How does someone train to become a skijoring competitor in Leadville’s annual event dating back to 1949?

“You don’t, you just do it,” said Greg Zevick, a racer from Durango.

Thousands lined the streets Saturday and Sunday of one of the highest incorporated towns in North America, with Leadville sitting 10,152 feet above sea level, to catch a glimpse of horseback riders towing skiers barreling over jumps and collecting rings to earn the fastest time in their divisions, and hopefully, the prize money.

Some racers made their way through the jump-filled course spanning four city blocks in around 15 seconds, achieving high speeds in part due to special horseshoes fitted for winter terrain.

“You kind of black out. It’s just the purest form of adrenaline, it’s hard to explain,” said Nick Burri, a competitor from Meeker.