By Tyler Grimes
The weekend forecast called for cold temperatures and a chance of snow – ideal conditions for sled dog racing, one would think. But for the participants of Colorado Mountain Musher’s Dryland Mush, snow could mean race cancellation.
But the snow held off and the 7th annual Dryland Mush was held at Adventure Unlimited (AU) outside Buena Vista on Nov. 10-11. All four events were held despite the cold.
The races are: Canicross; – contestants run with their leashed dogs; 1-2 dog Scooter-jor; – dog(s) pulls contestants on scooters; Bike-jor; – bikes are outfitted to connect to the pulling dogs; and the Small Team Cart; – a max of four dogs pulling contestants by cart. Each race took place on both days and the combined times determined the winners.
Dryland mush began as a means to train sled dog teams in dry climates. Different events help trainers prepare their teams for different races. “Some events train the dogs to pull lots of weight long distances to prepare for races like the Iditarod,” said Dryland Mush race contact Judy Wait. “Other events prepare the dogs for s
horter, faster races like skijoring.” Climate change has evolved a training activity into a sport. “As it gets dryer and warmer, (dryland mush) becomes an event all its own,” said Wait.
The event was hosted by Colorado Mountain Mushers (CMM). CMM began in 1989 with the goal “to foster novice and family racing along with other working-dog-associated winter sports by organizing a fun racing circuit of professional quality; encouragement of new mushers, and to promote and foster the well being of sled dogs.” There is a race in Hartsel the weekend after Buena Vista, and four more races within the next year. CMM advocates the responsible care and humane treatment of dogs.
Veterinarian Susan Darling volunteered her time to help ensure the dogs safety during the mushing. The dogs racing at the AU course seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. “The dogs love it,” said Wait.
Participants in the events were as varied as the dogs they raced with. Ten-year-old Micah Ram was the youngest racer. He ran the Canicross with his Husky, Isabel. Sophia Koepke, age 14, raced in the Small Team Cart behind dogs that she trained herself. Event organizer and Cart race winner Michael Carr rode behind his team of four Rottweilers. The Rottweilers overcame a confused start after getting away from the cart on the opening stretch. Janet Saxon, with her German Shorthair and Alaskan Husky, raced in all events but the Cart race.
“I’ve done this race since it started,” said Saxon, from Golden, of the Buena Vista Dryland Mush. Saxon runs the races to prepare her and her dogs for skijoring. Two years ago the team traveled to Norway to compete in skijoring. Despite their experience, the dogs still have room for improvement as Barclay (the German Shorthair) demonstrated by running around Saxon’s bike after the bike-joring. “He gets distracted at the finish when people are around,” Saxon said, laughing, after the race.
Racers show up more for the fun and camaraderie than the competition. A row of campers parked beside the hay barn at AU was the weekend home for many racers and their dogs. On Saturday evening a gathering was held at the Valerie Lodge at AU for race participants to gather. “Some races are very serious and competitive,” said Wait, “but this is really laid-back. Everyone’s just having a good time.”
Visit colomtnmushers.org for details.
