REGULATIONS & RULES

SKIJORING UTAH RULES

  1. Divisions & Criteria
    1. Pro/Open teams are considered to be the highest skilled competitors with the fastest horses. A team consists of horse, rider and skier. Horses and skiers in the Pro/Open Division may not cross-enter into the SPORT or NOVICE divisions. Added money and unlimited team entries. 
    2. Sport (Amateur) teams are considered to be intermediate level skill participants riding horses that may not be fast enough to be in the open class.  A team consists of horse, rider and skier. Any horse winning 1st place in this class twice and less than five tenths of a second off of the third place time in the Pro/Open Division must move up to the open class for the following years event.  Any skier winning 1st place in this class twice must move up to the open class level for the following years event. Horses and skiers in the Sport Division may not cross-enter into any other division. 
    3. Novice teams are considered to be beginning level competitors riding horses that may not have speed enough to be competitive in the open or the sport class.  Any horse that wins 1st place in this class twice must move to a higher level of competition for the following years event.  Any skier that wins 1st place in this class twice must move to a higher level of competition for the following years event. Horse, rider, and skier may not cross enter into the Sport or Open class, but can cross enter into the junior or century class.
  2. Competition Rules
    1. Rules are the same for Open, Sport, Novice divisions.
    2. All skiers must wear approved snow sport helmets.  Eye protection is recommended. If skier is under 18, parent/ guardian must sign parental consent forms and be present at the event. Proof of insurance is mandatory.
    3. Helmets and protective vests are recommended for riders. If rider is under 18, parental consent form must be signed and rider must wear helmet and protective vest is recommended. Proof of insurance is mandatory.
    4. A horse may not run more than two times in a day in any of the main divisions (Novice, Sport, Pro).  However, a horse can run in secondary divisions on the discretion of the horse's owner based on the horse's fitness and health.
    5. A skier may compete up to four times in a day. 
    6. It is permissible on the 2nd run of any horse in any division, for the rider to become the skier and the skier to become the rider.  
    7. Substitutions: No substitutions are allowed for any team member (horse, skier or rider).  If any team member cannot compete for any reason, the team will be disqualified.  No refunds will be given.
    8. Staging between runs: (The Sparby Rule) each team is allowed four minutes to complete staging and begin the race.  After this allotted time has expired, the competitors will be asked to leave the staging area. The team will be allowed one more attempt to race at the end of the division.  If the staging time is again exceeded, that team will be disqualified from that day’s competition.  The allotted four-minute time period will begin the declaration of a clear track.
    9. Finishing the Race: the skier must finish in an upright position and on at least one ski, with rope in hand when crossing the finish line.  Both skier boots must cross the finish line.  
    10. Gates: both ski tips and both boots must go around a gate, or the gate is considered missed.
    11. If the skier drops the rope before crossing the start line, he/she will be allowed a restart, immediately.
    12. Technical delegates may advise event organizers to pull competitors from a race if they see the team is not fit to compete. Event organizers have the final decision.
    13. Event organizers have the right to put age limits on divisions.
    14. All performance-enhancing drugs are prohibited and will not be tolerated. Skijoring Utah and event organizers have the final say in related matters.
  3. Penalties
    1. A three (3) second penalty is assessed for each missed jump or gate.
    2. A three (3) second penalty is assessed for any horse breaking the plane of any jump, hitting a gate, or hitting a timing device (i.e. clapper boards). 
    3. There is a three (3) second penalty for each ring that is missed or dropped. 
      1. If ring falls off of standard prior to the approach, no penalty for missed ring or if ring comes apart or is broken, no penalty for missed ring.
  4. Safety
    1. Horses: the on-site veterinarian will have the authority to scratch a horse for health reasons or concerns pertaining to the safety of the horse and the image of the sport. Any member of the organizing committee can require a horse to be examined by the veterinarian prior to racing.
    2. Protective legwear: It is highly recommended that horses be outfitted with bell and splint boots on each foot (4).
    3. An ambulance crew will be on site. Service, if needed, will be charged to the benefactor. 
    4. A veterinarian will be on site. Service, if needed, will be charged to the benefactor.
  5. Disputes
    1. If a team member has a concern regarding his run, that concern must be brought to the attention of the Arena Judge as soon as possible after the run but not later than the start of the next class.  A Protest Committee consisting of 3 non-competing members, experienced in the event, schooled in the rules and selected to have no conflict of interest, will consider the concern presented and make a decision not later than the start of the next class. Technical delegates can be advisors in the protest but cannot be a judge.  The decision of that committee is final and all involved are ask to accept that decision in the spirit of friendly competition.
    2. Dispute/Protest Fee is $20 nonrefundable. 
  6. Course
    1. Length: approximately 700+ feet from start to finish gates with a big, wide turn in the middle.
    2. Run Out: Tun out is limited, please be aware of surroundings and conditions.
    3. Gates: breakaway style where skier goes right of red gates and left of blue gates.
    4. Jumps: typically three jumps, approximately five feet in height with flatten tops.
    5. Rings: typically used on straight tracks, two sets of three to four rings.
    6. Fencing: safety and spectator fencing must be put up at the discretion of organizers and course setters.
  7. Equipment
    1. Ropes are to be 33ft in length for straight courses, 3/8” or larger in diameter is recommended. Handles and loops on ropes are not permitted. Knots are NOT permitted.
    2. Attachment is to the saddle horn or behind the saddle. If the attachment is behind the saddle it must be secured to the primary rigging rings of the saddle via a narrow diameter, non-elastic rope, so that pulling rope is within an approximate six inches of the cantle, carabineer included.  Prior to the race the Start Master or his designee must approve the length of the rope and any attachment to the saddle. 
  8. Sportsmanship
    1. Good sportsmanship is important to the success of our event and the image of the community.  Your registration signature pledges your word to the humane treatment of your horse and respectful relationships to all fellow competitors and volunteers hosting this exciting competition.  Failure to comply with the spirit of friendly competition at any of the scheduled events may result in the disqualification of your team or your banishment from future competitions.
  9. Race Results
    1. Race results will be announced and posted, and prize money and awards will be distributed at a designated location.  

 

DOGS
We love dogs too!  But please leave your dogs at home for this event.  There are already a lot of people and a lot of horses.  Thank you for your understanding!