COMPETITOR INFORMATION

2023 BEST IN THE WEST SHOWDOWN
RULES & REGULATIONS

Big Sky Skijoring rules are designed to create a fair competitive event, as well as to ensure safety for competitors, horse and human alike. Click here for a PDF version of this information.

DIVISION AND COMPETITION CRITERIA

• OPEN CLASS: Teams are considered to be the highest skilled competitors with the fastest and most skilled horses. The Open class will consist of all match teams. Skiers are limited to 4 entries in the open. Horses and skiers entered in the Open cannot compete in the Sport or Novice. Competitors cannot enter an identical team (skier, horse, rider) more than one time.

• SPORT CLASS (Amateur): Teams are considered to be intermediate level skill participants riding horses that may not have the experience to be in the Open Class. Sport class will consist of all match teams. Skiers are limited to 3 entries in the Sport class. Horses and skiers entered in the Sport cannot compete in the Novice or Open. Competitors cannot enter an identical team (skier, horse, rider) more than one time.

• NOVICE/EXHIBITION CLASS (Beginners): Teams are considered to be new to the sport, beginner level competitors riding horses that may be brand new to the sport. Novice class will consist of all match teams. Skiers are limited to 2 entries in the Novice class. Horses and skiers entered in the Novice cannot compete in the Sport or Open. Competitors cannot enter an identical team (skier, horse, rider) more than one time.

• SNOWBOARD CLASS: Teams consist of a horse, rider, and snowboarder. The snowboard class will consist of all match teams. Snowboarders are limited to 4 entries within the snowboard class. Competitors cannot enter an identical team (snowboarder, horse, rider) more than one time.

• JUNIOR CLASS: (Kids 12 and under): Teams are considered to be kids not yet experienced enough for the Novice Class but who want to compete. This also helps build the sport for future years. Both the rider and skier must be 12 and under. There will be mandatory gates for this class and all teams will be in a match format.

• SWITCH-A-ROO: Team members must switch spots from Saturday to Sunday. To clarify, if you ski/snowboard on Saturday, then you must ride the horse on Sunday and vice versa. The same horse must be ridden each day. The Switch-A-Roo class will consist of all match teams. Switch-A-Roo competitors will use the same gates set for the Sport Division. There is no limit to how many times you can enter the Switch-a-Roo, however, you cannot enter an identical team (skier/snowboarder, rider, horse) more than once.

SKIER, RIDER FORMAT– MATCH

1. All teams in the Open, Sport, Snowboard, Novice, Junior, and Switch-a-Roo Class will follow a Match format. Skiers/Snowboarders and Riders must have a team created to enter competition.

2. All teams in the Junior Class will follow the Match format. We will work to make sure every interested junior gets the chance to compete. If we are short on Junior Riders or Skiers, an adult will be allowed to fill in, but that run will not be eligible for the buckle.

SKIER/SNOWBOARDER RULES

1. A skier/snowboarder can choose their division of competition and is not required to advance to the next class if they win their division.

   a. However, if they win a division more than once they must be able to take grief from other competitors for not moving up.

2. A skier or snowboarder must follow the division and competitor criteria for number of entries per division.

   a. Skiers must stay within their class of choice unless they enter the Switch-A-Roo or snowboard.

   b. Skiers and snowboarders cannot compete with an identical team more than once in each class.

3. All skiers and snowboarders must wear ASTM approved ‘snow sport’ helmets and goggles.

4. Protective eyewear is required.

5. Any skier/snowboarder under the age of 18 years old must have a parent or guardian sign a parental consent form. A Parent or Guardian must be present during signup and competition.

RIDER RULES

1. A Horse cannot move between Open, Sport or Novice Classes.

2. Horses are allowed to move between any of the other classes. For example, a horse can run in the Sport and Snowboard classes.

3. A Horse may not run more than two times in one (1) day.

   a. One exception can be made for horses in the Junior, Women’s and Switch-a-Roo divisions.

4. Horses should be in good physical health to participate in the extreme sport of skijoring.

RULES OF COMPETITION – GENERAL

1. Races will start ON TIME. Please be ready.

2. The Sparby Rule: Each team is allowed 3 minutes to complete staging and begin their run. After the allotted time has expired the team will be asked to leave the staging area. They will have one more chance to start successfully or they will be disqualified for that run.

3. Substitutions are allowed for any team member (horse, skier or rider) prior to the competitor meeting on Saturday. After the competitor meeting on Saturday there will be NO substitutions. Substitutions for exhibition runs will be allowed if approved by the arena judge or Colin Cook. Exhibition runs will not count towards placing.

4. If a horse, rider, or equipment is deemed unsafe the rider and horse can be asked to leave at any time by the Start Judge, Arena Judge, Big Sky Skijoring Vet or Colin Cook.

5. If the Skier/Snowboarder drops the rope BEFORE crossing the start line when the rider and horse has clearly started down the track, he/she will be allowed a restart. If the skier/snowboarder drops the rope on the second attempt to start, the team will be disqualified for that run.

6. Skiers/Snowboarders must finish with rope in hand and have at least one ski or snowboard on when crossing the finish line.

7. Skiers - Both ski tips and both boots must go around a gate, or the gate is considered missed.

8. Snowboarders must go cleanly between both brush gates or the gate will be considered missed.

9. There will be a 5 second penalty added for every missed gate.

10. Timing Equipment hit by a horse at the start will result in one warning and hitting it a second time will result in a disqualification for that run. Timing Equipment hit by a horse at the finish will result in a disqualification for that run.

11. If a horse goes through the finish but does not hit the timing equipment a 5 second penalty will be added.

12. All equine performance-enhancing drugs are prohibited and will not be tolerated. Random drug testing may take place on either day of the event.

13. Protests must be voiced by the skier/boarder or rider to the Finish Judge or Arena Judge before the start of the next run. The Arena Judge will have the final ruling before the start of the next run.

14. Any competitor has the right to throw a flag before the next run begins if they believe that the previous team has a penalty that wasn’t called.

15. If a gate is missed that isn’t flagged, competitors have the right to protest that night with “clear, 100% footage” to assess a penalty for the missed gate. A unanimous decision must be reached by the protest committee for a penalty to be assessed.

    i. This rule is put in place to keep competition fair, and integrity at the highest level. Any competitor can “call out” any other team.

    ii. Protests must be made at The Independent (50 Ousel Falls Road, Big Sky, MT 59716) at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday night for Saturday’s runs, or 4:30 p.m. on Sunday night for Sunday’s runs. Protests after this time will not be heard.

16. If a penalty is assessed at the race and a protest is lost, that call will not be changed.

DISQUALIFICATION

The following will result in a disqualification:

1. Infraction of any state or federal law which exists pertaining to the exhibition, care, and custody of horses within the state or country.

2. Abuse of an animal on the track and/or evidence that an act of abuse has occurred at any time on the premises.

3. Failure to dismount and/or present horse and equipment to the Start Judge, Field Judge, Colin Cook and/or veterinarian.

4. All horse warm-ups will be done in the warm up area.

5. Horses are only allowed to inspect during the division they are competing in. NO early inspections.

6. A slow lope ONLY is allowed during inspection. No warnings for reckless behavior.

HORSE SAFETY & TREATMENT

1. Water for horses will be available and easily accessible at the race venue.

2. The on-site veterinarian will have the authority to scratch a horse for health reasons or concerns pertaining to the safety of the horse. Any member of the organizing committee can require a horse to be examined by the veterinarian prior to racing.

3. No person may abuse a Horse during an Event or at any other time. “Abuse” means an action or omission, which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort or pain to a Horse, including, but not limited to:

   ● Whipping or beating a Horse excessively;

   ● Subjecting a Horse to any kind of electric shock device;

   ● Using spurs excessively or persistently; and

   ● Leaving a Horse without adequate food, drink or exercise.

4. Any person witnessing any of the above Abuse must report it in the form of a Protest, without cost immediately. If an Abuse is witnessed during or in direct connection with an Event, it should be reported as a Protest to an Official.

RACE EQUIPMENT

• Big Sky Skijoring will provide ropes for competitors, though competitors are allowed to bring their own ropes.

• Any rope not supplied by Big Sky Skijoring must be inspected and approved by the Start Master or his designee prior to the start of the race.

• A rope/carabiner combination cannot exceed 33 feet in length.

• Ropes must be 3/8” or larger in diameter.

• Handles are not permitted on ropes.

• Attachment must be 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 by a non-elastic attachment so that the pulling rope is within 6 inches of the cantle. A device attached to the rigging behind the cantle such as a quick release, carabiner, shackle, ring, etc. will be included in the 6 inch measurement. Prior to the race, the Start Master, or his designee may inspect any attachment to the saddle. Quick release shackles are highly recommended.

• Electronic timing and backup timing will be provided to ensure accurate competition times.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Good sportsmanship is important to the success of every event. Registration signature pledges a competitor’s word to the humane treatment of their 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 banishment from future competitions.

REFUND POLICY

Registration fees and costs for this event are non-refundable and non-transferable.