GALLERY: Skijordue brings sold-out show to the Foothills

Amir Said Mar 3, 2024 3:00 PM
Roman rider Noemy Coeurjoly drags slider Adam McCraw through the snow.▲
Thousands of skijor fans packed the stands at the Millarville Racetrack for Skijordue 2024.▲
Sam Mitchell, founder of Skijor Canada, gearing up for the event, which she first hosted in 2017.▲
Stefan and Kat Huwald (centre) don their polar bear and sealskin coats respectively for the fashion show, bringing along José Araujo (left) and Isaac Garata (right) for their first major event in Canada since coming from Mexico.▲
Fashion show MC Baruch Laskin introduces special guests Margaret Holloway (left) and Brooke Fielding, 2024 Calgary Stampede princesses.▲
Riders and sliders race down the track during the sprint portion of the competition.▲
The heavy snow was hardly an obstacle for the riders, sliders and steeds.▲
Skijordue crew member Kerry Sherman rocks a Packers cheese hat, representing the event's signature gourmet fondue.▲

Alberta's iconic horse-drawn skiing competition came back with a bang. 

Skijordue 2024 attracted a sold-out crowd of around 4,000 skijor fans to the Millarville Racetrack on March 2.

Competitors took part in four main categories: circuit, relay, sprint and long jump. There were also stunt performances outside of the competition.

Outside of horses and skiing, the event featured gourmet fondue, a fashion show and an après-ski party. 

The long-awaited skijor celebration followed a January show in Banff and a February promotional event with Nitrocross in Calgary.

Skijordue is a fundraiser for Prairie Sky Equine Assisted Therapy, and Skijor Canada raised over $20,000 for the cause since its full-fledged debut in 2017. Additionally, Skijordue 2020 raised $4,000 for the Millarville Arena Rebuild Project.  

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