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.

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

1) Divisions & Eligibility

A. Main Tour Divisions

CORE DIVISIONS

PRO: 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: 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.

NON-CORE DIVISIONS

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.
ALL-AROUND: Switch-a-roo combined format - the listed rider and skier swap roles (each rides once and skis once). 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.

Division Entry & Crossover Limits

SCOPE

These rules apply to tour-only divisions (PRO, SPORT, Women’s, All-Around, Snowboard). They do not apply to Just for Fun divisions - see that section for its rules. Tour only divisions are eligible for Tour points, buckles, prizes, and cash payouts. Tour membership is optional. You can enter any stop without joining the Tour and still win that event’s buckles, prizes, and cash payouts in your division. Tour membership (PRO Card) is only needed for season points, rankings, and Championship Finals eligibility.

CORE Divisions: SPORT & PRO

NON-CORE Divisions: Women’s, All-Around, Snowboard

Purpose

Maximize racing opportunities at each tour event while keeping things safe, fair, and simple - especially for teams traveling the tour.

Core Rules (Who Can Do What)

RIDER

Max per tour event: 8 total runs
Max 4 in core, all in a SPORT or PRO, or split them - as long as horse limits and pairing rule are met.
Up to 4 more in a non-core division, or split across non-core divisions (women's, all-around, snowboard) as long as horse limits and pairing rule are met.

SKIER

Core Division: Pick PRO or SPORT (no Skier crossover between them).
Core Division Entries: up to 4 teams in your chosen core division, each behind a different horse.
Optional non-core add on: up to 2 additional teams total across Women’s / All-Around / Snowboard; as long as horse limits and pairing rule are met.
Non-Core Division Only: up to 4 teams total across non-core divisions, as long as horse, rider limits and pairing rule are met.

HORSE

Core divisions: up to 2 teams total in either PRO or SPORT (not both).
Tour division cap: up to 4 teams total.
Owners/Riders must ensure fitness for the planned workload. YOU decide if your horse is capable of participating on up to 4 teams.

Per-Division Pairing Rule

The same Skier–Horse pairing may appear once per individual division as long as all horse, rider, skier limits are honored (e.g., once in SPORT, once in Women’s and once in All-Around, if horse/rider/skier limits are met).

Quick Cross-Check

RIDER ≤ 8 total runs per tour event (up to 4 in core divisions and up to 4 in non-core divisions)
SKIER: choose PRO or SPORT; ≤ 4 in that core (each behind a different horse);

If core-entered: +2 total across non-core.
If non-core-only: ≤ 4 total across non-core divisions.

HORSE: ≤ 2 in either PRO or SPORT (not both); + 2 in non-core. ≤ 4 tour-event-wide.
Same Skier–Horse: once per division.

Examples (Brief)

Core + Non-core: If Sally (Skier) and David (Rider) run Mister Ed (horse) in PRO, they may also run Mister Ed in All-Around (different division = allowed).
Non-Core-Only: A Skier may run 4 total non-core teams (e.g. 1 Women’s, 2 All-Around, 1 Snowboard).
Horse Cap: A horse can be used twice in PRO and twice in Women’s = 4 tour-event-wide max (legal).
Numerous combinations exist. All horse/rider/skier limits and division pairing rules apply to any combination.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Driggs & Bozeman

Driggs and Bozeman are affiliate races (independently owned/operated); their rules and limits may vary. Tour points will be tracked at these stops for registered PRO Card teams who have declared for the tour. If affiliate limits differ, teams should strategize entries at those stops to optimize tour points and standings.

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

(No Tour points; eligible for buckles/prizes; and may not include cash payouts)
Examples include Novice, Century, Teens, Li’l Buckaroo, Ponies Only, and other event-specific classes. These are designed for community engagement, athlete and team development, and fun competition.

Emerging Talent Invite: Stand out in a Just-for-Fun division and you could be invited to showcase at the Championship Finals. We’ve set aside $2,500 in prizes for invited JFF teams. Invitations are discretionary - no formal qualification or points - but we’re watching for effort, sportsmanship, and crowd-pleasing runs. Bring your best, have fun, and put your name on our radar as the future of the sport.

LIMITS & CROSS-ENTRY

HORSE or RIDER

Event Max: 4 total runs
Novice: up to 2 teams total
Other Just for Fun divisions: up to 2 teams total
Owners/Riders must ensure fitness for the planned workload. YOU decide if your horse is capable of participating on up to 4 teams.

SKIER

Event Max: 4 total runs
Novice: up to 2 teams total
Other Just for Fun divisions: up to 2 teams total

The same Skier - Horse pairing may appear only once per individual division. (For instance - the same pairing could appear in Novice and Century, but could not appear twice together in Novice. But, the horse/rider can pair with another skier in the same division up to a total of 4 appearances per Horse, Rider, Skier).

*PRO Skijor officials reserve the right to make exceptions for limits in the Teen, Lil Buckaroo and Pony Only division with the intent of giving people the chance to try.

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 & Protests

No protests or appeals. Here’s how we keep calls fair - and the show moving. A paid ski-racing judge reviews every run in the production trailer with multi-camera, multi-view 4K replay. They watch every gate on the course live with replay and slow-mo when needed. Decisions are made from close=up video monitors in real time, so no protests/appeals - fans get more racing, less downtime.

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, All-Around, Snowboard): Tour points, buckles, prizes, and cash payouts.
“For Fun Only” Divisions (e.g., Novice, Century, Teens, Li’l Buckaroo, Ponies Only, etc): 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, All-Around, Snowboard → points, buckles, prizes, cash.
For Fun Only: Novice, 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.
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.

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.

REGULATIONS & RULES