Posted on January 12, 2010 - by Blackhawk Staff Writer

Skijoring Demonstration a Hit at Blackhawk

Skijoring is a very old form of winter transportation. The first mention of it was the Scandinavians hitching up their reindeer, strapping on their skis, and traveling in the snow.

Today skijoring is done with horses, dogs, or snowmobiles pulling a skier. Skijoring competions have developed throughout the Western U.S. using a horse and rider, pulling a skier through a course that includes jumps, slalom through cones, and grabbing rings as they come into the finish line. The competition is fierce at some of the events, with best finishing times winning large purses. You Tube has a number of videos of skijoring competitions. A favorite of ours is Leadville Skijoring.

Out at the River Lodge at Blackhawk on the River, an invitational horse skijoring event gave horses and riders, and local skiers their first experience at this fun event. We would like to thank everyone who came out to watch, and a very big Thank You to our course groomer, Greg Lolly. We hope to continue this winter tradition at Blackhawk next year!