Uncategorized
Skiing with horsepower: 320 Guest Ranch hosts skijoring competition Feb. 6 and 7
Published
8 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Amanda Eggert EBS Staff Writer
BIG SKY – Equestrian skijoring, with its mix of horseman skills and skier stoke, has found a welcome home 12 miles south of Big Sky at the 320 Guest Ranch. The event returns to the ranch for the sixth consecutive year, Feb. 6 and 7.
During an equestrian skijoring race, a horseback rider pulls a skier through an obstacle course in a timed run. There are other versions of skijoring that involve mules, dogs, bikes and snowmobiles.
Skijoring – which comes from a Norwegian term meaning “ski driving” – wasn’t very common when the ranch started hosting races in 2011.
“There were only a few events [in the U.S.],” said Megan Coppola, 320’s marketing coordinator and dining room manager. “Now it’s very popular and it’s spread nationally.”
Although the 320 race isn’t one of its sanctioned events, the North American Ski Joring Association was established in 1999 to advance the sport. NASJA races are currently held in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and New Mexico. Next year, Utah and Arizona will be added to the list.
“I really think that once you see it, and especially once you do it, you really get into it,” said NASJA president and skijoring competitor Scott Ping, referencing the sport’s growth.
“A lot of these teams will work the circuit – rodeo in the summer and skijoring in the winter,” Coppola said. “Jackson, Red Lodge, Whitefish, 320 – they can honesty hit a skijoring event every weekend.”
Skiers will navigate a series of slalom gates, 2- to 3-foot jumps and banked turns on 320’s 400-yard course. Time penalties are given for a missed turn or jump. “You want to have the fastest, cleanest run,” Coppola said.
Successful teams have riders who skillfully adjust their horse’s speed and work their horse across the course, Coppola said, as well skiers who manage their speed by taking in or paying out slack in the rope.
Coppola said they won’t know how much money this year’s winning team will walk away with until registration is complete, but last year’s total payout was $1,900.
Typically the skier and rider work together prior to the event, but last year’s winning team in the open division – the most competitive category – met at the event and left with $635.
The combination of horses, skiers, speed and jumps tends to result in a fair amount of carnage, but a search and rescue team will be on hand to assist with medical treatment if needed.
“It damn near killed me three times,” Ping said of skijoring events he’s competed in. “I can’t tell you all the injuries I’ve had doing this sport, but I keep doing it because I love it.”
As with previous years, a local brewery and distillery will offer tastings of their products both days – Red Lodge Ales and Bozeman Spirits will also be on hand Saturday night at the 320 banquet hall, where Bozeman-based Rocky Mountain Pearls will play country tunes.
Registration opens Saturday, Feb. 6 and both days of racing, as well as the Rocky Mountain Pearls concert, are free for spectators. Visit 320ranch.com/activities for more information.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm