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In our races, the Track Boss has the ultimate say in determining participant and equine safety. We reserve the right to disqualify any competitor in the event unsafe actions are observed. We also reserve the right to cancel or postpone the entire event should dangerous conditions arise. Final authority in such matters lies solely on the Grand Lake Skijoring Officials.
Race is subject to change due to inclement weather. We reserve the right to change, cancel, or delay the race due to weather and conditions of the track.
Online registration will open Monday February 10th, 2025 at 8am.
TEAMS
A team consists of a matched horse, rider, and skier. They will get one run each day. A skier cannot ski behind the same horse more than once per day, and a horse CAN ONLY run two times per day unless the horse is used in the youth division.
Youth Team: May be pulled by an advanced rider already entered in the event and will not count towards the horse’s two run limit. Youth Skier must be 15 and under.
Snowboard Team: (10 Teams Max)
Novice Team: Riders/skiers/horses are considered new to the sport.
Sport Team: Rider/skier/horse are considered intermediate.
Open Team: Riders/Skiers/horses are considered advanced.
Youth Teams - $50/team
Snowboard Teams - $100/team
Novice Teams - $100/team
Sport Teams - $100/team (Skiers limited to 4 runs)
Open Teams - $150/team (Skiers limited to 4 runs)
We will collect money as a team. Skier and Rider will settle up individually.
All teams are REQUIRED to confirm runs over the phone on Monday, March 3, 2025. This step is crucial to ensure that individuals on the "waitlist" have ample time to make travel arrangements. Teams confirmed on March 3, 2025, will NOT qualify for reimbursement, as those funds will already be factored into the payouts. However, substitutions will be permitted up until the competitor meeting on the day of the first competition for each division.
TIMING - Division is subject to change depending on the number of entries.
In Novice divisions, time plus penalties will be ranked accordingly. We will provide day money and weekend average. Fastest times win, day one will be averaged with day two to arrive at the team’s weekend overall time.
Snowboard division will be time plus penalties will be ranked accordingly. Awards will be money only.
In the Sport division, time plus penalties will be ranked accordingly. Depending on entries we intend to run a 2-D we utilize a 1.5 second split. The split will be based on raw times to set divisions. Penalties are then assessed, overall times with penalties assessed will determine rank. Team day one time is averaged with day two time, division split set, then total penalties added to get the weekend overall time. Day money and weekend average will be awarded. We will pay top 3 for day money and top 4 for average.
A missed ring will result in a 2 second penalty, missed gate or jump will receive a 5 second penalty. If a horse breaks the plane of a jump or hits ring stands, the team will result in a Do Not Finish (DNF). If a horse or skier knocks over timing equipment, the team will be a Do Not Finish (DNF).
Electronic timing via kick boards will determine the official time, if a skier fails to trigger the kick board, i.e. jumps the board, the result will be DNF. In the event of a timing system failure, we have a backup timing place, both hand and electronic. The timing judge's and starting judge's call is final.
SKIER- OPEN/SPORT/NOVICE RULES
A skier can choose their division of competition.
A skier may compete in only one Division, unless assisting with the youth division.
A skier may compete up to four times in a day.
All skiers must wear approved snow sport helmets, protective Eyewear is recommended.
Any Skiers under 18, must have a parent/guardian sign parental consent forms. Parent/Guardian must be on site during the race.
Skiers only in Sport/ Open divisions.
Recommendations : It is strongly suggested that bindings be tested by a professional prior to skiing.
RIDER- OPEN/SPORT/NOVICE RULES
A rider may compete in more than one division, but horses cannot cross divisions and horses can only run a maximum of 2 runs, except for 1 additional run in the youth division.
Horses can run 1 novice and 1 snowboard.
All riders must be on time for their runs. Horses have 4 minutes to begin their run. Any rider that cannot be ready on time due to running too many horses or horse difficulty will be moved to the back of the order. Second failure to be ready on time will result in a DQ for that run.
Riders will be limited to 2 horses per division.
Any Riders under 18, must have a parent/guardian sign parental consent forms. Parent/Guardian must be present during the race.
Helmets and protective vests are recommended for all riders.
Recommendations: Leg protection (boots or polo wraps) and bell boots are recommended. Horses are encouraged to have a shoe that will increase traction (borium, calks, etc.) but not required.
General Competition Rules
All participants must sign a liability waiver prior to competition. These will be available at the race registration prior to race day.
Rope length cannot exceed 33 feet in length. No extensions or tethers from the saddle longer than 6 inches will be allowed. They will be required to be removed before your race can start. Handles are prohibited. Overhand knots on skiers end of rope is acceptable.
Rope inspection will take place directly after the competitor meeting, bring your ropes with you to the morning meeting.
Grand Lake Skijoring will provide ropes for competitors. We highly encourage skiers to bring their own ropes. Teams may use their own ropes, so long as they have been inspected by the Track Boss.
No dogs are allowed outside of vehicles at the race venue. Pets must remain inside the cab of vehicles.
A missed ring will result in a 2 second time penalty, a missed gate / jump will result in a 5 second penalty.
No aerial drone(s) are allowed.
Races need to be vigilant about starting on time. Each team has a maximum of 4 minutes to start their run once called up. If a team goes beyond the 4 minute mark they will be rolled. If two no-starts occur, that team will receive a DNF.
Rules will be clearly posted and accessible to all competitors two weeks prior to the race.
If a horse, rider, or equipment are deemed unsafe the rider and horse can be asked to leave at any time by the Track Boss or other Grand Lake Skijoring official. This includes intoxicated / under-the-influence participants.
Timing Equipment hit by a horse at the start will be given one warning for that run and hitting it a second time will result in a disqualification for that run. Timing Equipment hit by a horse at the finish will result in a disqualification for that run.
If the Skier drops the rope BEFORE crossing the start line, he/she will be allowed a restart immediately after the team’s fault start. The four-minute rule restarts upon the Track Boss' determination of a clear course. If a delay or the skier drops the rope on the second attempt to start, that team is disqualified for that run. If the Horse runs the course, the team may be dropped down (In the order at the official's discretion) a few racers to allow for reasonable recovery time. If it is the last of the division, they should be scheduled to run 1st prior to the start of the next division.
The skier must finish in an upright position and on at least one ski, with rope in hand when crossing the finish line. Both skier boots must cross between the finish line gate.
Both ski tips and both boots must go around a gate, or the gate is considered missed.
Participants may use batons for ring spearing, batons are not required, thus no penalty will be assessed for a dropped baton.
All competitors must be informed of their time at the end of their run prior to the start of the next run. Times will be announced over the PA system.
Substitutions are allowed for any team member (horse, skier or rider) prior to the competitor meeting on Saturday morning. After the competitor meeting on Saturday there will be NO substitutions. Substitutions for exhibition runs can be allowed if approved, but not guaranteed, by the Track Boss. Exhibition runs will not count towards placing.
Protests must be voiced by the skier/boarder or rider to the Track Boss or Grand Lake Skijoring Race Organizer before the start of the next run. The Track Boss will have the final ruling before the start of the next run.
a. If a team loses a protest during the race, they have the right to re-protest until 5pm with “clear, 100% footage” to overturn the protest. There will be NO protests after the award ceremony has started.
All performance-enhancing drugs are prohibited and will not be tolerated. The Track Boss and the event organizers have the final say in related matters.
The following will result in no time and disqualification from the event:
(a) Infraction of any state or federal law which exists pertaining to the exhibition, care, and custody of horses within the State of Colorado, Grand County.
(b) Abuse of an animal on the track and/or evidence that an act of abuse has occurred prior to or during the exhibition of a horse in competition.
(c) Use of illegal equipment, including added wire on bits or curb chains.
(d) Failure to dismount and/or present horse and equipment to the horse official if asked.
(e) Participation under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances is prohibited.
Recommendations: Rules should be reviewed verbally with all competitors prior to the start of the race.Horses will be randomly checked for equipment. The Track Boss will check all tack and how the rope is attached to the saddle. If requested by the Track Boss, a rider may be asked to drop their bit.
HORSE SAFETY & TREATMENT
Water for horses will be available at designated horse/trailer areas. Contact race officials for any questions or concerns.
The on-site veterinarian will have the authority to scratch a horse for health reasons or concerns pertaining to the safety of the horse. Any member of the organizing committee can require a horse to be examined by the veterinarian prior to racing.
No person may abuse a Horse during an Event or at any other time. “Abuse” means an action or omission, which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a Horse, including, but not limited to:
o Whipping or beating a Horse excessively
o Subjecting a Horse to any kind of electric shock device
o Using spurs excessively or persistently
o Leaving a Horse without adequate food, drink or exercise
Any person witnessing an Abuse must report it in the form of a Protest, without cost immediately. If an Abuse is witnessed during or in direct connection with an Event, it should be reported as a Protest to an Official.