RULES ARE SOLELY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMPETITORS, BOTH HORSE AND HUMAN AND TO ENSURE FAIR COMPETITION AT THE SARATOGA SKIJORING RACES.
GENERAL RACE DESCRIPTION DIVISION AND COMPETITION CRITERIA
ALL RULES ARE REQUIRED TO BE FOLLOWED BY SARATOGA SKIJORING RACE COMPETITORS. IN OUR RACES THE STARTING GATE JUDGE HAS THE ULTIMATE SAY IN DETERMINING PARTICIPANT AND EQUINE SAFETY. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ANY INDIVIDUAL, TEAM OR COMPETITOR IN THE EVENT UNSAFE ACTIONS ARE OBSERVED. WE ALCO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL OR POSTPONE THE ENTIRE EVENT SHOULD UNSAFE CONDITIONS ARISE. FINAL AUTHORITY IN SUCH MATTERS LIES SOLEY WITH THE STARTING GATE JUDGE.
A team consists of a horse, rider and skier and will get 1 run each day. i.e. a skier can not ski behind the same horse more than one time per day, a horse may only run 2 times per day and a skier can only run a maximum of 4 times per day***
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OPEN - 3D More experienced riders and skiers.
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NOVICE/EXHIBITION CLASS (Beginners) Teams are considered to be new to the sport, beginning level competitors riding horses that may not have speed enough to be competitive in the Open or Sport. A team consists of horse, rider and skier, a skier can not ski behind the same horse more than once.
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Youth - Non competitive fun run, one participant must be under the age of 14.
SKIER- OPEN/SPORT/NOTICE RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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A skier can choose their division of competition.
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A skier may compete in only one Division, unless assisting with the youth division.
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A skier may compete up to four times in a day.
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All skiers must wear approved snow sport helmets, protective Eyewear is recommended.
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Any Skiers under 18, must have a parent/guardian sign parental consent forms.
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Proof of insurance for minors is mandatory.
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A Parent or Guardian must be present during the competition.
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Protective Eyewear and helmet must be worn during competition.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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It is strongly suggested that bindings be tested by a professional prior to skiing.
TIMING
In Novice divisions, time plus penalties will be ranked accordingly. Fastest times win, day one will be averaged with day two to arrive at the team’s weekend overall time. Buckles will be awarded to the fastest overall weekend time.
In the Open 3-D division we utilize a 1.5 second split. The split will be based on raw times to set divisions. Penalties are then assessed, overall times with penalties assessed will determine rank. Team day one raw time is averaged with day two raw time, division split set, then total penalties added to get the weekend overall time. Buckles will be awarded to the fastest overall weekend time for each division.
PRIZE MONEY
Day money will be paid to the top 4 teams of each division.
Electronic timing via kick boards will determine the official time, if a skier fails to trigger the kick board, i.e. jumps the board, the result will be a no time. In the event of timing system failure, we have backup timing place, both hand and electronic. The timing judge's and starting judge's call is final.
RIDER- OPEN/SPORT/NOTICE RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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A rider may compete in more than one division, but must compete on a different horse in each Division entered. i.e. if a rider has 2 horses they may be entered in the same or different divisions, a horse may not cross divisions.
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All riders must be on time for their runs. Any rider that cannot be ready on time due to running too many horses or horse difficulty will be moved to the back of the order. Second failure to be ready on time will result in a DQ for that run.
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Riders can only enter 2 horses per division.
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Any Riders under 18, must have a parent/guardian sign parental consent forms.
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Helmets and protective vests are recommended for all riders.
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Proof of insurance for minors is mandatory.
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A Parent or Guardian must be present during the competition.
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Helmet and protective vests must be worn during competition.
HORSE – OPEN/SPORT/NOVICE RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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A Horse can compete in only one Division.
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A horse may not run more than two times in a day. Unless competing in the youth division, which is non-competitive by nature and design, race organizers have final say here.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Leg protection (boots or polo wraps) and bell boots are recommended.
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Horses are encouraged to have a shoe that will increase traction (borium, calks, etc.) but not required.
COMPETITION RULES
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Timing, each team gets one run per day. The team’s day one time will be averaged with the day two time, and ranked. A DNF on any one day will be ranked lower than a team with two daily qualifying times.
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All participants must sign a liability waiver prior to competition. These will be available at the race registration prior to race day.
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Rope length cannot exceed 33 feet in length. No extensions or tethers from the saddle longer than 6 inches will be allowed. They will be required to be removed before your race can start. Handles are prohibited. Overhand knots on skiers end of rope is acceptable, a loop on the skier end of rope is also acceptable, teams may use their own ropes, so long as they have been inspected by the starting gate judge.
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No dogs are allowed outside of vehicles at the race venue. Pets must remain inside the cab of vehicles.
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A missed ring, including rider ring, will result in a 2 second time penalty, a missed gate / jump will result in a 5 second penalty.
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No aerial drone(s) are allowed.
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Races need to be vigilant about starting on time. Each team has a maximum of 3 minutes to start their run once called up. If a team goes beyond the 3 minute mark they will be rolled. If two no-starts occur, that team will receive a DNF.
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Rules should be clearly posted and accessible to all competitors two weeks prior to the race.
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If a horse, rider, or equipment are deemed unsafe the rider and horse can be asked to leave at any time by the starting gate judge or other Saratoga Skijoring official. This includes intoxicated / under-the-influence participants.
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If the Skier drops the rope BEFORE crossing the start line, he/she will be allowed a restart immediately after the team’s fault start. The three-minute rule restarts upon the Arena Judge's determination of a clear course. If a delay or the skier drops the rope on the second attempt to start, that team is disqualified for that run. If the Horse runs the course, the team may be dropped down (In the order at the official's discretion) a few racers to allow for reasonable recovery time. If it is the last of the division, they should be scheduled to run 1st prior to the start of the next division.
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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 between the finish line gate.
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Both ski tips and both boots must go around a gate, or the gate is considered missed.
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Participants may use batons for ring spearing, batons are not required, thus no penalty will be assessed for a dropped baton.
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All competitors must be informed of their time at the end of their run prior to the start of the competitive run. Times will be announced over the PA system.
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If a racer wants to protest, s/he will contact the nearest race official (Horse Gate Official, Timing Judge, Flag Judge or Saratoga Skijoring Race Organizer) and let them know they want to protest. Via radio course and starting gate judges will examine the situation, with consultation with the timing judge. After consultation with this three person committee the ultimate decision rests with the Horse Gate Judge and will be final. Races must be protested immediately following the run, the race will stop until the protest is settled. Once the next race rolls, you cannot protest the results
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Wyoming is windy, so deal with it! If a ring falls off of the ring standard due to wind or other forces caused by mother nature or caldera eruption, a deduction will NOT be taken, the judgment of the presiding gate judge will be final. If the wind forecast is above 40 MPH we will not set up ringstands. We have replaced magnets in 2022 to ensure the wind will not be a factor.
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All performance-enhancing drugs are prohibited and will not be tolerated. The Starting Gate Judge and the event organizers have the final say in related matters.
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Jumps RULE Horse cannot break the plane of the jump, if this happens this team will receive a no time.
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The following will result in no time and disqualification from the event:
(a) Infraction of any state or federal law which exists pertaining to the exhibition, care, and custody of horses within the State of Wyoming, Carbon County.
(b) Abuse of an animal on the track and/or evidence that an act of abuse has occurred prior to or during the exhibition of a horse in competition.
(c) Use of illegal equipment, including added wire on bits or curb chains.
(d) Failure to dismount and/or present horse and equipment to the horse official if asked.
(e) Participation under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances is prohibited.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Rules should be reviewed verbally with all competitors prior to the start of the race.
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Horses will be randomly checked for equipment. The Horse Gate Official will check all tack and how the rope is attached to the saddle. If requested by the Horse Gate Official, a rider may be asked to drop their bit.
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Gates getting hit and popping out are not reason for a flag from officials. If the rope pulls a gate out of the ground, no gate penalty will be assessed.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions in any class are allowed for any team member (horse, skier or rider), ONLY under the following circumstances:
(A) That the team member being substituted is unable to compete due to injury, family emergency, or other reason acceptable to the Starting Gate Judge, Race Director and Arena Judge, with final say being the Starting Judge Official.
(B) That substitute team member (horse, skier or rider) is eligible to compete in that class.
(C) No refunds will be given.
(D) Teams with substitutions will be considered an exhibition run and be considered out of the money with regards to the Saratoga Skijoring Race final prize, but can win day money.
(E) Substitutions must be approved prior to the start of the race, and must be approved by the race organizer.