Watch video Here of rider Megan Reader and skier Amy Engle skijoring on North Mesa. Videographer/Joanna Casson
The last storm to hit New Mexico dumped almost eight inches of snow in Los Alamos. Being a bit snow-starved this year, a group of horse enthusiasts at the stable area on Los Alamos’ North Mesa decided to take the opportunity to enjoy a high-octane horse-powered sport: skijoring.
In skijoring, a horse (or in this case, pony) pulls a person on skis or even a snowboard. Skijoring is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning ski driving. Many U.S. cities, including Silverton and Steamboat Springs, Colo., hold skijoring races in which a rider guides the horse while the skier navigates a series of jumps and obstacles.
While we didn’t have enough snow or a good downhill to build a jump course, we did have skis and a very willing pony! We only wish it would snow more so we could get out and do this more often.