Golden’s western roots and mountain spirit came together this past weekend as the inaugural Spurs & Skis skijoring event made its debut at the Reflection Lake gravel pit.
Held Saturday, February 14th near the rodeo grounds, the first-ever competition brought together horses, riders, and skiers for a high-speed winter showcase that drew strong attendance from across the community and beyond. More than 30 teams competed in Open, Amateur, and Junior divisions, with participants from Golden, Brisco and Alberta, taking to the snowy course.
Spectators arrived at the event site early in the day, while many others gathered along the surrounding hillside to watch the action unfold — a testament to the level of interest and support for the event, even within the capacity limits set for its first year.
For Shelley Black, president of the Golden Light Horse Club and one of the main organizers behind the event, the day was about more than just competition.
“This event has been an idea for a long time,” said Black. “Golden is known for skiing, but we also have such a strong Western community. Skijoring brings those two cultures together in a way that feels really natural for our town.”
Skijoring pairs a horse and rider with a skier or snowboarder, racing through a timed course. Unlike showcase-style demonstrations, Golden’s event was structured as a true competition, giving local riders and skiers the opportunity to test their skills in a supportive but challenging environment.
The course itself was built by local contractor Garrett Cox, who also competed during the event.
“It was a unique experience to help build the track and then race on it,” said Cox. “We worked hard to create something that was safe for the horses but still exciting and competitive. The turnout and the energy from the crowd really made it worth it.”
Safety remained a top priority throughout the day, beginning with a mandatory competitor meeting and continuing with volunteers stationed along the course. Fire pits, a canteen, and a beer garden helped keep spectators comfortable during the winter event.
Even with the attendance limits for the inaugural year, the strong turnout and interest have already sparked discussions about how the event could grow in future years.
“This was year one, and there’s always learning involved,” said Black. “But the community showed up in a big way. That kind of support gives us confidence that this can become a long-standing winter tradition in Golden.”
For many who attended — ticket in hand or watching from the hillside — Spurs & Skis represented something distinctly Golden: a blend of western grit and mountain adrenaline, shared by a community proud of both.
