Skijoring Utah featuring snackle boxes and a mini horse tumble

Another successful year for Utah SkiJoring, the crowds endured snow and shine, all for a good time. Photo: TownLift // Meredith Kluever.

HEBER CITY — On Saturday, January 28, spectators and competitors gathered at the Wasatch County Event Complex to watch Skijoring Utah events. All divisions were on display, Century (combined age must meet 100), Novice (including lots of kiddos), Sport, and Pro.

Spectators came prepared in their warmest gear with drinks and snacks, like this impressive “snackle box,” which garnered a lot of praise in the stadium seats. Foot-long corndogs were definitely the food of choice from Saturday’s food trucks.

The Century teams, Kids, Sport, and Pros all raced their hearts out. By far the most dramatic event was when a mini horse took a full on tumble with a youngster on its back and the crowd’s concern was tangible until the horse and its rider got up without a scratch.

Spectators were brought onto the snow for human bowling. In an attempt to knock over as many life-size Coke bottles as possible, horses dragged volunteers on a tube and released them. Local Dylan Gronset pumped up the crowd and had the day’s record of knocking down two bottles.

At the end of the three day Skijoring event, Pro team Hide On Fire walked away with the coveted buckle. Preston Arnoldson and Jeff Johnson won with about a one second gap across the board ahead of Your Mom… comprised of competitors Clayson Hutchings and Ryan Ditmar.