Utahns combined their love of skiing and cowboys at a skijoring competition in Heber on Feb. 14 and 15.
Skijoring is a sport where a horse pulls a person who is wearing skis. The event was organized by Ski Joring Utah.
Payton Hess, one of the event's participants, said it was her first time competing in a skijoring competition. It was also the first time she ever tried the sport, she said.
“This is my second time ever; yesterday was my first," Hess said. "So, it is exciting to be a part of this."
Hess is originally from Texas. She started skiing regularly when she moved to Utah, she said.
The Heber competition focused on speed racing through an outdoor course.
“Having to go up and down the rope as you’re running through the gates to figure out how much slack to have versus not to have was the most challenging part,” Hess said.
The competition was open to skijorers of all levels, from novice to advanced.
Maverick Fox, an advanced-level competitor, said his favorite part of the event was the adrenaline rush.
“When I was out there — especially on my last run — I really felt it," Fox said. "I love that adrenaline. I’m an adrenaline junkie."
To learn more about skijoring or to view a list of competition winners, visit https://www.skijoringutah.com.