For riders, controlling your horse’s speed can
mean the difference between a clean run for your
skier or a time fraught with penalties. Skiers need
to be able to manage slack in the rope and
recover quickly from its whipping motion. Also,
landing jumps on a flat track and learning to ski
with snow (and manure!) flying up in your face
are factors.
Horses need to be sure-footed in snow and
highly responsive. This is why Quarter Horses
that enjoy loving and trusting relationships with
their riders and are trained to rope and barrel
race often end up in the winner’s circle. Speed is
important in the home stretch, but if unchecked,
spells trouble while navigating through the meat
of the course.
The ratio of male to female riders is about 50:50
in Canada and America, where both genders
share the winner’s circle. Skiers are more likely
to be male in America, but in Canada the ratio is
more even. In Switzerland, where the competitor
skis behind the horse while reining it from
behind, the ratio is 3:1 men to women with both
genders being champions in recent years. In the
US or Canada, typically both male and female
athletes ride OR ski. On only a few rare occasions
does an athlete do both. Lenny Hay of Eden,
Wyoming is one example. The optimal age to
skijor is between 25 and 50 since the sport can
be tough on one’s body and experience plays a
significant role in success. Some races offer
Youth and Legends Divisions, however, to
expand the field.
Learn More About Skijor International
Visit their website:
Loren Zhimanskova, Skijor International President and CEO