Estes Park Equestrian Club Represents at the Inaugural Skijoring Event
By: Michelle Hurni January 29, 2025
Over the weekend of Jan 24-26, 2025, numerous Estes Park Equestrian Club members saddled
up to ride fast and pull skiers, ski and volunteer.
Haley Downey skied behind Rooftop Rodeo Princess Shayla Yeager (7 th place Sunday, junior).
Emily Herold rode Wildfire for 12 th on Saturday with team M.C. Hammer Time, pulling Anna
Weddle in novice. Michelle Hurni rode her mustang Deception for 10 th on Sunday pulling Sean
Jurgens on team Quality Deception, in novice. The theme of the weekend, even with a high of
11 degrees and snowing on Saturday, was smiles. As the horses found their stride, riders and
skiers blasted around the course.
Honorary EPEC member Holly Spreitzer was a rockstar, winning the novice division and a
buckle. KMAC donated a Via Ferrata certificate to the novice winner, so Holly will try out the
cable climbing route in Estes Park this summer. The 2016 Rooftop Rodeo Queen became a
last-minute board member of Estes Park Skijoring and stepped from the saddle into the frying
pan to organize schedules, competitor meetings and the announcers, doing double duty while
riding her three horses in both novice and sport. Michelle and Holly trained for the event with
ropework and pulling skiers on snow (using either studded shoes or studded hoofboots).
The riders might not have made it through the weekend without the indoor heated staging area,
but the volunteers didn’t have that, and they braved the weather with trademark great attitude.
Volunteers stepped up from all over town and the Rooftop Rodeo, a perfect crossover winter
event.
The event drew over 5,000 spectators and gave away $25,000 in prize money in the open, sport
and snowboard divisions. Visitors, skiers and riders came from across the country, with one
team arriving from Washington state for just their second ever skijoring event.
Kevin Benes, the organizer of Running Wild Events, says there is a three-year contract with
Visit Estes Park to run Estes Park Skijoring, and he is adamant about showcasing locals. There
were more skiers than horses, so if you are interested in riding in 2026, there will be spots
available.
Participate In Rooftop Rodeo Royalty Program
Rooftop Royalty Clinic May 11, 2024 9:00 a.m.
2024 Rooftop Rodeo Royalty Schedule
Saturday, June 29, 2024
8:00 am: Rodeo Grounds Workday and Volunteer Lunch
4:00 p.m.: Interviews
6:00 p.m. : Stage Competition
Sunday, June 30, 2024
9:00 a.m. Horsemanship Competition
Announcement of 2025 Royalty
Rooftop Rodeo Queen Névé Cooper and Attendant Jerilyn Fischer invite you to participate in the Rooftop Royalty Program!
Learn More about our current Royalty!
What is the Rooftop Rodeo Royalty Program?
The Rooftop Royalty is a youth development program for boys and girls ages 9 and 25 to preserve rodeo and the western way of life in the town of Estes Park. The royalty program provides a unique opportunity to cultivate an atmosphere for youth development while representing organizations such as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the Rooftop Rodeo, and the Town of Estes Park. Girls and boys involved in the program work behind the scenes to promote the rodeo all while developing communication skills, speech and interview skills, and valuable skills which will aid them through school and beyond. The Royalty will promote western heritage throughout Estes Park, during rodeo week, and other events throughout the year.
For more information about our royalty program please contact the Rooftop royalty coordinator and Chairperson, Holly, at royalty@rooftoprodeo.com .
Want to have the Rooftop Rodeo Queen and Attendant attend your next event?
The Rooftop Rodeo Queen and Attendant love to give back and help the community by traveling to other Rodeos, Fairs and Parades promoting rodeo and the western way of life. If you would like them to speak at your club, organization, or invite them to your next event please send an email to Holly at royalty@rooftoprodeo.com to schedule an appearance. We would love to hear from you.
EPEC News
Estes Park Equestrian Club donates to Crossroads Ministry Estes Park Trail-Gazette PUBLISHED:
Estes Park Trail-Gazette
PUBLISHED: December 27, 2022 at 10:35 a.m. | UPDATED: December 27, 2022 at 10:35 a.m.
Categories:Faith and Values, Latest Headlines, Local News, News
https://www.eptrail.com/2022/12/27/estes-park-equestrian-club-onates-to-crossroads-ministry/amp/
The Estes Park Equestrian Club continued its tradition of donating to community service organizations with a five hundred dollar check to Crossroads Ministry.
Kim Lankford Banker, President and Kathy Walker, Vice President awarded the check to Crossroads Ministry. Ava Bañuelos, Case Manager, stood in for Brian Schaffer, Executive Director, to accept this year’s donation.
Crossroads Ministry Crossroads assists struggling Estes Valley neighbors with food, clothing, rent, utilities and other basic needs. Qualified clients may also receive financial or material assistance for medications, household items, gasoline vouchers or school supplies. Crossroads also provides long-term assistance through education and enrichment programs to help participants become self-sufficient.
Estes Park Equestrian Club is a diverse group of equestrians whose mission is to promote and educate responsible horsemanship, and to encourage the continued legacy of horse use in the Rocky Mountain Region. While promoting responsible horsemanship, EPEC has continued to support the Estes Park community through its fundraising and volunteer activities.
