The SJUSA “Team” will be comprised of people who add value to the whole, each in a unique way. Each team member will be assigned an area on which to focus their efforts, such as sponsorships, photographic media, video media, print media, public relations, budgetary concerns, social media content, website maintenance, administrative duties, etc.
• Loren Zhimanskova, Chair
Loren noted the potential to bring skijoring to the forefront of the sporting community while volunteering and spectating at numerous skijoring events in the winter of 2012. She established Skijor International that year, building the first website with a comprehensive and encyclopedic presentation of the sport. Loren went on to organize the skijor race in Minturn, CO and played a role in promoting and supporting the event in Jackson Hole, WY. In a relatively short period of time, Loren has become well acquainted with the sport’s past and present participants, both skiers and equestrians alike, the organizers and dedicated operational staff. The relationships Loren has cultivated over the past seven years are a key component to the success of SKIJOR USA. She has relationships with organizers in Canada and Switzerland as well as at the USOC and IOC which will aid in our quest to be recognized as an international sport which may eventually play a role in the 2030 or 2034 Winter Olympic Games. She has established a Skijor Hall of Fame and is organizing an exhibit on the history of the sport for European and US ski museums.
Loren is a graduate of Yale University (B.A. ’86 History of Art) with a background in building and managing businesses as well as spearheading and executing sales and marketing plans for companies such as Ralph Lauren and Tiffany & Company. Her professional experience lies in the fields of fashion, photography and history of art as well as in marketing resorts focused on skiing, horseback riding, tennis and golf. For the past two years, she has worked for the USTA (United States Tennis Association) during the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York. Loren built and owned her own publishing business, is an author and experienced photo editor. Loren divides her time between the Rocky Mountain West and New York City. She is a skier, loves equestrian sport and is conversant in French, German and Italian.
Jerry has called Colorado home for most of him life where he grew up in a mining community. He started skijoring with his sister behind their old Jeep on tubes and skis and attended races in Leadville as a child. Jerry was a ski racer in junior and senior high school, and then worked as an assistant coach and part time ski instructor. He began skijoring competitively in1983 placing third in his first race in Leadville.
The desire to improve quickly took hold, and with mentors like local legends Joe Manly and Paul Copper, Jerry’s career took off. In 1988, he was awarded the Colorado all-around champion skier pulled by Tommy Hill riding a horse named ALPO. Jerry decided to compete in Red Lodge where he also captured the 1988 championship title. He earned this distinction again in 1991,1992 & 1993.
Jerry began his profession in 1981 in the underground hard rock mining industry. His career took him to Arizona, which made competing in skijoring events difficult during this period. But, in time, Jerry’s career led him to be hired on with the Federal Department of Labor / Mine Safety and Health Administration that through promotions, ultimately, led him back to Colorado.
Jerry has been a production miner, a shaft supervisor, and a manager of men and materials supplies into and out of the mine. Other experiences include drilling, blasting, coordination and facilitating Total Quality Management programs for the mine, co- chairman for the Joint Western Regional Safety Conference and Exhibition, field office supervisor for the Mine Safety and Health Adm. (MSHA), staff assistant to the District manager, and Accountability Specialist for the Agency as an internal reviewer of management oversight.
Jerry is a hunter with both archery and firearms, appreciates the fresh air of high country mornings and will always be from Leadville, regardless of where his address is. He appreciates that Leadville still has a Legends Division.
Dennis is an accomplished rider on the skijoring circuit and has been awarded Skijor USA’s Open Horse & Rider of the Year Award in 2022 with his horse, Jet as well as tying for Skijor USA’s Sport Horse & Rider of the Year Award in 2022 with his horse, Scooter. Dennis attended 9 events in 4 states in 2022 in which he pulled dozens of skiers to victory
showing that teamwork pays off with many combinations. Dennis embodies the true spirit of skijoring. Sportsmanship, agility, talented horsemanship and a determination to win.
Here is an excerpt from a recent interview published on December 30, 2022 in The Prairie News of Great Falls, Montana:
Dennis Alverson of Livingston, Mont., participates in the sport along with his daughters, Fiona and Phoebe. “For us, this is all about family time, 100 percent,” he said. “My daughters are competitive and they get that from their mom.” The Alverson girls stepped into the sport class last year and were competing against competitors that were 18 years and older, although the girls were only 12 and 14. “The girls are ripping skiers and got me into this eight years ago,” he said. “We do other horse activities in the summer, so this winter event really fills it in.”
Bruce has been competing as a skier for over 30 years and lives in Summit County, Colorado. He is a familiar face at the Leadville Skijoring Competition where he competes in the Open Division and still sails over the 6-8 foot jumps effortlessly. Bruce has helped to organize races and build tracks in nearby towns such as Minturn, CO.
Josh has been the Owner of Sage Peak Outfitters since 2018. He lives in Belgrade, MT with his wife Amanda. Josh has been an organizer of the Bozeman, MT skijoring race and currently competes on the circuit with his horses Elvis and Reb. Josh has secured many first place wins most recently with skier, Aaron Griffen. Josh is an excellent representative of the sport especially when it comes to being a team player who focuses on safety and fairness.
Here is an excerpt from a recent interview published on December 30, 2022 in The Prairie News of Great Falls, Montana:
Abbott said he has been skijoring since 2014 and really enjoys the teamwork opportunities the sport provides. "They say there are three heartbeats in skijoring – the rider, the horse, and the skier,” he explained. “I really enjoy working with the horses and giving them a stage to show their abilities. It’s also great to see how it all works together."
If you have been active in the skijoring community, do not compete, and feel you have specific talents to offer, please submit a brief statement.
If you organize a race or are planning a new race and would like to be considered as a Qualifying or Associate Race, please tell us!
If you are a competitor who no longer competes at the level of Sport or Open, but attends a few races a season as a Legends competitor, or if you have retired from skijoring completely, we would love to make use of your expertise and perspective! Please feel free to contact us.
If you are currently a competitor and have nominated for points, you may be considered within your region as a rider or skier representative. If you are interested in playing this leadership role, please let us know, and we will add your name and profile as well as a statement to a roster to be voted on once our regional members have been established.
The Advisory Committee is compromised five (5) members and is made up of a diverse group of people that have competition and race management history in the sport of Skijoring. Its purpose is to review and discuss major issues that arise, write an analysis and decision and make recommendations to the voting body. It will be comprised of five to seven individuals. To date the committee is comprised of the following people:
Josh Abbott, Clay Martin, Bruce Stott and Jerry Kissell.
The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee, which includes at least two other Corporate Council members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, creating an annual budget, and other fiscal duties as assigned by the Corporate Council.
The Sponsorship Committee shall be comprised of three (3) members. The Sponsorship Committee shall work under the direction of the Corporate Council to identify and reach out to potential national and regional sponsors for both monetary gifts and gifts in-kind. The committee may also reach out to individual donors and collect donations at race venues to support the organization and individual races.
The Equine Safety and Welfare Committee shall be comprised of three (3) members. Dana Stiles is Chair of this committee. The Equine Safety and Welfare Committee shall address issues pertaining to, but not limited to, optimal course design, proper equipment recommendations, training materials and videos, a future drug testing program and a fund to assist competitors with unexpected and exorbitant veterinary expenses.
The Social Outreach Committee shall be comprised of three (3) members. The Social Outreach Committee shall compile data such as email contact information and social media addresses. The committee shall set goals, brainstorm solutions and monitor progress by running reports and providing this information to the Corporate Council on a quarterly basis.
The Rules Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members. One delegate from each region shall be assigned; one Northern, one Central and one Southern, with one national rider liaison and one national skier liaison in addition. This committee will work closely with the Corporate Council and the Advisory Committee on issues pertaining to races, rules and major issues facing our community as we grow.
The Committee on Youth shall be comprised of three (3) members who will actively promote the inclusion of Youth Divisions at Alliance Races. This committee will be responsible for identifying families who wish to teach and train their children to skijor. The committee will also be responsible for awards and a year end Youth Competition.
This committee shall be made up of three (3) members who will actively identify archival and historic photographs and articles on skijoring. They will also be working to bring skijoring back into the Olympic spotlight at future Winter Games with our sights set on 2026.
This committee will serve to determine future inductees to the Hall of Fame, vote on those nominated and write bios.
Tony Fox and Kitty LeDonne
Bios to follow shortly
