Horse Skijoring: Where Skiing Meets Rodeo in a Thrilling Winter Sport

INTRO:

        I want you to do something for right now,just imagine the exciting feeling of skiing,combined with the rough and ready thrill of a rodeo. That’s what horse skijoring is,a high speed winter sport that’s growing in popularity across the United States and Canada. In the meantime,as competitors and fans gather for upcoming events,I can tell you for free that this thrilling sport is still attracting adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts.

Outlines:

• What is Horse Skijoring
• Upcoming Events and Growing Popularity
• Leadville: The Birthplace of Competitive Skijoring
• The Thrill and the Risks
• Conclusion

What is Horse Skijoring:

An extreme winter sport where a skier is pulled by a horse galloping at full speed  through a challenging obstacle course is called Skijoring, a term which has been derived from the Norwegian  word for ‘ski driving’. This course is also often a gates, jumps and rings course, which  challenges the skills of both the skier and the rider of the horse which guides it. It is  a spectacle of precision, courage and teamwork and the speeds often exceed 40 mph.

Upcoming Events and Growing Popularity:

Skijoring competitions are scheduled to occur from February 14-16 in several states, including  Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho, and also in Calgary, Canada. For instance, the biggest  event, Utah Skijoring, is planned to happen at the Wasatch County Events Complex in  Heber City. The hundred participants will race for cash prizes and bragging rights; thousands of spectators come  to watch the breathtaking performances. Joe Loveridge, co-founder of Utah Skijoring, said that  the last year’s event attracted about 9,000 people, and more people are expected this  year. The sport is growing beyond its roots as competitors come from other states like Montana, Washington,  California, and Nevada. 

Leadville: The Birthplace of Competitive Skijoring:

According to my friend Simon, Leadville, Colorado, hosts one of the most important skijoring competitions in history. At 10,200 feet, Leadville is the highest city in the United States and has hosted skijoring competitions since 1949. Two friendly residents named "Mugs" Ossmansat and Tom Schroeder told me that the sport was invented to give the town's winter festival a little more vigor.He continues by saying that after seeing a slower version of the sport in Steamboat Springs,they realized they could make it a little faster, which is how the high-speed version of the sport that we see today came to be.

The Thrill and the Risks:

As skijoring is quite risky, it is impossible to deny that it is fun.  However, like any other sport, it comes with the risks that are rather frequent. The competitors shoot jumps  as high as eight feet while being dragged at an adrenaline-pumping rate, and injuries are inevitable.  The spectators of the last year’s event at Leadville witnessed a rider fall off his horse during the  race, while one of the skiers continued the race with a recently healed shoulder separation.

Conclusion:

In my conversation with my friend Simon, I have to realise that whether you are an experienced athlete  looking for your next challenge or a spectator wanting to be part of an unforgettable experience, skijoring  is a sport that is worth checking out. Leadville’s competition, however, is one that’s  free for all, making it an easy going and friendly for families event. This, while a daring  sport, is still on the rise, and therefore, a good combination of Western heritage and high-speed  skiing excitement.