COLD LAKE - The anticipation is building as Skijoring for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) returns for its fourth year on March 8 at the Cold Lake Exhibition Park.
The event, which blends horseback riding with skiing and snowboarding, kicks off at 11 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by a day packed with thrilling competitions, family-friendly activities, and fundraising for MS Canada.
Speaking about the origins of the event, event organizer James Purdy says, “It started originally just because we thought it was the coolest thing ever.”
Purdy, who has multiple sclerosis, has been fundraising for MS Canada for 17 years, helping raise awareness - and nearly $700,000.
Sponsorships from local businesses play a crucial role in fundraising efforts.
“We spend a lot of time fundraising and the majority of the funds that we raise for this event is through corporate sponsorships,” Purdy explained. “We're actually over $25,000, I'm pretty sure already. The event hasn't even started.”
The goal for this year is to raise $35,000.
Skijoring combines Purdy’s two passions, horses and snowboarding, bringing together two distinct communities.
“As a family, we're really into horses and we're really into snowboarding. So, we got into it because we thought it was just the coolest thing ever, mashing those two different communities together. It's really who our family is.”
The event will feature three major competitions - the Circuit Race, Sprint Race, and the adrenaline-pumping Big Air Competition. In addition to the races, attendees can enjoy a concession, horse and wagon rides, a Kids Zone, a silent auction, and beer gardens.
“This one's going to be bigger and better,” said Purdy. “We’re always adding in more. The track always gets bigger and better. We're adding a bigger kid zone in this year.”
Over 50 teams are expected to compete, including teams traveling from as far as south of Calgary and even some who compete professionally in the United States.
“They're from south of Calgary, but they go down to the States and compete at professional levels doing this,” Purdy explained. “And we've gotten to know them and become friends with them just by us attending different events ourselves and networking.”
Beyond the competition, Skijoring for MS is now a major fundraiser for MS Canada.
“As soon as we wanted to do this cool event . . . in our hearts we knew it was going to be a fundraiser for MS Canada because that's one of our main priorities,” said Purdy.
For Purdy and his team, keeping the event free for spectators is important.
“It's such a good show. Nothing much better to do on a beautiful, sunny winter day. It might feel like spring by the time we get there,” said Purdy.
