Anthony Marrone '10, a studio art major with a concentration in ceramics, took part in the New London Winter Carnival's ski joring competition on Saturday, Jan. 31, on the field behind the Curtis L. Ivey Science Center. The event, hosted by the North East Ski Joring Association, involved horses with riders pulling skiers over a snowy obstacle course. Marrone was the only student from Colby-Sawyer to participate, and he was the lone snowboarder to compete. He was pulled by New London resident Chris Butler and his horse.
How long have you been riding?
Since 5th grade, so about 10 years. I was first introduced to snowboarding through the Tamworth (my hometown) Outing Club's weekly ski program. Every Friday through the winter months, the Tamworth Elementary School, along with a few other surrounding towns, participates in a ski program at King Pine Ski Mountain in Eaton, N.H., made possible by a large number of local volunteers. We were given a half day of skiing in order to help promote outdoor activity and exercise in our youth. When I reached 5th grade, the school began to allow snowboarding if enough volunteers were willing to teach. That's when I switched over, and I have never gone back to skis.
Why did you decide to participate in the ski joring competition?
I only just learned about the sport about a week before the event from a friend, Chris Butler. He was interested in representing the school in some way at the event, seeing as we were hosting parts of the winter carnival. I told him that I would give it a shot after watching a few videos, and met him there on the day of the competition.
Can you describe what it was like?
I would have to say it was definitely a good time. I had never been pulled behind a horse before on my board so I didn't really know what to expect, but it wasn't that much different than riding down a mountain. The hardest part was just holding onto the rope because there was no bar to hold onto, like on a wakeboard or water-skis.
Would you do it again?
Sure, I would do it again. I love snowboarding, and it was a pretty new and interesting way of doing it.
