The Extreme Skijoring event held at Canterbury Park, Minnesota, merges cowboy culture with winter sports in a colorful spectacle. Competitors, on horseback, race down a snow-packed track pulling a skier who maneuvers through jumps and obstacles at high speed. Originating from the Nordic Games, skijoring has grown in popularity, especially in the western US. The event showcases the excitement of speed and skill, epitomized by the blend of cowboy aesthetics and the thrill of skiing, all while providing a festive atmosphere filled with camaraderie and celebration.
The sun is beating down on the snow-covered track at Canterbury Park, where fur and fringe fill the stands and old-school country blares from the speakers.
At about 40mph, horse and rider fly down the snow-packed track while a skier or snowboarder holds on to a 30ft long rope attached to the saddle.
Competitive skijoring first started in the Nordic Games in Sweden in 1901, and by 1949 a slower carnival event version was introduced to the United States.
Today, the western US largely dominates the sport, with the Skijoring World Championship held annually in Whitefish, Montana.
Collection
[
|
...
]