Skijordue Competition Rules
Competitors must be 15 years old. Competitors under 18 years must have a parental signature on waiver. All competitors must show identification & sign waivers on event day check in. All sliders* (this term encompasses both skiers & snowboarders throughout this document) must wear approved snow sport helmets. Eye protection is recommended.
Competitors may not consume alcohol before or during competition.
Marshals &/or veterinarians may excuse any competitor (human or equine) from competition for behaving in an unsafe or unsound manner, including inhumane treatment of horses.
No horses or sliders permitted on the field/course except during their designated run. Designated warm up & staging areas will be provided.
Failure to comply with rules, obey marshals or unsportsmanlike behaviour at any Skijor Canada event may result in the disqualification of your team, forfeit of entry fees &/or prize monies & banishment from future Skijor Canada events.
* Note, this is a large crowd event with an excited atmosphere, bright obstacles, loud music, announcing, large video screens & drone photography.
REGISTRATION
Registration is by TEAM via www.skijorcanada.com.
A team consists of horse, rider & slider, ( 2 sliders in Relay.) All fields/names must be completed upon entry submission. Team Names will be announced & displayed on the leaderboard.
Teams may compete in any or all events.
Horses may only run ONCE per event.
Riders & Sliders may compete a maximum of TWO times per event.
There will be no refunds for individuals who register without meeting these requirements.
Order of go will be posted online the day before the event, & at check in.
COMPETITOR CHECK IN
Check in opens at 9am. Competitors must check in, on site by 11:30 am event day.
Competitors will provide identification, sign a waiver & leave a deposit for RFID tag, to be returned at end of competition.
RFID tags are assigned to TEAM names. RFID to be worn by sliders, except in the relay where it will be attached to a ring. It is the responsibility of each team to ensure they have the correct RFID on the correct slider for each event. Marshalls will assist in fastening RFIDs to rings for relay.
COMPETITION
Staging between runs: Each team is allowed 3 minutes to complete staging & begin the race. After this allotted time has expired, the competitors will be asked to leave the staging area & disqualified from that class. The allotted 3-minute time period will begin at the declaration of a clear track.
Finishing the Race: The slider must finish in an upright position on at least one ski, with rope in hand when crossing the finish line. Both slider’s boots must cross the finish line.
CIRCUIT: Flag start, RFID timing. No part of the team may cross the start line before the starter flag drops. RFID tag to be worn on slider may not be attached to any equipment.
Curved track approx. 200m. Jumps not exceeding 1m height, gates, rings, rollers & berms. Double Circuit runs 2 teams simultaneously on mirrored courses. RFID tag to be worn on slider may not be attached to any equipment.
*Circuit course map will be posted at event check in. Competitors will have the opportunity to walk the circuit course on foot, with judges at 11am event day. NO horses are permitted on course except during competition.
SPRINT: Heats, flag start, RFID timing between geo start/finish lines. No part of the team may cross the start line before the starter flag drops. RFID tag to be worn on slider may not be attached to any equipment. The Field judges shall have the final decision on legal starts & finishes.
RELAY: Heats, flag start, RFID timing between geo start/finish lines. No part of the team may cross the start line before the starter flag drops. RFID tag to be fastened to ring, handed off from slider A to slider B. The ring must be in slider’s hand or on arm, not on rope. The Field judges shall have the final decision on legal starts & finishes.
LONG JUMP: Individual distance or style. Choice of ramp or kicker jump, max 2m high, sloped landing. The distance of the jump will be measured at the heel of the back boot landing. Slider must demonstrate control by skiing out of the landing. The Field Judge shall have the final decision if the slider is in control upon landing.
PENALTIES
CIRCUIT:
- A five second penalty is assessed for each missed jump, ring or *gate. *Breakaway style gates where slider goes right of red & left of blue. Both ski tips & both boots must go around a gate, or the gate is considered missed.
- A five second penalty is assessed for any horse breaking the plane of any jump, or hitting a gate, ring stand or barrel/bale.
- Any horse or slider touching the course boundary line is disqualified.
SPRINT & RELAY:
- Teams will be allocated lanes defined by numbered objects & cross the finish line in the same position. Finishing outside of the assigned lane will result in disqualification.
- Starts will be recorded. Jumping the start will result in disqualification. The Field judges shall have the final decision on if a horse jumps the start.
EQUIPMENT
- Horses to be ridden in Western saddle with horn.
- Ropes must dallied (wrapped) around saddle horn, no tying of ropes to anything/anyone.
- Handles & loops are NOT permitted.
- Ropes must be be 3/8 or larger in diameter, a minimum 30 feet in length & maximum 50 feet in length.
- Any rope not supplied by the event organizing committee must be inspected & approved by the Start Master or his designee prior to the start of racing.
- All sliders must wear approved snow sport helmets.
- Helmets are recommended for riders.
- Traction shoes & protective boots are recommended for horses.
- Hoof boots are not permitted.
PRIZES
Prizes for First, Second & Third place to be presented on stage after each event. Riders & sliders + First place horse must be present for photograph & prize giving. Additional swag may be added to cash prizes.
First Place: $1,200 + Champion horse blanket
Second Place: $800
Third Place: $500
SPORTSMANSHIP
Good sportsmanship is essential to the success of our event & the image of the sport in the community. Your registration signature pledges your word to the humane treatment of your horse & respectful relationship to all fellow competitors, staff & volunteers.