Red River, N.M., a mountain resort destination perfect for summer hiking and winter skiing, has delved into a new kind of sporting event for the first time. The town will saw its first annual Red River Skijoring races Jan. 16-Jan. 17.

While not a terribly common winter sport in the United States, skijoring has European roots and was first seen in the Southwest in the mid-20^th century, when horses, rather than ski lifts, were used to tow skiers. Today, skijoring includes timed skiers being pulled by galloping horses at speeds up to 40 mph on courses that can be straight or rounded, with various intermittent obstacles and jumps.

The Red River event was the first out of the Skijor America series of races, in which competitors fight to win large cash prizes throughout the season.