Ski-joring – Horse-Drawn Ski Races | Davos

Exceptionally rare original poster for the first skijoring race in Davos (skiers are pulled by unmounted horses), commissioned in 1907 by the Spa and Traffic Association from the German artist Walther Koch, who had lived locally for years—undoubtedly so as not to fall behind St. Moritz in the race between the world's first two winter resorts: the Engadin competitors had already held the first skijoring race in 1906, which ran for about ten kilometers on the road to Champfèr and back.

Norwegian cross-country skiers had imported it a few years earlier when they were practically providing development aid in St. Moritz: in the north of Scandinavia, residents still let reindeer pull them across the endlessly wide, snowy plains during *snørekjøring* – Norwegian for string driving.

Koch's poster, featuring the horse's head protruding cheekily from the frame and the barely accurately rendered forelegs, suggests that the race was not held in a pack, but that the participants started one after the other. Was that the reason why there was only this one edition? Were the organizers simply two years too late? Or was there a lack of know-how? Was it due to an unsuitable course because the ice of Lake Davos was not stable enough? More precise information is very welcome.

In St. Moritz, at any rate, the first race marked the beginning of a tradition: Since 1907, the races—now held as part of White Turf—have taken place on the frozen Lake St. Moritz and in a pack.

more about Walther Koch:
Davos, a Winter Resort