Tyler Peterson of the Wood River Extreme Ski Joring Association said this weekend's well-groomed track is looking "fabulous" for the two-day Valentine's Day race event along Lower Broadford Road.
For the sixth year, WRESJA is bringing the sport of equestrian ski joring to Bellevue, this year to Winter Sun Ranch at 27 Townsend Gulch Rd. Part of this year's proceeds will help promote Hailey's Rotarun Ski Area, Peterson said.
"We usually have the best track on the circuit," said Peterson, who expects competitors from Oregon, Montana and Wyoming in addition to local ski joring teams. He said signs along S.H. 75 and Broadford Road will guide contestants and spectators to Townsend Road.
Racing for horse and riders and their skiing teammates begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15. One of the things setting Bellevue apart from the other stops on the ski joring circuit is the "rider ring" requirement for horsemen.
Classes in 18-and-over are Open ($150 per team), Sport ($100), Women ($50) and Novice ($50), along with Junior ages 13-17 ($30) and Pee Wee 12-and-under (free).
Registration is today, Friday, Feb. 13 starting at 6 p.m. at Mahoney's in Bellevue. Raffle tickets will be on sale at Mahoney's. After Saturday's racing, Bellevue's Silver Dollar Saloon will be the site of the 7 p.m. raffle drawing, auction and dance.
The big raffle prizes are float trips down the Payette River along with dinner certificates. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. And, after Sunday's final day of racing, awards will be presented at 6 p.m. at Mahoney's.
