XX-treme Equines!
BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL
“For instant happy, just add horse.”
Love horses? Who doesn’t? Throw in some skis and you have an ancient way to get people on the edge of their seats: Skijoring. What began as a mode of transportation has become a sport, and if you live in Blaine County, you’re in for a treat as Belllevue’s very own are putting on a skijoring event. Courtesy of Carl Browning’s beautiful property in the south county, you can indulge in extreme equine escapades on February 17 and 18.
Wait, So What In The Heck is Skijoring?
Skijoring dates back to at least the early 1900s in Europe, and further to the 13th century in China, where a person or persons, on skis, got towed by horse, reindeer, or even dogs. Logic would tell us that as long as people had skis and snow, they trained animals to help them traverse their wintery landscapes. “There is evidence that people during the Yuan and Ming dynasties of China used dogs to pull them on skis, while the Sami people, who are indigenous to Nordic countries, are known to harness reindeer to pull them across snow-covered landscapes.” (advnture.com)
Skijoring via reindeer made its official debut as a sport at the 1901 Nordic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, then showing itself in the U.S. in 1915, only to appear as a pastime in Hanover, New Hampshire, at the Dartmouth Winter Carnival of 1916. On American land, horses reign supreme and so it was all equine.
Enter the Wood River Extreme Skijoring Association (WRESJA)
The WRESJA holds the torch in Sun Valley for this unique sport, led by president Bill Bobbitt, vice president Josh Glick, and secretary/treasurer Michelle Bobbitt. The races are multi-faceted for teams or solo participants with seven divisions, each having its own criteria of speed and skill level: Open Class (Pro), Sport Class (Amateur), Novice Locals Class (Beginner). They offer a Women’s Division for, you guessed it, WOMEN ONLY; a Snowboarders Division, Couples Divisions and three Youth Divisions: Pee-Wee (5-10) Junior (11-14) and Intermediate (15-18), where any under-18 will need a parent signature to sign up.
These are registered races with associated fees for participation. All entry fees are under $200 and fairly reasonable considering there are daily “money bags” to be won as well as a $10,000 winner’s purse. The prizes are split between divisions for the teams with the winners taking home buckles, jackets and a few thousand dollars each. From as early as 1949 in Leadville, Colorado, to Utah, Minnesota, and even a query into the WRESJA event last year from Wisconsin, teams move from state to state, attending races as the sport has grown to resemble the finals in the NBA. After the WRESJA event, the winners will advance to The Grand Showdown in Teton Valley, Idaho, and Big Day Skijoring in Big Sky, Montana.
So what exactly does a winning race look like?
“A successful run of this race means crossing the finish line of the 600-900-foot course with the skier having executed one to three jumps ranging from 3 to 6 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. All skiers are required to hit the jumps. Some organizations run an oval track, which presents a whole new twist to the already wild race. While most compete for the thrills, winners will receive cash and other great prizes.” (woodriveresja.com)
Skijoring is firmly in the realm of a team sport as, even when the skier is solo, the rider is expected to grab rings like Sonic the Hedgehog in ‘91 and the horse as a team member is no small detail. Emphasis must be duly placed on the qualities of each horse that is brought into this unique realm. The horses are bred and bought for speed and agility and then deftly groomed for the twisting, jumping, laser focus of the skijoring competition where no two courses have ever been the same. It’s 15 seconds of heart-pounding, human/animal teamwork and extraordinary novelty.
As with any extreme sport, especially of the cold-weather variety, there are risks: horses can buck or slip, riders or skiers could fall and while that hasn’t happened often, the last two years have seen injuries. Mindset is everything and this year hopes are high that teams finish safely.
With nearly 1000 attendees each year — and on each day! — the sport draws an enthusiastic crowd of supporters who are in the know and primed for a full-tilt boogie of thrills. Quite unique — skijoring could very well be the coolest thing you’ve seen in a while, and it’s in Bellevue! And again, make no mistake, it is about adrenaline. Michelle Bobbit, who’s been involved on both sides as a rider and behind the desk at WRESJA since the early 2000s, exclaims breathlessly, “It’s the adrenaline… pure adrenaline. Blood pumping… it’s all about speed.”
Spectators can gab, yab and cheer their favorite riders on while food and drinks will be available courtesy of KB’s Burritos. Keeping warm, you can drink delicious hot chocolate and/or coffee (mocha anyone?) courtesy of The Crisis Hotline. Like so many of these events, the sponsors are varied and local: Guffy’s Gun & Pawn, Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club, and Joe’s Backhoe Service are but a few.
When, When, When?
The races can be enjoyed at 81 Browning Lane, in Bellevue, for $10 or free if you happen to be 12 years old or younger; the whole family is welcome. If you want to compete, you can sign up Friday, February 16th at Mahoney’s Bar & Grill in Bellevue; otherwise, the races will be raced on Saturday and Sunday, February 17 & 18.
If you’re stopping in from out of town, or just want to get away from the house for a couple of days, the WRESJA has partnered with both the Silver Creek Hotel and the High Country Motel, offering special rates and local flavor. It’s a good idea to book early. As always, you can check out a local restaurant you’ve been meaning to visit or go for a winter hike in beautiful Blaine County.
Also a bonus — start time is 12 noon… you don’t have to be an early riser to check this out but you definitely want to be there early to get a decent vantage point, easy parking and stir up the spirits with new friends.
If you’d like to read and plan your attire, check out the glamorous fashion side of skijoring on WRESJA’s page: https://woodriveresja.com/2023/10/20/skijor-style-cool-edgy-alpine-chic-western-flair/.
They always need volunteers, too. If you would like to get involved, visit https://woodriveresja.com/ for more info, incredible photos and to stay in the skijoring loop!