Whitefish ski joring races this weekend

It’s already one of the most anticipated ski joring events in the nation — and it’s only getting bigger and better.

The World Invitational Whitefish Ski Joring races up the ante this year with teams traveling from as far away as Arizona competing for the biggest cash purse on record. A professional bull rider, champion bare back rider, pro skiers and some of the fastest horses on the circuit will be in town for the weekend of racing and jumping.

“I’ve been all up and down the Rockies and we do put on the best race in the circuit,” said event organizer Scott Ping. “It’s the biggest, with the most competitors, the most spectators and the biggest pay out. I’ve been busting my butt to get it all together.”

Ski joring is a traditional Whitefish Winter Carnival event that combines the old West with the new. Skiers pulled by a horse and rider are challenged to slalom through gates and hit jumps. The duo with the fastest time wins. Thousands of spectators line the course to cheer on teams.

This year’s overall prize purse is a whopping $20,000. That’s a big draw for top teams to travel to Whitefish, Ping said.

“This is the biggest open purse we’ve ever had,” he said. “We’ve got riders coming in from all over — all the way from New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.”

A horseshoe course is planned for Saturday, which Ping says is a true test of horsemanship.

“The first day is more of a horse control event,” he said. “There are three heartbeats out there, the horse, skier and rider. You have to follow the right line.”

Sunday is a straight course where speed rules. Skiers have to hit jumps, slalom gates and grab rings.

“Everybody loved the straight course last year, and were doing it again,” Ping said. “We’ll clock skiers at well over 40 mph. We have a lot of fast horses getting into it — these are race horses.”

Competition in the open professional class is fast and fierce.

A novice division is open to anyone who wants to try out the sport.

“We fill up pretty good in the novice division and will have a good local crowd out there,” Ping said. “We encourage people who haven’t done it to get involved.”

Registration for the races is Friday from 6-9 p.m. at Casey’s in downtown Whitefish.

The action takes place Saturday and Sunday at the city airport off East Second Street, with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. and the racing at noon both days.

A Calcutta on Saturday is at Casey’s at 7 p.m. This is a chance to bid on teams for Sunday’s event. An awards ceremony is Sunday at Casey’s after the races.

Spectators this year are asked to take a shuttle from the Whitefish High School north parking lot. Buses will run every 10 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. until the event is over. There is a $5 entry fee for adults, children 12 and under a free. Vendors will offer food and beverages.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the event. Contact Scott Ping at 261-7464.

Visit www.whitefishskijoring.com for more information.