15 Pictures Of People On Skis Being Pulled By Horses At The World Skijoring Championships

    Because it's not every day you see a man riding a horse named Cocaine pulling another man on skis with a rope over a jump. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Skijoring.

    Matt Cherette
    by Matt Cherette

    BuzzFeed Staff

    What is Skijoring, you ask? Let me tell you!

    Skijoring originated in Scandinavia about 700 years ago (it was a means of transport during winter). It is a specialized competitive sport that features people on skis being pulled by a horse, dog or motor vehicle.

    Last weekend, the World Skijoring Championships were held in Whitefish, Montana (permitting the use of only horses and mules). Here are 20 photos of the "action."

    1.

    MATT MILLS MCKNIGHT / Reuters

    Megan Hargrave, 2011 Northwest Montana Rodeo Queen.

    2.

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    Whitefish Winter Carnival Royalty and the Viking Divas pose for a picture.

    3.

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    Rider Jesse Johnston from Columbia Falls, Montana, closes his eyes during the national anthem.

    4.

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    Skier Lance Nelson is pulled over a jump by Bart Slaney atop his horse Cocaine.

    5.

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    Kristen House and her horse Gypsy pull Connor Brown towards the finish line.

    6.

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    Kathy Hanson and her horse Chief, pull Shane Jorgenson out of the starting gate during the novice division competition.

    7.

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    Jamie Tripp, and horse, Playboy, take a spill during their final run in the open division competition.

    8.

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    Jimmy Deats of the U.S. launches into the air during the long jump competition.

    9.

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    Bart Slaney of the U.S. holds tight as he is pulled through the oval-shaped skijoring course.

    10.

    MATT MILLS MCKNIGHT / Reuters

    Jimmy Deats of the U.S. takes a spill during the long jump competition.

    11.

    MATT MILLS MCKNIGHT / Reuters

    Jimmy Deats of the U.S. launches into the air during the long jump competition.

    12.

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    Marc Quest is pulled off a jump by Veron Kiser and horse Chance.

    13.

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    Brady Smedsrud is pulled over a jump by Will James and horse Cash, during the sport division competition.

    14.

    MATT MILLS MCKNIGHT / Reuters

    Marc Quest is pulled off a jump by Veron Kiser and horse Chance.

    15.

    MATT MILLS MCKNIGHT / Reuters

    Andrew Flaschenriem participates in the long jump competition, landing a winning 52.11" jump.