Official Rules
Divisions:
This is a match/draw event.
a. Every competitor that registers will enter a pool within their division and be paired with a different skier/snowboarder and horse/rider for one additional race.
b. Please be mindful when registering; a specific horse can only be entered once as a match team (the other run of the horse will be used for the draw race).
There will be 3 divisions; Youth, Novice and Open.
a. Youth: 13 and younger
b. Novice: Skiers, riders, and horses who have had no or a small amount of skijoring experience (under 5 races)
c. Open: The pros. Skiers, riders, and horses have participated a few to many times.
d. Star Valley Skijoring organizers are allowed to move any skier, horse, or rider to any division they feel is appropriate. Organizing officials will communicate with competitors if changes need to be made.
The Novice division will be split into 1D and 2D. The Open division will be split into 1D, 2D, and 3D. All raw times will be used to place teams within divisions. Penalties will be added after placement is established within each division. Splits will be determined by adding 1.5 seconds and 3 seconds to the day fastest time within the novice and open divisions. The next fastest time after adding the “split time” will determine placing
Competitors must register as a team (skier, horse, and rider)
a. Skiers cannot register without a horse/rider in hopes of being paired with a horse/rider. A rider/horse cannot register without a skier in hopes of finding one.
Draw races will not cross divisions.
Cost:
All prices shown below include the match and draw teams.
Youth: $20 per competitor ($40/team)
a. unlimited match entries
Novice: $50 per competitor ($100/per team)
a. 25 match entries
Open: $60 per competitor ($120/per team)
a. 35 match entries
General:
Space is limited. Please be sure to pre-register online before the event. Registration will open November 1st, 2027. Teams will be confirmed by January 10th, 2027.
Payment for registration is due the night of registration. January 15th, 2027 at Colter’s Lodge in Afton, WY.
All competitors must sign a liability waiver at registration January 15th, 2027.
A parent/legal guardian must be present for all youth competitors.
Snowboarders are welcome, but will be placed in their chosen division (novice or open). There will be no snowboarding specific division.
Ropes must be 33’ long with no handles for the skier to hold. Knots at the end of rope are accepted. Ropes must be ⅜ inch thick. Ropes will be available to use.
a. Ropes must be secured to the primary rigging rings (D rings) of the saddle. Riders are allowed 6 inches of non-elastic rope (carabiner included)) attached to the rigging system to attach to the rope. The starting track official has the right to inspect any rope set up before a race starts.
Star Valley Skijoring will have an Organizing Official overseeing all aspects of the race.
The Organizing Official will have the right to shut down the race for any reason.
If a horse, rider, skier, or any equipment is deemed unsafe, that individual will be asked to leave at any time by the Organizing Official. This includes anyone intoxicated/under the influence.
Every skier, rider, and horse will be able to inspect and WALK (no trotting or loping) the track the morning before race starts.
Good sportsmanship is important to the success of the event and the image of the community. Your registration signature pledges your word to the humane treatment of your horse (if applicable) and respectful relationships to all fellow competitors, race organizers, judges, staff, spectators and volunteers of this exciting competition. The track boss has the right to remove anyone who does not adhere to good sportsmanship.
If a skier, rider, or horse falls during a race, the EMT and/or vet will be called to inspect the competitor immediately. Simultaneously, the track may be inspected.
Skier:
A skier can choose to compete in any division. A skier may not compete in more than one division.
A skier may register up to 3 match teams. (In that instance, they will race 6 times a day with their match/draw races)
All skiers are required to wear helmets approved for snow. Eyewear is highly recommended.
Any skier under the age of 18 must have a parent/legal guardian sign a parental consent form.
It is highly recommended that bindings be checked by a professional before racing.
Rider/horse:
A horse may not run more than twice a day. (Unless the horse is running in the youth division [non-competitive in nature], which they may run up to 2 times in the youth division in addition to the sport or open divisions).
Riders may cross divisions.
A horse may not cross divisions.
It is highly suggested that the horse owner not allow any other contestant to ride their horse during the event (for fun or to race on).
It is highly recommended that a competing horse is in shape to run in the cold.
It is highly recommended that horses have leg protection.
A riding helmet and vest is highly recommended for all riders.
It is at the discretion of the rider to choose their bit/shank, but the bit or curb strap/chain should be of standard length and not be barbed, twisted or have wires.
There will be a veterinarian ON SITE with the authority to disqualify an animal for medical reasons. Any member of the organizing committee can require a horse to be examined by the veterinarian prior to racing. Any member of the organizing committee can, likewise, inspect tack, etc and determine whether it does not meet their own race requirements.
Timing:
Fastest race time win.
a. There will be daily prize money for the top 5 teams.
b. Day 1 and 2 race times will be averaged for the weekend’s overall time. Overall prizes and buckles will be awarded to the fastest overall weekend time.
c. A Do Not Finish (DNF) on any day will be ranked lower than a team with two qualifying times. A run with penalties will be marked lower than a run without.
Electronic timing will determine official time. In the event of a timing system failure, backup timing in place will determine official time. The timing judge’s call is final.
Track penalties
a. Missed gate: 5 seconds
b. Missed ring: 2 seconds
c. Missed jump: 5 seconds
d. Horse hitting a ring stand or going on the jump: 5 seconds
e. Horse or skier hitting timing equipment will receive a DNF.
Misc:
Track officials will be present at this race and an Organizing Official will govern over them. The track officials have the right to intervene in the presence of animal abuse, suspected substance abuse. The Organizing Official has the right to remove any competitor, cancel the race, or determine someone is unfit to compete for any safety reason. Final decisions made by the Organizing Official cannot be challenged.
All competitors must be on time for their race. Horses will have 4 minutes to begin their race before moving on to the next race. Anyone who cannot have their horse ready in the 4 minutes or who is late will automatically be bumped to the last race of the day. A second failure to be on time will result in a disqualification.
a. We will try to have at least 5 runs between the same skier, rider, or horse. If that is unable to be accomplished, there will be leniency for being late.
If a skier drops the rope before starting, they will be allowed to restart immediately. However, the 4 minute rule does apply. If a skier drops the rope a second time before starting, it will automatically become a disqualified race.
The skier must cross the finish line in an upright position, on at least one ski, and the rope in at least one hand. Both ski boots must cross the finish line. Failure to do any of the previously mentioned will result in a DNF.
Skiers may not use batons to spear rings.
If a ring stand falls due to wind or other factors of mother nature, a deduction will not occur.
All competitors will be informed of the race time immediately following their race. Any protests must happen before the next race starts. We will rely on track officials' expert opinion. Unless there is photo or video proof of an unjust call, the official's word is final. Once the next race begins, a protest is no longer allowed on previous races.
No aerial drones are allowed on the Lincoln County Fairgrounds during this event.
No dogs are allowed at the event.
All performance-enhancing drugs for humans/horses are prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Substitutions are allowed up to 7:30 am January 16th, 2027. The competitors must notify an organizing official and hear for confirmation before knowing the substitution is finalized.
a. Once the race is started Saturday, there will be no qualifying substitutions and the run will be considered an exhibition run. In the case of injury or no shows, an exhibition race will also be allowed. All exhibition runs will occur at the end of each division (no refunds will occur for exhibition runs).