The 7th Annual Best in the West Showdown transformed Big Sky Town Center into a high-speed winter sports spectacle, drawing record crowds and highlighting the growing popularity of skijoring. Over 6,000 spectators witnessed top-tier athletes and horses navigate challenging courses featuring tight gates, steep bank turns, and spectacular flaming gap jumps during the three-day event.
The competition featured multiple divisions that demonstrated remarkable athletic prowess. In the Open Ski Division, Richard Weber and Jim Ryan claimed first place with an impressive 37.26-second combined time, showcasing exceptional speed and technical skill. The Pro Snowboard Division saw Kurt Layton dominate, securing the top three team positions through strategic teamwork with Lucas Garrett, Kimber Cook, and Steve Noyes.
Beyond traditional racing, the event introduced innovative elements like the Slopestyle Expo, which merged skijoring's western roots with contemporary freestyle sports. Professional skiers and snowboarders, including Luke Price, Bryan Coll, Rhett Leuzinger, and Viktor Simko, performed intricate tricks while being pulled by horse-mounted wranglers, representing a creative evolution of the sport.
The event's nationwide broadcast on the Cowboy Channel significantly expanded its audience reach, signaling skijoring's emergence as a compelling winter sports entertainment format. The combination of traditional western sporting culture with modern athletic performance has positioned the Best in the West Showdown as a pivotal event in winter sports entertainment.
Justa Adams, Executive Director of the Big Sky Skijoring Association, emphasized the event's community-building aspect, noting the inclusive atmosphere that brings together families, athletes, and spectators. The organization's mission to preserve and innovate western sporting traditions was clearly evident throughout the weekend's performances.
With increasing attendance, expanded programming, and growing national interest, the Best in the West Showdown demonstrates skijoring's potential to become a mainstream winter sports attraction. The event not only celebrates athletic skill but also preserves and reinvents a unique cultural tradition that bridges western heritage with contemporary sporting innovation.
