PRO Skijor Frontier Tour - Rules & Regulations

Applies to: Skijoring Utah (Heber, UT), Cache Valley Skijoring (Logan, UT), Skijor Boise (Boise, ID), and the Frontier Tour Championship Finals (Salt Lake City, UT).
Affiliates: Gallatin Skijor (Bozeman, MT) and Teton Valley Skijoring (Driggs, ID) are independently owned and operated and may use their own rules. Tour points earned at those affiliate events count toward Frontier Tour standings and Finals qualification.

Affiliate Events — Independence & Tour Points
Gallatin Skijor (Bozeman, MT) and Teton Valley Skijoring (Driggs, ID) are proud Affiliate Events of the PRO Skijor Frontier Tour. As affiliates, they are promoted as part of the Tour, and points earned by teams at these events are tracked and count toward Frontier Tour standings and Finals qualification. Each affiliate remains independently owned and operated; all event decisions - including rules, regulations, formats, safety protocols, schedules, entry policies, and on-site operations - are set solely by the respective affiliate organizers. PRO Skijor does not direct or control affiliate operations and assumes no responsibility for how those events are run. We share this for clarity and to celebrate a supportive partnership. For spectator tickets and competitor registrations, please use each affiliate’s website.

Terminology: For simplicity, “skier” refers to both skiers and snowboarders throughout these rules.

1) Divisions & Eligibility

A. Main Tour Divisions

(Eligible for Tour points, buckles, prizes, and cash payouts)

PRO (Open): Elite teams with fast horses, advanced riders and top-tier speed, timing, and technical skill. Course features may include tighter gates, larger jumps, and ring elements demanding precision. Intended for athletes and horses with significant skijoring or ski racing experience and results.
Sport (Amateur): Strong, experienced competitors who are developing toward PRO. Horses typically have competitive speed and responsiveness, but are not yet at consistent PRO pace. Athletes should be confident with jumps, gates, and rings at race pace.
Women’s: Female skier and rider division run on event-defined courses (often same or similar to Sport/PRO layouts). Skill levels range from intermediate through elite; horses must be responsive, steady in traffic, and comfortable at speed with a proficient skier.
Snowboard: Dedicated division for snowboard athletes; comparable course demands to ski divisions. Requires excellent edge control, line choice, and rope management at speed.

Team definition: A team consists of horse, rider, and skier.

Main-Division Cross-Entry Limits (per event):

Horse: may enter one (1) Main Tour Division only, with up to two (2) runs in that division.
Skier: may enter one (1) Main Tour Division only, with up to four (4) team entries in that division.
Rider: may enter one (1) Main Tour Division only, with up to four (4) team entries in that division.

B. Secondary Divisions

(Eligible for Tour points, buckles, and prizes; cash payouts may vary by event)

Novice: Entry-level competitors and developing horses. Focus on building confidence, clean lines, and safe rope handling.
- Move-Up: Any horse or skier that wins 1st place in Novice must move to a higher division the following year.
All-Around (Secondary Division): Event-defined combined format—typically two runs where the listed rider and skier swap roles (each rides once and skis once). Cumulative time (plus penalties) determines placement. Awards Tour points and counts toward Finals qualification. Buckles and prizes are awarded; cash payouts may be offered at the event’s discretion.

Secondary Cross-Entry:

Cross-entry into Secondary divisions is allowed without numerical limitation, provided the horse’s fitness and welfare are maintained at the discretion of the horse owner.
A skier may be pulled by the same horse only once within a given Main Tour Division (may repeat pairings in Secondary divisions).

C. “For Fun Only” / Event-Specific Divisions

(No Tour points; eligible for buckles/prizes; no cash payouts)
Examples include Century, Teens, Li’l Buckaroo, Ponies Only, and other event-specific classes. These are designed for community engagement, development, and fun competition.

D. Advancement From Sport to PRO (Main-Division rule)

Any horse winning 1st place in Sport and finishing < 0.5 seconds off the 3rd-place PRO time (final results) must move up to PRO the following year.
Any skier winning 1st place in Sport must move up to PRO Division the following year.

Classification Authority: Event management may reclassify teams at any time to preserve fairness and safety.

2) Competition Rules (apply to all divisions unless noted)

Helmets: All skiers must wear an approved snow-sports helmet. Eye protection recommended.
- Riders: Helmet and protective vest recommended; riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
Minors: If a competitor is under 18, a parent/guardian must sign consent and be present at the event.
Horse Workload: See cross-entry limits in §1A; Secondary entries are at the owner’s discretion with priority on fitness and health.
Same-Horse Pairings: A skier may be pulled by the same horse only once within a Main Tour Division (may repeat in Secondary divisions).
Substitutions: Allowed for horse, skier, or rider until the day before the race with PRO Skijor approval. If a listed team member cannot compete on race day, the team is disqualified. No refunds.
Staging / Start — “Sparby Rule”: After “Clear Track” is declared, each team has 2 minutes to stage and start. If time expires, the team must leave the start and may take one additional attempt at the end of the division. Exceeding time again results in disqualification for that day.
Finish Requirements: Skier must finish upright on at least one ski, rope in hand, with both boots crossing the finish line.
Gates: Both leading edge of the ski/board and both boots must pass the correct side of each gate (right of red, left of blue) or the gate is missed.
Rope Drop Before Start Line: One immediate restart is allowed.
Fitness to Compete: Technical delegates may recommend pulling a team for safety; event organizers have final say.
Age Limits: Event organizers may set minimum/maximum age by division.
Anti-Doping: Performance-enhancing drugs are prohibited. Enforcement at organizers’ discretion.

3) Penalties

Missed jump or missed gate: +2.00 seconds each.
Horse contact with a jump/gate: +2.00 seconds (No-Time if the timing device is struck).
Rings: +2.00 seconds per ring missed or dropped.
- No penalty if a ring falls off its standard before the approach or breaks on course.
- Collected rings must cross the finish line with the skier and rider (as applicable).

4) Safety

Veterinary Authority: The on-site veterinarian may scratch any horse for health/safety or sport-image concerns. The organizing committee may require a pre-race vet check.
Protective Legwear: Bell and splint boots on all four legs are strongly recommended.
Medical & Veterinary Services: If provided/used, services are billed to the beneficiary.

5) Disputes

No protests or appeals. Course officials’ decisions are final. Where judgment applies, the benefit of the doubt goes to the skier. Practice good sportsmanship.

6) Course

Length: Approximately 700–1,200 ft (start to finish); may include wide sweeping turn(s).
Run-Out: Varies by venue in length and surroundings; competitors must be aware of space, snow, and surface conditions.
Gates: Breakaway/whisker style; skier passes right of red and left of blue.
Fencing: Spectator and safety fencing used at the discretion of organizers and course setters.

7) Equipment

Rope: 25–33 ft recommended; ≥ 3/8 in diameter recommended. No handles, loops, or knots. Teams are encouraged to bring their own rope.
Attachment: To the saddle horn or behind the saddle. If behind the saddle, secure to the primary rigging rings with a narrow-diameter, non-elastic rope, positioning the pull point ~6 inches from the cantle (carabiner included).
Inspection: The Start Master (or designee) must approve rope length and attachment prior to racing.

8) Sportsmanship

By registering, you pledge humane treatment of horses and respectful conduct toward competitors, officials, volunteers, and spectators. Violations may result in disqualification and/or ban from future competitions.

9) Results, Awards & Tour Points

Posting & Payouts: Results will be announced and posted. Awards are distributed at the designated time/location. Officials’ decisions are final.
Main Tour Divisions (PRO, Sport, Women’s, Snowboard): Tour points, buckles, prizes, and cash payouts.
Secondary Divisions (Novice, All-Around): Tour points, buckles, and prizes. Cash may be offered at the event’s discretion.
“For Fun Only” Divisions (e.g., Century, Teens, Li’l Buckaroo, Ponies Only): No Tour points. Eligible for buckles/prizes, no cash payouts.

Tour Points & Finals Qualification: See the Frontier Tour Point System for how points are awarded and how teams qualify for the Championship Finals in Salt Lake City, Utah.

On-Site Policy — Dogs

We love dogs too, but for safety - especially around horses - please leave them at home. Dogs are not permitted inside event grounds. Thank you!

Quick Summary

Main Tour Divisions: PRO, Sport, Women’s, Snowboard → points, buckles, prizes, cash.
Secondary: Novice, All-Around → points, buckles, prizes; cash varies by event.
For Fun Only: Century, Teens, Li’l Buckaroo, Ponies Only → buckles/prizes; no points, no cash.
Affiliate Events: (Gallatin Skijor — Bozeman, MT; Teton Valley Skijoring — Driggs, ID): independently owned/operated; may use their own rules & protocols; points earned count toward Frontier Tour standings & Finals qualification; tickets/registration via each affiliate’s website.
No cross-entry between Main Divisions for the same horse/rider/skier at one event.
Horse: max 2 runs in its single Main Division; Secondary entries permitted based on health/fitness at horse owner’s discretion.
Skier & Rider: up to 4 team entries in one Main Division; Secondary unlimited.
Helmets: required for skiers; riders under 18 must wear helmets.
Finish: upright on ≥1 ski, rope in hand, both boots across line.
Penalties: +2s per missed gate/jump/ring; No-Time if timing device is struck.
No disputes; decisions final.
See Point System for standings & Finals qualification.

REGULATIONS & RULES