Skijoring to raise money for those with MS

The acrobatics of skijoring. Image credit: Stolen Moments Photography by Jadie.

Skijoring for MS is coming back this Saturday.

MS Ain’t Purdy has been heavily involved in fundraisers for over a decade to help support those fighting the pernicious disease of multiple sclerosis.

The Cold Lake Exhibition Park will play host to the mix between rodeo and snow in skijoring, where skiers are attached to a horse and rider, going fast and landing jumps.

“It’s a circuit race. So it’s a timed race that goes through different features and kind of like slaloms,” James Purdy, organizer. “That skier is just holding on a rope. And the horse is going as fast as they can. So it’s a lot of fun. We have some pretty high end teams, it’s very fast, very competitive.”

The idea is to support those with MS in the Lakeland area, as James’ mom Ruth explains. It takes a wide swath of people to make these events, and their intentions, to come to fruition.

“It’s really thanks to the community surrounding us and the Lakeland. Friends, family and team members. It’s a real comprehensive team effort, community effort of raising funds. We’ve been very, very thrilled with how people have been so willing to dig deep into their pockets in order to support this very worthy cause,” Ruth said. 

It’s a free event to attend, with focuses on big air, sprints, and circuits.

The teams are all submitted and entered for the day of events, with temperatures hoped to reach around the freezing point, after some days of frigid temperatures.

Several local businesses have donated in-kind or supported through sponsorships to be able to see this event run once again.

Have your butts in the stands by 11am on Saturday morning, because that’s when the first run begins.

MS Ain’t Purdy in-studio