Whitefish Skijoring Nonprofit Association 2026 Rules & Regulations

Competitor Rules

• Teams consist of a horse, rider, and skier/snowboarder. Minimum human competitor age: 13.
• Each team receives one run per day.
• No substitutions allowed after Friday at 9:00 PM.
• If any team member cannot compete, the team will be scratched.
• No refunds issued after Friday at 9:00 PM.

Entry Fees

• Novice – $100/team
• Snowboard – $150/team
• Sport – $150/team
• Open – $200/team

Horse Limits

• Horses may only compete in one division with the exception of Snowboard.
• Max 2 runs per horse per day.

Skier/Snowboarder Limits

• Skiers may compete in one division with the exception of Snowboard.
• Novice: up to 3 runs
• Sport/Open: up to 4 runs
• Snowboarders: up to 3 runs
• Helmets required; eye protection recommended.

Rider Limits

• Riders may compete in multiple divisions.
• Up to 4 runs per day, with the exception of Snowboard.

Overall Limits

• No competitor may be on more than 7 teams.
• No identical team (same 3 heartbeats) may run more than once per day.

Division Rules

Novice Division

• For beginning-level competitors and horses.
• 1st-place Horse or Skier Novice winners must move up unless approved.
• Competitors must have under 3 seasons experience unless approved.
• Entry Fee: $100

Snowboard Division

• Horse, rider, snowboarder teams.
• Entry Fee: $150

Sport Division

• For intermediate-level competitors.
• 1st-place Horse or Skier Sport winners must move to Open unless approved.
• Entry Fee: $150

Open Division

• Highest-level division.
• Open riders may compete in Sport with Sport-level horse/skier.
• Open riders (current or past) may not compete in Novice.
• Entry Fee: $200

Exception Requests

Must be emailed to competitors.wfskijoring@gmail.com before Friday registration closes.

Safety, Sportsmanship & Conduct

Unsafe Behavior

• Unsafe behavior may result in disqualification from current or future events.
• Reports may be submitted by competitors, staff, or volunteers.
• Decisions made by 3+ race officials; final.

Sportsmanship

• Respect toward horses, competitors, volunteers, and officials required.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification from current or future events.

Competitor Behavior

• Non-competitors may not ride or be pulled by horses.
• Horses prohibited from spectator areas.
• Dogs must be restrained during race hours.
• Competitors responsible for guests.
• Keep nonessential people out of staging area.

Human Health

• Medical care/transport costs are the responsibility of the recipient.
• Officials may disqualify competitors deemed unfit to compete.

Horse Health

• Veterinarian may scratch horses for welfare concerns.
• Veterinarian services costs are the responsibility of the recipient.
• Horse ambulance donated and provided by Rebecca Farm.
• Veterinarian provided by LaSalle Veterinary Clinic.
• Bell & splint boots & traction shoes recommended.

The Course

• 800–1000 feet long with ample run out
• Skier passes right of red, left of blue gates.
• 3–4 jumps, 3–5 feet.
• Difficulty increases by division.
• Course maps posted online.

Course Walk-Through

Allowed before race start and before division starts.

Scratching

• Refund only if scratched before first run Saturday.
• No refunds afterward.

Equipment Rules

Skier Rope

• Max length: 33 ft.
• Min diameter: ⅜ inch.
• No handles or devices; one knot allowed at the end
• Non-event ropes require inspection.

Rope Attachment

• Attach to saddle horn or primary rigging.
• Must begin within 9 inches of cantle.
• Incorrect rigging → correction and restart; second failure = DQ.

Rings

Only event-provided rings allowed, no batons.

Saddles

• Must be free of impediments.
• No extra ropes, saddle bags, firearm holsters.
• Night latches, tapaderos, approved gear allowed.

Race Procedures

Run Order

• Posted online and at start gate.
• Change requests allowed before division start.
• Sunday changes must be emailed by 10 PM Saturday.

Start Gate Procedures

• Competitors must be ready when called.
• Valid delays may result in resequencing.

Sparby Rule

• Three minutes to start after 'Course Clear.'
• 1st timeout → end of division.
• 2nd timeout → DNS.

Start Rules & Restarts

• Time starts when skier’s boots cross start line.
• Rope drop before crossing allows restart.
• Max 2 immediate restarts.
• Two failures to stop before halfway = no further attempts.

Timing Equipment

• Electronic timing with backup hand timing.
• Hitting start timer → 2-second penalty.
• Hitting finish timer → DNF.

Penalties

• Missed gate → 2 seconds.
• Horse hitting skier gate → 2 seconds.
• Breaking jump plane → 2 seconds.

Finish Requirements

• Skier must be upright and holding rope.
• Rider must be mounted.
• Rings counted only if in possession.
• Horse crossing finish on skier side causing timer stop → DNF.

Protests, Results, Awards & Contacts

Penalty Protests

• Must be reported before leaving finish area and will pause the race
• Reviewed by arena judges and Head of Flaggers.

Other Protests

• Submit same day via email or voicemail.
• Reviewed by 3+ officials; final.

Results

Posted online and in print after each race day.

Awards

Buckles, money, and prizes awarded Sunday night.

Contacts

• General questions: competitors.wfskijoring@gmail.com
• Exception requests: Email before registering competitors.wfskijoring@gmail.com
• Substitutions/cancellations before Fri 9 PM: (406) 260-8725
• Saturday scratches: Email or call; timestamps used

Vet/Medical:

• Brock Bolin: (815) 980-6222
• Taryne Haskamp: (616) 322-7143