STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

It’s like waterskiing on snow but with the thundering engine of a 1,500-pound horse.

Get ready for the Wood River Extreme Ski Joring Association’s races today and Sunday at a new location south of Bellevue.

Two days of races will bring competitors from Idaho and other states to test their skills on an 800-foot course. A horse and rider will pull a skier behind them—that skier tasked with spearing rings like knights of yore while jumping jumps made of snow as he or she vies to become first across the finish line.

Teams can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour as they vie for a $5,000 purse.

“It’s an adrenaline rush for sure—a rush I can’t explain,” said RJ Klotz. “I was a competition ski racer for 14 year so a lot of it comes naturally for me. Throw in the horse factor—not knowing what kind of a day they’re having or what kind of footing they’re having—and that definitely adds an unknown into the equation.”

The event will take place at high noon and run through 4 p.m. today and Sunday, Feb. 16 and 17, at 81 Browning Lane in the Bellevue Triangle. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs but leave their dogs at home.

Admission is $5 for adults. Kids 10 and under will be admitted free.

A post-race party will be held Saturday night at Mahoney’s Bar & Grill in Bellevue, with the awards ceremony at 7 Fuego restaurant in Bellevue after the races are over.

This year’s event benefits the Wood River High School rodeo team.

For more information, visit www.woodriveresja.com.