Skijoring combines skiing and horseback riding for an exhilarating winter sport in Colorado
Ridgway: Richard Weber III is a proud rancher from the Western Slope. Recently, he was at the Ouray County Fairgrounds, dressed in a red shirt and blue jeans, but with ski boots on his feet.
For nine years, he’s been the mastermind behind the San Juan Skijoring competition. It’s a wild event where skiers and snowboarders are pulled by horses through a snowy obstacle course. Think of it as a winter rodeo with a twist, featuring thrilling events like big air jumps over cars.
This year, they used a whopping 1.2 million gallons of water to create the snow course. The fastest competitors zipped through in under 25 seconds!
Weber has spent years on horseback, pulling athletes through the course. Recently, he decided to give it a go himself, competing in the novice division. “It’s the most fun you can have with your pants on,” he said, grinning after his first ride.
Skijoring has its roots in Scandinavia, where it started as a way to get around on skis pulled by horses. It even made a brief Olympic appearance in 1928. Nowadays, it’s gaining popularity among skiers and horse lovers alike.
Jackie Nadel from Salt Lake City got hooked on skijoring after seeing a competition in Utah. As a skier and horse rider, she couldn’t resist trying it out. “It’s like water skiing but with more excitement,” she explained.
As she stepped onto the Ridgway track, her stomach was in knots. But once she launched into action, the thrill was unbeatable. “It’s a huck and pray,” she laughed, describing the rush.
Nadel is on a mission to get more women involved in skijoring, especially those who played sports in school. It seems like a fun challenge for first-timers!
Lacey Anderson from Durango jumped into the novice division after a friend’s skier dropped out. She didn’t have any practice runs, just a quick look at the course before her first attempt. Her cheetah-print jacket gave her a boost of confidence!
Cam Stark, another newbie, felt a bit nervous before his run but was excited afterward. “The centrifugal force around the first two turns was wild!” he said, recalling the thrill.
Mike Ramsden from Grand Junction donned a neon jumpsuit for his first skijoring experience. After a hard fall on his second run, he joked, “That’s gonna hurt tomorrow,” but he’d definitely do it again.
The San Juan Skijoring event kicked off a series of competitions across Colorado this winter. If you’re interested, check out the upcoming events!
