News

2023 American Dog Derby

Come enjoy the excitement at 5th & Main on the 17th & 18th of February. Main races start at 8:30 both days Friday Celebrity race 9:30 or 10:00 Friday evening Soup challenge at the Community Center 5-7 Saturday Sign up for mutt races and snowshoe race and weight pull start at 9:30 Mutt race at 10:30, Snowshoe race to follow Weight pull starts at 12:30

Saturday Shuttle Service

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Yellow Sally River Shuttle

Yellow Sally River Shuttles will be providing shuttles from the North Fremont High School parking lot to Bear Gulch for Saturday's race.

SHUTTLE SCHEDULE

First shuttle will leave at 8 a.m.  You can be there as early as 7:30 to 7:45.  Next shuttle will leave at 8:15 depending on how  many people are there.The shuttle will be back at the parking lot around 9 and leave at 9:15 to 9:30  Depending on how many riders.
The shuttles will also bring you back to town.  

 

    2022

    This year's race will be at Bear Gulch. Because of limited parking, there will be a shuttle from the North Fremont High School parking lot to Bear Gulch.  We do not have a shuttle schedule yet so keep checking this site and our Facebook page.  Hope to see you there.

    Due to current snow conditions in town, we will unfortunately have to cancel the town events.  There will not be the snowshoe race, the mutt race or the weight pull unless we get better snow.. 

    2021 American Dog Derby

    Due to snow conditions and COVID restrictions, the derby will be held at Bear Gulch. There is limited parking there unfortunately so limited spectator opportunities exist. Please visit the dogs and mushers at the community center on Thursday afternoon at check-in.

    Schedule of Events

    Submitted by Kathy Scafe on

    FRIDAY

    FREE PARKING ON MAIN BETWEEN 6TH & 7TH STREET

    9:00 a.m.  Main Races start on Main Street leaving at 2 minute intervals 

    Noon - 2 p.m. approximately teams return to town

    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  Soup Challenge at the Community Center $2.00 per pers

    SATURDAY

    FREE PARKING ON MAIN BETWEEN 6TH & 7TH STREET

    9:00 a.m. Main Races again start on Main Street

    2019 Schedule

    Submitted by Kathy Scafe on

    THURSDAY

    2 p.m. Musher check-in at Eagle Peak Lodge

    6 p.m. Musher Meeting

    FRIDAY

    8:30 1st team leaves the start gate

    10:00 Celebrity Race

    5 to 6:30 Chamber of Commerce Soup Challenge at the Community Center

    8 p.m. Dance location to be determined

    SATURDAY

    8:30 1st team leaves start gate

    9:00 Registration for Mutt Race, Snowshoe Race Check at Souvenir Booth

    1924: Idaho Mushers Influenced Dog Sled Design

    Jake Amen's picture Submitted by Jake Amen on

    A champion Canadian team entered the American Dog Derby of 1924 and introduced the "northern" sled to the American Dog Derby. It was driven by Shorty Russak (second from left) of Montreal but Shorty did not win the 1924 Derby. Sixteen-year-old Ashton schoolboy, Ollcott Zarn (far left), upset the field of champions by winning 1924 American Dog Derby in an exciting sprint to the finish carrying one of his dogs, unconscious from exhaustion, on his sled. The northern sled had made an impression on the Idaho mushers, however.

    The American Dog Derby ~ Celebrating 100 Years Of Dog Sled Racing

    Submitted by Krystal Anderson on

    American Dog Derby

    In the high country of eastern Idaho just west of the Teton mountains lies a little town full of snow. Ashton was founded and built in 1906 because of the Union Pacific railroad. The rails were closed due to heavy snowfall during winter and weren’t plowed until spring, so Ashton became the winter rail terminus for the entire region. Mushing – a sled and rider pulled by a team of dogs - became a serious business as it was the only way mail, people, and supplies could be delivered throughout winter.

    Read more on goidaho.com

    Changes to race due to warm weather

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    Due to warm weather and trail conditions, the Tud Kent 92 mile race has been cancelled and the 10 Dog Ray Gordon race will run the same distance as the smaller 8 dog race, creating 2 classes in this distance. One 10 dog 45 mile race and an 8 dog 45 mile race. All other races will remain the same as planned. Contact our race director with any questions: 208-360-0988

     

    Tips for Staying Warm and Having Fun at the Derby

    Submitted by pamherdrich on

    Tips for Staying Warm and Having Fun at the Derby

    All of the daytime Derby events are outdoors.  It is February, so even if the sun is shining it can get cold, especially at the start.  There's alot of action at the Derby, but as a specator, you'll be standng or sitting for long periods, not moving much.  So, your body will cool down fast, especially, your fingers and toes, if you're not prepared!!!

    Suggested clothing:

    Musher Terminology

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    Ever wonder what the strange commands and mushing words mean? Read this list of common musher terms and commands so you will have a better understanding of what is going on at the starting line and along the track.

    Make plans to join the fun at the American Dog Derby in Ashton, Idaho, February 18 & 19 2012

    Jake Amen's picture Submitted by Jake Amen on

    This family oriented winter festival begins on Friday with the preliminary races and continues on Saturday, Feb 19, 2012 with the final races and events for spectators.

    Come early and experience Musher’s Row, watch as the mushers ready their teams for the race. Experience the team’s excitement as they “sing” their way to the starting line.

    Find that perfect spot along starting line row for the perfect view/pictures of the starting gate. Individual teams start every two minutes once a race begins! Cheer the dogs on as they pass you on their way out on to the course.

    Rails to Trails Magazine Highlights Derby

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    Ashton-Tetonia Trail - If you're hoping to"heel" the winter blues, then follow the mushers over to Ashton, Idaho, this February 16,17, and 18 for the annual American Dog Derby. Since 1917, dogsled enthusiasts have converged on Ashton to participate in the longest-running dogsled race in the lower 48 states. The main course runs from Ashton to Cascade Corner of Yellowstone National Park, but the derby offers a host of other competitions, including a mutt run, weight pull, snow sculpture contest and much more.