Jackson Hole Cutter Races
The Jackson Hole's prime winter event is the Shriner's Cutter Races, complete with horses, snow, sleds and betting. The race has been making local news headlines for generations, now thirty five years. In fact, locals and tourists enjoy this festive and action packed event, not so much for the cold chill, but the daring racing of cowboys and riders, as well as the excuse for a good after race party that it provides. The race is hosted by the famous Shriners who sole intention is to raise funds for children's needs and their two main hospitals for children in Canada and the United States.
For decades, Jackson Hole in Wyoming has been the central point of the Shriner's fundraising event called the Cutter Races. This wintertime race has all the makings of a summertime horse race with all the chill and adventure of the snow and ice. People flock from across the state and beyond to participate in this exciting time where men and horses compete for a prize and the remaining proceeds help children in dire need of medical and other support across Wyoming and North America.
The race has all the excitement of a weekend on the town and is considered one of the rowdiest of the calendar year for Jackson Hole. The race takes place at the Melody Ranch Racetrack and cutters gather, looking like modern day Roman chariots with teams of two horses each. The track is lined with cheering spectators, all backing up their favourite teams, putting bets on those they choose and all come together afterwards for the tailgate party to remember. However, everyone keeps in mind that this is all for charity and so many people keep themselves as amicable and well-behaved as possible as it is all to help children with needs. In fact, some of the proceeds support the twenty-two Shriner's hospitals across the United States, Canada and Mexico with specializations in burn care and orthopaedics.
The race has its fair share of casualties, even if it sometimes the weather. It attracts some two thousand visitors annually and most especially for the tailgate party which runs for two solid days. The main funds go to the Shriner's children's hospital in nearby Salt Lake, Utah. The event has raised as much as $10K annually.
The origins of the Cutter Race date back to 1953, from a news coverage story in the March edition of 'Time' magazine. After numerous preliminary races and nine levelled races are run, the final All-American Cutter-Racing Championship heads off at full speed down Broadway Street before ending with the final party. Ironically, some of the horse entered are owned by some of the local bar and restaurant owners, so they open up their bars till late into the wee hours of the morning, including the Silver Dollar Bar.
The races have not changed much over the years and locals pride themselves on the fact that they have the Roman Empire on their doorstep. Unfortunately, the racetrack has changed somewhat, being straightened so much that getting the perfect photographs of charging cutters, riders and horses can be more challenging than it seems. Horses run a full ¼ mile and originally the former track had some curves which made it easier for visitors and media people to snap shots of their favourite teams.
Contact: Bob Zimmer 1-307-733-4052 or Jerry Vhoorhes 1-307-733-9646
Location info: Melody Ranch Race Track
Jackson Hole, WY Weather
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