskijor/
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Our friends in Maine
are also keen on setting up practice runs,
and many of these develop spontaneously between
teammates in backyard pastures or
unplowed dirt roads.
Check out this local video:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1338884403599299
Since Bangor runs its race on a
harness racing track that is active year-round
(with the exception of January when the skijor race is run),
practice runs are not possible at the venue itself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ SKI DRIVING ~
If you want to try skijoring behind your horse on skis
rather than in a saddle,
check out
https://www.skidriver.com/
where you can explore possibilities to
train in Minnesota
and purchase equipment to get started!
This form of skijoring is sure to make a comeback!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ HAPPY NEW YEAR, SKIJOR FAMILY ~
We are so very grateful for all of the times we have shared
and the friendships that have been formed.
God Bless and God Speed in 2026!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
JOR ON!
Loren Zhimanskova,
Founder, Skijor USA & Skijor International