{"id":1816352,"date":"2026-03-09T18:36:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1816352"},"modified":"2026-03-09T18:36:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:36:35","slug":"pro-skijors-championship-ends-in-exciting-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1816352","title":{"rendered":"PRO Skijor\u2019s Championship Ends in Exciting Finish"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_394431\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394431\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-394431 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAMFAQMAAADeCdW\/AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFRJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADgzAD0lQABIIATXQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Photo from the big air division on February 28, 2026, in Kamas, Utah. Photo Credit: Joe Gagon\" width=\"640\" height=\"773\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-2026-03-07T205308.154.jpg?resize=640%2C773&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-2026-03-07T205308.154.jpg?w=828&amp;ssl=1 828w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-2026-03-07T205308.154.jpg?resize=248%2C300&amp;ssl=1 248w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-2026-03-07T205308.154.jpg?resize=768%2C928&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-2026-03-07T205308.154.jpg?resize=600%2C725&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"773\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-394431\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-2026-03-07T205308.154.jpg?resize=640%2C773&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Photo from the big air division on February 28, 2026, in Kamas, Utah. Photo Credit: Joe Gagon\" width=\"640\" height=\"773\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394431\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo from the big air division on February 28, 2026, in Kamas, Utah. Photo Credit: Joe Gagon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-12691028\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-12691028\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-55249794\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-55249794\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>History was made in Kamas, Utah, as the first professional skijoring league wrapped up its inaugural season and crowned its first-ever champion.<\/strong> After a six\u2011event tour, PRO Skijor\u2019s Frontier Tour came to a dramatic close in a three\u2011way tie for first place. All three top teams finished with 58 points, but Team Montana emerged victorious after winning the tiebreaker. Powered by the horse Elvis and the skier\u2013rider duo of Colin Cook and Josh Abbott, Team Montana etched its name into the record books.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <em><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/saddle-up-for-the-first-ever-professional-skijoring-series-debuting-in-utah-next-week\/\">Saddle Up for The First-Ever Professional Skijoring Series, Debuting in Utah Next Week<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Team Montana set the tone early in the season, securing wins in Heber City, Logan, and Boise. <\/strong>The pro division featured 50 teams, each earning points across the six tour stops in pursuit of the championship. Before the season began, <em>SnowBrains<\/em> spoke with Josh Abbott about the team\u2019s preparation. He highlighted the use of equine hydrotherapy, a water treadmill that leverages buoyancy and resistance to help horses build strength, improve stride, and enhance cardiovascular conditioning. In a sport that demands precision, speed, and explosive power, these training methods give top teams their competitive edge.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394432\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394432\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-394432 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAANWAQMAAABUE6\/mAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFpJREFUeNrtwYEAAAAAw6D5U9\/gBFUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPAMORQABsNAN2gAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Racing through gates and collecting rings, as the team speeds through the course in Kamas, Utah. Photo Credit: PRO Skijor\" width=\"640\" height=\"854\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?resize=640%2C854&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"854\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-394432\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/642551102_18392968153144022_6349320953394464287_n.jpg?resize=640%2C854&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Racing through gates and collecting rings, as the team speeds through the course in Kamas, Utah. Photo Credit: PRO Skijor\" width=\"640\" height=\"854\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394432\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Racing through gates and collecting rings, as the team speeds through the course in Kamas, Utah. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo?fbid=1321107093387384&amp;set=pcb.1321107120054048&amp;locale=be_BY\">PRO Skijor<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Warm, dry weather added an unexpected twist to championship week.<\/strong> With Salt Lake City facing temperatures too mild for snowmaking, PRO Skijor made the proactive decision to relocate the finale to nearby Kamas. Situated at 6,690 feet, more than 2,000 feet higher than Salt Lake City, Kamas offered colder conditions and a significantly better chance to produce the snow base needed for a safe, fast, and spectator\u2011friendly event. The change ensured that both athletes and animals could compete at the highest level.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Although skijoring has recently exploded in popularity on social media and across winter festivals, the sport\u2019s roots stretch back more than 75 years.<\/strong> The first recognized competition took place in Leadville, Colorado, in 1949. What began as a quirky off\u2011season activity for ranchers and skiers has since evolved into a dynamic blend of western culture, horsemanship, and high\u2011speed alpine skill, now culminating in a full\u2011fledged professional league.<\/p>\n<p><strong>With a successful inaugural season behind them, PRO Skijor has laid the groundwork for a new era of competitive skijoring. <\/strong>Bigger venues, stronger teams, and more national attention are likely on the horizon. And if the Frontier Tour showed anything, it\u2019s that skijoring\u2019s mix of grit, athleticism, and adrenaline has found a home with fans across the West.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Below are the top three finishers of the pro division.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_394430\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-394430\" style=\"width: 1025px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-394430 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAA5AQMAAACcWQj0AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAABpJREFUWMPtwQEBAAAAgiD\/r25IQAEAAABwYRIJAAHNQO34AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt=\"The PRO Skijor Frontier Tour final standings. Photo Credit: PRO Skijor\" width=\"640\" height=\"57\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?resize=640%2C57&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?w=1385&amp;ssl=1 1385w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?resize=300%2C27&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?resize=1200%2C107&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?resize=768%2C68&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?resize=600%2C53&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"57\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-394430\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Capture.jpg?resize=640%2C57&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"The PRO Skijor Frontier Tour final standings. Photo Credit: PRO Skijor\" width=\"640\" height=\"57\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-394430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The PRO Skijor Frontier Tour final standings. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/6253\/9685\/files\/updated_tour_standings.pdf?v=1772503242\">PRO Skijor<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-4-21962626\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-4-21962626\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"4\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-3-60251157\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-3-60251157\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Photo from the big air division on February 28, 2026, in Kamas, Utah. Photo Credit: Joe Gagon History was made in Kamas, Utah, as the first professional skijoring league wrapped up its inaugural season and crowned its first-ever champion. After a six\u2011event tour, PRO Skijor\u2019s Frontier Tour came to a dramatic close in a three\u2011way [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1816352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1816352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1816352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1816352\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1816352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1816352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1816352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}