Skijoring

Save the Date, Skijoring Returns to Rebecca Farm,
March 2-3, 2019 .

Non-profit skijoring organizer, Montana Equestrian Events, is thrilled to announce that with temperatures predicted to hit double digits by race time and winds remaining calm, today’s Skijoring at Rebecca Farm competition will proceed at 2 p.m. The competition was initially pushed back from its original start time of noon to 2 p.m. as organizers hoped for warmer weather. Temperatures continued to climb throughout the morning and at 12:45 p.m. organizers decided to move forward.

The Saturday races of Skijoring at Rebecca Farm were cancelled March 2 due to extreme cold and wind. Race organizers made a final decision for both days after consulting multiple veterinary experts.

Competitors who signed up for both days are eligible for a 50 percent refund and can pick those up at the Rebecca Farm office today. Final information about the awards ceremony will be posted in this note as that information is available.

Rebecca Farm is excited to host their second skijoring competition on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3. Opening ceremonies begin at noon both days, closely followed by the start of this adrenaline-pumping competition. Joe Warner, well known rodeo announcer, will emcee as alpine skiers pulled by horse and rider teams fly down a challenging curved course, navigating gates, grabbing rings and soaring over jumps up to 6 feet high.

Competitors will vie for a purse in excess of $20,000. A portion of the Saturday evening Calcutta proceeds will be donated to Halt Cancer at X, an initiative created by organizer Sarah Broussard that raises funds for breast cancer research and local nonprofits providing support services for cancer patients. For more information, please visit rebeccafarm.org/halt-cancer.

This family-friendly event is open to the public and promises to be fun for all ages. Admission is $5 per person, with children 12 and under admitted free. Spectators will enjoy the beautiful scenery and vistas of Rebecca Farm, while watching the fast-paced action. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from several local vendors.

Offsite Evening Events

Friday Night - Team Registration
Where: Brannigan's Pub, 2nd Floor
101 E. Center St., Kalispell
When: Friday, March 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Who: Competitors

Friday night's Team Registration is mandatory for all competitors even those who have pre-registered on-line. There you'll complete the registration process, find a teammate and enjoy a little camaraderie ahead of the next day’s competition. Brannigan's has a full bar and kitchen so come with an appetite! Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Saturday Night - Calcutta
Where: Rivals Sports Bar
1250 US Hwy 2 West, Kalispell
When: Saturday, March 2 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Who: Competitors, Volunteers, and Fans

Get ready to bid for your favorite skijoring teams! Skijoring at Rebecca Farm will hold a Calcutta on Saturday night from 7p.m. to 10 p.m hosted by Joe Warner, one of the best rodeo announcers in the Pacific Northwest. Join in the festivities as teams from the Open, Sport, and Novice classes are auctioned off to the highest bidders.

Eighty percent (80%) of the money raised for each class will be paid out to the bidders who purchased the top three teams in each class, based on Sunday's times. The Calcutta is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend! Bid on your own team or find supporters to claim your name. Food and drink will be available for purchase from Rivals Sports Bar's full bar and restaurant.

Sunday Evening - Awards

Where: Bias Brewing
409 1st Avenue East, Kalispell
When: Sunday, March 3 at 6pm
Who: Competitors, Calcutta winners, Fans

Come and celebrate as the winners of each class are announced and presented with their prizes. Winning bids from Saturday evening’s Calcutta will also be paid out. Food and beverages will be available to purchase.

Competitors

Class and Competition Criteria:

OPEN CLASS (Pro) Teams are considered to be the highest skilled competitors with the fastest horses. A team consists of horse, rider and skier.
SPORT CLASS (Amateur) Teams are considered to be intermediate level skill participants riding horses that may not be fast enough to be in the Open Class.
NOVICE CLASS (Beginners) Teams are considered to be, new to the sport, beginning level competitors riding horses that may not have speed enough to be competitive in the Open or Sport Class.

Competitor Information Flyer (PDF)

Updated Rules and Regulations - 2019 Skijoring Season (PDF)
Revised 2.28.19 to change Rope Length to 33’.

Registration

Both online and Friday evening on-site registration will be offered for Skijoring at Rebecca Farm 2019. Online registration prior to the event is encouraged to reserve your spots. Registrations for this event are limited to a total of 120 teams and priority will be given to competitors registered in advance.

Even if you have pre-registered on-line, all competitors are required to attend Friday evening’s Team Registration at Brannigans's Pub (5pm-8pm) to complete registration paperwork, and submit signed waivers and profiles for the announcer. Competitors will also receive team numbers, goody bags and parking passes for the competition. PDF forms will be available on-line so they can be filled out prior to arrival.

Registration fees

Open Division: $110/person
Sport Division: $80/person
Novice Division: $60/person
Costume Division: $50/person

Use this link to preregister as a competitor, to print entry forms and/or to make reservations for stabling at Rebecca Farm.

Looking for a skijoring teammate? Request access to our Facebook group and connect with others who want to team up. Click HERE to get started.

Will there be a junior competitor category? There will not be a junior competitor category but all ages are welcome to compete. Those under the age of 18 must wear a helmet and have a parent/guardian's written permission to participate.

Accommodations Skijoring at Rebecca Farm? Check out the special hotel rates available to competitors and other attendees : https://discoverkali.wpengine.com/packages/skijoring-at-rebecca-farm/. For a complete listing of lodging available in Kalispell please visit https://discoverkali.wpengine.com/lodging/

Spectators

Rebecca Farm is located just two miles west of Kalispell on 640 picturesque acres of rolling hills against a backdrop of mountains. The Farm provides an ideal location for warmly bundled spectators to enjoy the exciting winter sport of skijoring. Designed to accommodate large sporting events, Rebecca Farm offers ample parking along with outstanding vantage points from which spectators can take in all the excitement.

Admission:

$5 per person, children 12 and under free. Free parking on site.

Food and Beverage Concessions:

Food and beverage vendors will be on-site

Directions

From US 93 South: Take Hwy 93 bypass North. At end, turn left. At flashing light, turn right (W. Springcreek Rd.) At end, merge onto Farm to Market Rd. In 1 mile, continue straight onto W. Springcreek Rd. (Farm to Market will bend to the left), At the T, turn left. Immediately, turn right back onto W. Springcreek Rd.

From US 93 North: Turn right onto West Reserve Drive. Follow to end. Turn right onto West Reserve Drive. Go straight through round-a-bout. Continue 1 mile and turn left onto West Springcreek Rd. Competition will be 3/4 mile on right.

From US 2: Turn west onto West Reserve Drive. Follow to end. Turn right onto West Reserve Drive. Go straight through round-a-bout. Continue 1 mile and turn left onto West Springcreek Rd. Competition will be 3/4 mile on right.

Schedule & Venues:

Friday, March 1st: Team Registration, 5-8pm, at Brannigan’s Pub (2nd floor), 101 E. Center Street, Kalispell

Saturday, March 2nd: Race Competition, First Go: Begins at noon, at Rebecca Farm, 1010 W. Springcreek Rd Kalispell
Calcutta Party, 7-10pm, at Rivals Bar, 1250 US Hwy 2 W, Kalispell

Sunday, March 3rd: Race Competition, Second Go: Begins at noon, at Rebecca Farm, 1010 W. Springcreek Rd, Kalispell
Awards: 6pm at Bias Brewing, 409 1st Avenue East, Kalispell

Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers to help with course maintenance, starting gate, finish, warm up and a few other areas. Please sign up online or respond to this email if you would like to be part of our volunteer team. The races begin at noon. Click on the following link at SignUp Genius to choose a day to volunteer. There will be a separate sign up for competitors.

Everyone signed up will get directions in late December.

If there is a job you have volunteered for at other skijoring races and would enjoy doing that is not listed, please contact Heidi directly at 406-270-3889 or email me at RFdressageHeidi@gmail.com

We would love to have you join us!