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Salto/Salten Haflinger sleigh races and skijoring

Both disciplines won by the races' favourites

CHIARA with owner and driver Heinrich Zöggeler

Kathrin Erschbamer’s CAYA D’OR, pictured with Siegfried Plattner in the saddle and Tobias Plattner on skis

Having previously cancelled the race due to the pandemic, the San Genesio/Jenesien Haflinger Breeders’ Association recently decided to go ahead with the event at the urging of its members. Which is why the tournament was held on 30 January 2022 – with a number of conditions and restrictions in place and, so to speak, as a preparation for the County Championships on 13 February in the Sarentino/Sarntal valley.

Despite a recent spell of warm weather, luckily there was plenty of snow left on the Salto/Salten mountain ridge. And with the tracks groomed to perfection, the contestants had to compete over two rounds of sleigh racing followed by one round of the ever-spectacular skijoring.

Living up to her role as the sleigh race’s favourite, Roland Pechlaner’s O-HARA successfully defended her title with Patrick Straudi in the driver’s seat. Robert Plattner’s UMANA, too, won the Older Mares’ skijoring race for the third time in a row. And in spite of their relative inexperience, the Three-Year Old Mares mastered their first competitive performance on snow with great courage and grace – with Heinrich Zöggeler’s CHIARA winning the sleigh race and Kathrin Erschbamer’s CAYA D’OR prevailing in the skijoring race.

Results: sleigh races and skijoring