GRIT & GLORY: SKIJOR CUP ROUND 3

Image credits:
Justin Treptow, In Focus Photography for Estes Park Skijor

January 29, 2026

~ IN THIS NEWSLETTER  ~

Up Next! 
Boulder & Bangor
~
Montana & Maine

New Stand-alone Events Excel
Estes Park and Bozeman
took the sport on a rocket ride this past weekend!

Vroom!  Vroom!  & Giddy Up!
The Skijor Cup point series
enters Round 3.
See the Top 10 in each updated division below.

The Maine Attraction
With ample snowfall this past week,
the Northeast is the place to be for snow-packed action!

Skiring & Skiskiring Across The Atlantic
Poland & Beyond
Exploring skijoring's historic roots.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~ 

Skijoring the Big Rock
is going to ROCK the skijoring world
with an increasingly popular event this weekend.

This small town of only 1.12 square miles,
and a mere 30 miles from the state capital of Helena,
welcomes over 150 teams and easily triples the town's population
of 1300 over the race weekend.

Boulder runs their main race in a 4D format,
meaning teams will all race on the same track and
be divided by time splits to determine winners by division.
The event also features Juniors, Beginners, Switcheroo and Snowboard.

The event is fueled in part by loyal sponsor, 
Willie's Distillery, 
of Ennis, Montana.
You must try their epic Honey Moonshine!
Drink it for warmth in the winter months,
or pour it over ice cream in the heat of summer!

This race is a favorite with the
Montana Wild Bunch,
and it gets TONS of support from other classic Montana races
like Whitefish and Red Lodge
at which you will see many of the same competitors.

Whitefish is February 14 & 15
and will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this season
&
Red Lodge is March 14 & 15
and is approaching it's 50th anniversary in a few years
having begun in 1980.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Read the latest article about Whitefish featured on the cover of 
City Lifestyle
in which organizer, Leah Mitchell, describes her event as 
"Montana Extreme Winter Games".  Leah says,
". . . what makes this event special isn't just the sport itself, it's everything surrounding it.
It’s the way Boy Scouts tend the fires  while the women's rugby
team throws penalty flags, and the way 4H volunteers manage parking
and the whole thing operates as a nonprofit, with proceeds circling back
through the community."

If you don't have time to read the full article,
(but we insist that you do!) here is another main takeaway:
"That's the thing about Montana events like this;
they exist because someone had a wild idea at a bar and because
a community decided it was worth showing up for, year after year,
regardless of the temperature or the wind or the odds."

https://citylifestyle.com/articles/three-heartbeats-in-sync

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Skijor Bangor
is part of an initiative started in 2019
to bring skijoring to the state of Maine, and it is going strong!
They have a wide track, plenty of snow and even more enthusiasm.

Bangor is backed by a local sponsorship that couldn't escape our notice:
Diversified Ink.
You have to check them out.
So, our question to all of you serious skijor fans and competitors out there is this,
Who's hiding a skijoring tattoo under all that fringe and fur?

https://skijorbangor.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For the complete 2026 race calendar go to:
https://www.skijorusa.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ THREE CHEERS ~

This past weekend marked
the 1st inaugural Gallatin Skijor Invitational
and
the 2nd annual Estes Park Skijor event.

While we planned to attend the Bozeman event,
airplane tickets in hand and bags, boots and coyote coat packed,
the Snowr'easter that blew into New York City sadly kept us at home.

Fortunately, both events were broadcast live,
via YouTube for Bozeman and Rocky Mountain Channel for Estes.

~ ABOVE & BEYOND ~

Ebbie Hansen, a former Open rider in skijoring,
provided much of the background commentary for Gallatin Valley's event.
She offered colorful narrative as the runs unfolded,
imparted her knowledge of the sport and its strategies, and
insight into the horses and athletes,
many of whom she either raced against or counted as teammates
back in the day when she competed.

Ebbie was the Skijor USA National Finals Champion
 and 1D Champion Rider in West Yellowstone, Montana in 2019.
The same year, CR Kunesh, Ebbie's son,
won the Skijor USA 2D Champion Rider buckle at the Finals.
CR complimented Ebbie's announcing by interviewing competitors
on the track after their runs
and his lovely wife, Aaris, interacted with fans in the stands.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Former bull rider, JW Kinder of Casper, Wyoming,
who has announced rodeos in 26 states,
and
Clair Mollé, a local celebrity broadcaster,
whose father founded Rocky Mountain Channel,
teamed up to announce Estes Park's skijoring weekend.

Their easy, light-hearted banter
entertained the crowd and the viewing audience
as nearly 200 teams charged through the snowy rodeo fairgrounds.
JW and Clair shared anecdotes
of last year's race and spoke of Colorado competitors
and sponsors who form the backbone of the event's success.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jerry Kissell of Littleton, Colorado,
and a long-time skijor competitor on skis
who still competes in his 60s,
stepped up BIG TIME for the second year in a row.
He took charge at the starting area, staging teams and giving them the all clear
while continuously assessing the track to keep it safe.
He was assisted by his wife, Sue, and friend, Janelle Urista of Meeker,
whose race was postponed until February 21st & 22nd of this year
due to lack of snow in January.

Jerry logged 49.5 miles of walking / running over a four day period
from gate setting to course construction to penalty reviews
according to his Garmin tracker.

We like to call Jerry the "bionic man of skijoring",
and he certainly lives up to his name!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ MAKING TRACKS ~

When natural snowfall did not cooperate,
both events deserve credit and high praise for making
enough snow to build innovative, safe tracks.

Bozeman's was straight as an arrow, 
having riders and skiers thread a needle in the mid-section before
entering the spectator zone where cheering crowds
filled a wide set of bleachers near the finish.
Horses raced at full speed, so skiers
were challenged to make quick turns around tightly set gates, 
then pop over a set of rollers and swoosh over one banked turn,
before attacking a slalom course in the final stretch.

Most spectators were young and enthusiastic,
dressed in practical Montana winter gear
in stark contrast to the Skijor Chic regalia we saw last weekend in Banff.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The track at Estes curved to the left at the start and then straightened out,
requiring most riders to pace their horses well.
Riders chose a line through the middle section for their skier,
before sending it into full throttle towards the finish.
The teams who took it "full send" throughout the run and kept it clean,
ended up winning the coveted buckles and prize money.

The crowd was at capacity lining every inch of the track
three, four, five deep and spilling out into the heated Pavilion where
monitors were set up among multiple vendors.
Crowds approached 10,000!

Estes Park was a festival atmosphere
appropriately timed since the National Western Stock Show is in session
in Denver this time of year as well.

Jed Moore is a veteran of the Cowboy Downhill, an event in Steamboat Springs
held in conjunction with the Denver rodeo in which cowboys test their skills
not on bareback or on bulls but on skis.
He has raced on 27 occasions and won 13 times.  
This year he led the day in the “Legends and Friends” category with a time of 25.62 seconds.

Jed also competed in Estes Park Skijor finishing 2nd in the Open Overall
on his horse, Chugg, and pulling skier Lane Feldeisen.
Not surprisingly, they call their team Fast Lane.

As folks in Estes like to say, SKI HAW! ! !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ WEEKEND WINNERS ~

Let's look at the Top 3 Overall Champions in each division.

Gallatin Skijor Invitational

Overall Pro (Expert)

1st: 14.932 + 15.731 = 30.663
Richard Weber / Lick 'em for Luck / Jim Ryan
(pronounced "Wee-ber" for anyone listening to the broadcast) Wink. . .

2nd: 15.605 + 15.739 = 31.344 
Richard Weber / Franks & Beans / Jim Ryan

3rd: 15.655 + 15.706 = 31.361 
Dennis Alverson / Jet Fuel Cowboy / Colin Cook

Overall Open (Advanced)

1st: 16.412 + 15.961 = 32.373 
Monica Plecker / Moose Knuckle / Max McKenzie

2nd: 16.118 + 16.393 = 32.511 
Melissa Ostrander / War Pony / Joe Prescott

3rd: 16.422 + 16.813 = 33.235
Kristen Beck / Cheddar Bob / Max McKenzie

Overall Sport (Intermediate)

1st: 16.892 + 17.229 = 34.121 
Colin Cook / Barn / Malcolm Seamans

2nd: 16.889 + 17.549 = 34.438 
Kimber Cook / Spanky / Malcolm Seamans

3rd: 17.046 + 18.142 = 35.188 
Phoebe Alverson / Ozzie / Malcolm Seamans

Overall Switcheroo (Just Crazy Talent)

1st: 19.413 + 17.384 = 36.797 
RJ Klotz / Barn / Colin Cook

2nd: 22.075 + 22.648 = 44.723
Phoebe Alverson / Raven / Dennis Alverson

3rd: 25.343 + 1:07.751 = 1:33.094
Bryson Threatt / Tiger / Bryan Coll

We are very sorry to hear of Bryan Coll's injury to his tibial plateau.
Sadly, this has forced him to retire for the season.

For complete Gallatin Skijor race results go to:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582582731330

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Estes Park Skijor

Overall Open (Advanced)

1st: 14.73 + 13.8 = 28.53 
Rosie Rogers / Seven / Lane Feldeisen

2nd: 15.33 + 14.94 = 30.27
Jed Moore / Chugg / Lane Feldeisen

3rd: 15.55 + 15.43 = 30.98
Tate Rogers / Chief / Lane Feleisen

Overall Sport (Intermediate)

1st: 16.14 + 14.9 = 31.04
Patrick Smith / Frankie Moon / Brian Erhart

2nd: 16.3 + 15.18 = 31.48
Patrick Smith / Lady Porsche / Brian Erhart

3rd: 16.13 + 15.58 = 31.710
Skylar Ball / Tesla / Caroline Bonin

Overall Snowboard

1st: 18.63 + 18.13 = 36.76
Hugh Groves / Modoc / Charlie Tyler

2nd: 21.6 + 19.55 = 41.15
Juan Santana / Horse / John Grotenhuis

3rd: 26.24 + 34.08 = 60.32 
Juan Santana / Chamoy / Brandon Bennett

Overall Novice

1st: 20.36 + 16.6 = 36.96 
Kylie Hoyt / Ruskie / Jonathan Pomrenke

2nd: 24.74 + 17.11= 41.85 
Stuart Kennedy / Buster / Paul Wilcock

3rd: 18.92 + 23.63 = 42.55 
Kylie Hoyt / Ruskie / Austin Gardner

For complete Estes Park Skijor race results go to:

https://my.raceresult.com/368850/

~ A SENTIMENTAL SIDE NOTE ~

Megan Smith rode Ruskie on Friday night in Novice
placing 1st and 3rd with skiers Austin Gardner and Jonathan Pomrenke,
but then sustained a debilitating injury to her wrist after the finish.

Ruskie and the same two skiers went on to win 1st and 3rd
in the Novice Overall with rider Kylie Hoyt,
a friend of the Smiths, who agreed to substitute for Megan
during Sunday's race.

Since Kylie is 12 years old, she was also riding in Youth.

When it came time for the Novice buckle presentation on Sunday night,
Kylie decided, of her own accord, to present her buckle to Megan.
Word has it there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Thank you, Kylie, for showing truly outstanding character.

To add to the celebration, Megan's husband,
Patrick Smith,
took home the Overall Sport buckle
and leads the Skijor Cup in Sport Division as rider.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ HOT SHOTS! ~

We would like to acknowledge our youthful competitors
in the Junior Division in Estes Park.

On Sunday Olivia pulled Rhys Moore
to victory riding Lemon with an impressive time of 24.02 clean! 
Kiley Hoyt and Evelyn Gardner weren't far behind
with Ruskie clocking a 24.27, but they had one 5 second penalty.
On Saturday, Makenzie and Conrad Zehr had the fastest time
and only clean run with Shifty and a 28.6.

Here are the top 3 finishers on Saturday & Sunday.

Junior Riders

Mackenzie
Harper 
Grace

Olivia
Kiley Hoyt
Delaney Garvin

Junior Skiers

Conrad Zehr
Hadley Ekeren
Keegan Brown

Rhys Moore
Evelyn Gardner
Hera Wharton

Junior Horses

Shifty
Serious
Tacoda

Lemon
Ruskie

For complete and official results
go to:

https://my.raceresult.com/368850/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ LET'S GET TO THE POINT(S)! ~

Here are the top 10 in each updated division.

LEADERBOARD

PRO / EXPERT

RIDERS
Michael Miller 77.5
Richard Weber 40.34
Katherine Licht 20.39
Dennis Alverson 15.65
Harlee Manning 12.5
Trae McInroe 2.03

SKIERS
KJ Savaria 62.5
Jim Ryan 42.16
Jack Dale 25
Colin Cook 12.48
Ty Free 9.15
Cody Smith 8.27
John Anderson 5

HORSES
Lick em for Luck 5.59
Babes Last Rascal 3.43
Franks & Beans 3.38
Jet Fuel Cowboy 2.78
Cocaine Bear 0.71
Yonnis 0.45

OPEN / ADVANCED

RIDERS
Rosie Rogers 42.15+
Richard Weber 37.8
Jed Moore 21.3+
Dennis Alverson 23.75
Monica Plecker 15.71
Melissa Ostrander 11.84
Tate Rogers 7.5
Sarah Smedsrud 7
Kristen Beck 6.27
Derrick Pawlikowski 3.87

SKIERS
Lane Feldeisen 68.6+
Jim Ryan 54.05
Max McKenzie 25.85
Joe Prescott 11.84
Tyler Smedsrud 8.65
Tyler McKnight 7.5
Jake Van Deursen 4.82
Jack Plantz 3.8+
David Rizzolo 1.95
John Anderson 1.05

HORSES

Lick em for Luck 10.7
Cocaine Bear 8.35
Seven 6.1
Moose Knuckle 3.49
War Pony 2.63
Franks & Beans 2.6
Three 2.5
Cheddar Bob 1.39
Chugg 1.3
Jackson 0.86

SPORT / INTERMEDIATE

RIDERS
Patrick Smith 37.59
Cole Youren 37.5
Kimber Cook 17.66
Kristen Beck 12.55
Tate Rogers 8.5
Janelle Urista 6.6
Skylar Ball 6.25+
Zoe Ziebarth 6.25
Jed Moore 1.95

SKIERS
Brian Erhart 38.54
Levi Johnson 37.5
Malcolm Seamans 31.10
Madison Ostergren 17.73
Gavin Ruile 6.25
Caroline Bonin 6.25+
Sherwood Smith 5.95
Kolby Ward 4.95
Lang Schuler 1.6

HORSES
Cheddar Bob 4.4
Badger 2.98
Chief 2.66
Zeva 2.3
Barn 2.2
Spanky 1.95
Ozzie 1.25
Lady Porsche 1.05
Zombie 0.7
Ari 0.3

SNOWBOARD

RIDERS
Jusin Bailey 13
Hugh Groves 10
Juan Santana 10
TJ Simmons 8.85
Brian Nygard 8.15
Tamara Campbell 7.88
Jennifer Butler 5.91
Krista Menzel 4.3
Courtney Anderson 2.8
Cyndel Liebel 2.65

BOARDERS
Charlie Tyler 24.6
Jakobe Chacon 13.75
Steve Noyes 12.86
Kevin Wilder 11.15
James Mcgraw 7.88
John Grotenhuis 6.5
Brandon Bennett 3.5
Dan Currie 1.43
Kalei Pitcher 1.15
Derek Schreiner 0.76

HORSES
Jezabel 4.6
Turbo 3.1
Nooney 2.9
Shaw 1.75
EZ 1.4
Junior 1.31
Bird 0.8
Morty 0.79
Mousse 0.55
Jolo 0.48

SWITCHEROO / TWISTED SWITCH

RIDER / SKIER
Dennis Alverson 10
Phoebe Alverson 10
Colin Cook 6.66
RJ Klotz 6.66
Joey Lane 4.05
Steve Eytel 4.05
Ryan del Rio 3.35
Leroy Maendel 3.35
Tyler Smedsrud 2.5
Richard Weber 2.5

HORSE
Raven 3
Roy 1.65
Barn 1.48
Monte 1.4
Sugar 0.5
Roy (2) 0.35
Jackson 0.30
Tiger 0.30
Sherman 0.20
Thunder Lips 0.12

Note:
We are waiting on Day Money payouts for Estes Park.
Only 1st in Sport has been added thus far,
and we have placed "+" signs next to names that will gain points
once they have been calculated.

We have not listed Novice or Womens
since Novice was not run this past weekend in Bozeman,
and it was not a paid division in Estes Park.
Estes Park did not pay horses so horses did not earn points there.
There was no Womens Division at either race so points remain the same.
Youth is not a paid division so no official point tally is possible.

For up to date rankings, go to https://www.skijorcup.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ PRO or CON ~

We have decided to include a "pro" or Expert Division
since some races have decided to divide the "Open" or Advanced
field into two categories.
Our point system is simply true to 2026 data,
and we feel this is the most honest representation of the sport one can offer
as it currently stands.

Still, this remains a much debated topic
as expressed in our Skijor USA April 2025 survey.

53% said there should NOT be a "pro" division above Open.
33% said there SHOULD be a "pro" division above Open.

We looked into the comments from those 14% not represented
in the strictly Yes/No category and found:

Some did not answer or said I don't know / I have to think on it.

Anonymous: 

                          No. Only because there will be more $$ going to that division and                         

the lower divisions won't be incentivized to compete.
There needs to be more payout places at the lower divisions.

Anonymous: 
When the sport matures.

Anonymous: 
Open is the Pro Division

Rider from Colorado:
No, I think there should be more oversight to keep Open skiers
out of Sport through a 3D or 4D format depending on entries.

Rider/Skier Montana
Yes.  Experience. Winnings.

Rider from Idaho:
Yes OTTBs (off the track thoroughbred) should be in their own class.

We look forward to further discussion on this topic,
and plan to do another survey at the end of this season.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ THE MAINE ATTRACTION ~

While the Rocky Mountain west is praying for snow,
the Northeast is getting pummeled.

As noted above,
Bangor, Maine has a skijoring event this weekend
on Saturday, January 31st
at the Hollywood Casino Raceway.
They run two divisions, "Pro" and "Novice", with just over 20 teams in each.
Bangor received 15" of fresh snow this past weekend,
and this "Grit & Glory" event kicks off the first of three in Maine
comprising the Triple Crown of Skijoring.

https://skijorbangor.com/

Topsham received 15" which sets them up for success next
Saturday, February 7th.
This is their 6th annual event
"Where Horsepower Meets Hangtime".
Topsham has a Pro/Open, Sport, Novice, Junior and Miniature Horse Division.
They are also introducing a Snowboard Division!
With a new snowcat groomer, they anticipate their track will be better than ever.

https://skijortopsham.com/

Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
got 22" over the past weekend, and there is more on the way!
Skijor Galore is on Sunday, February 15th.
Athletes must raise at least $100 to participate, no prior skijor experience is required. 
Belt buckles are awarded to the most money raised,
the fastest skier and rider, the best costumes, and the most pulls!
Sounds like a GREAT time!

https://www.waterville.com/event-calendar/2026-skijor-galore

Skijoring in Skowhegan
on Saturday, February 21st 
during the Somerset Snowfest
will welcome Pro, Novice and Snowboard Divisons,
and they will be divided by age groups: 10-17 and 18 and older.
Baxter Brewing Company is a main sponsor.
They describe themselves as The Spirit of Maine in a can.
"Brewed for the bold, canned for the adventure,
Baxter beer is made for those who live life on their own terms."

https://somersetsnowfest.org/skijor-skowhegan/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


~ SKIJOR EUROPEAN SYTLE ~

As we all anticipate the Opening Ceremony of
the XXV or 25th Winter Olympic Games
in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo
on February 6th,
skijoring remains very active in at least 6 European countries.

There is plenty of snow in Poland,
and the Parada Gazdowska and Kumoterki
got off to a great start in Poronin this past January 26th.

In Poland, there are two disciplines of skijoring
one with a rider and one without,
hence the two spellings, skiring and skiskiring.
The skills of the Highlanders in the Tatra Mountain region
are exceptional as both equestrians and alpine skiers,
and the traditional dress of the participants is eye-catching and beautiful.

There are traditionally 6 events on the Kumoterki circuit.
The next is in Ludzmierz on February 1st.
The series always ends in Zakopane,
the largest venue, being a resort town, on March 1st.

For EXTRAORDINARY photography,
visit https://www.facebook.com/KumoterkiPL.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Skijor racing at White Turf,
the longest running skijoring event in the world since 1907,
begins on February 8th in Saint Moritz, Switzerland.

While Norway and Sweden predated equine skijoring in Switzerland,
Saint Moritz is significant in the sport's emergence
due to its inclusion in the 1928 St. Moritz Winter Olympic Games
by the insistence of one man, Baron de Coubertin,
who was also responsible for its inclusion as a demonstration
in Chamonix, France in 1924.
This event was not "Olympic" at the time,
but given its status post hoc or after the event.

https://www.whiteturf.ch/

For up to date information on international events, go to:
https://www.skijorinternational.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ SKIJOR SNOW WOES ~

Bear Lake, Utah
has cancelled their event
due to lack of snow.

Steele Ranch, Wyoming
in Pinedale,
has cancelled their February event,
but looks forward to their March event on
March 14th & 15th.
John Hyde, the organizer, is also putting on the race in 
Thayne, Wyoming
on February 28th & March 1st.

Registration is still open, but spots are filling fast!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554679132934

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ IN THE NEWS ~

Skijoring was featured in the BBC news!

Skijoring is becoming a destination travel experience!
In the article,
Jim Ryan, Madison Ostergren and Richard Weber
are quoted and the Ridgway race mentioned.
It closes with the observation:
"In a state where skiing increasingly funnels visitors into a handful of expensive resorts,
skijoring is a reminder that Colorado's winter culture has
always lived well beyond the lift lines." 

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260121-skijoring-colorados-wildest-winter-sport

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For a colorful and informative report on the Banff SnowDays event,
check out this story from North Shore News!

In it, skier, Cole Carey, is interviewed 
alongside Sam Mitchell, rider and organizer.
Mention is made of skijoring being an injury-prone sport for
skiers and riders alike, so it is not for the faint of heart.
A few years ago, Cole sustained a crash causing a concussion 
and literally took it on the chin when his knee found this unfortunate target.

A bit of history is explored noting that
black and white photos from the early 1900s show
"a lone skier follows tandem behind a horse" on Lynx Street,
and another with two skiers being dragged side-by-side in the snowy
slipstreams of two sprinting horses" on the Bow River.

https://www.nsnews.com/the-mix/skijoring-a-sport-youve-likely-never-heard-of-pushed-a-resort-town-to-its-limit-11785273

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Skijoring was featured in an episode of Montana Outdoor Podcast
in which Jennifer Butler is interviewed at length
calling skijoring "Montana's Winter Rodeo".
She speaks of her son,
David Rizzolo,
whom she jokingly says she "bred so she would have someone to pull behind her".

Jennifer makes a comparison to water skiing for those thinking of trying it
and speaks of developing effective rope management skills
to be successful and the skier's added challenge of dealing with slack.  

She comments on the "three heart beat rule", 
meaning you only get one chance as a team once a day,
unless, like Jennifer, she has a teammate who both boards and skis!

She comments on how race organizers have learned a lot
as now the sport is getting faster and more technical meaning the risk of injury can increase.
She then gives credit to the amazing first responders and veterinarians 
that support the races like her own in Whitefish, Montana.

Spectator management, safer run outs, better footing for the horse,
options for shoeing and improved course maintenance are
all topics she says are at the top of everyone's list.
She also touches on growing pains at the end
like more intense registration and how to get involved as a newcomer to the sport.

Jen is a great spokesperson for skijoring,
which she refers to as a "family" even though it is, ultimately, a competition.
She speaks on how it supports the vital infrastructure of small communities in
both non-profit and local business roles, and then
emphasizes the need (and heartfelt appreciation) for volunteers.

In the end, she affectionately recalls dragging a Today Show host around 
behind her buckskin Missouri Fox Trotter pony in Lincoln, Montana.
I was there, Jen!  I remember it well!

THANK YOU, Jen, for being a great ambassador for the sport!

To hear all of this in Jen's own words, we encourage you to click below:

https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2026/01/the-evolution-of-skijoring-from-survival-to-sport/

Stay tuned for more upcoming interviews and articles!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

JOR ON! 

Loren Zhimanskova,
Founder, Skijor USA & Skijor International