Nicki

Nicki is our tireless and relentless lead dawg.  Nicki and her family have always had a fond passion for animals.  They currently have horses, chickens, rabbits, a cockatiel, and a small recreational kennel of sled dogs. Nicki has been involved in dog powered sports since 1987 when she and her family became involved in Weight Pull events.  Since then she has added mushing and ski-joring.  Nicki spent 10 years as a dog project leader in the Poudre Pioneers 4-H club in Larimer County, Colorado and worked to make dog sledding a recognized 4-H project.  Nicki has successfully competed in dog pulls and sprint racing events in Colorado, Michigan, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho as well as Canada. Nicki started her own dog training business, Arndt Racing aNd Dog Training, in 2001 and currently offers private and group dog training classes and clinics using the highly effective and positive clicker training technique.   To learn more about mushing, clicker training or the Bitterroot Mushers contact Nicki at 406-369-0707 or darbarians@mailaka.net

Kathie

With my profile following Nicki's, you would be correct in assuming that this is exactly how I was hooked on dog sledding.........Already a dear friend of ours, she became my inspiration and knowledgeable mentor, two years ago.  It started so simply....trying HER sled with HER dogs.  Then, a fantastic opportunity presented itself, in my being able to buy a (used) sled (check out new ones at Adanac!), harnesses and towlines.  By this time, we had raised our first two Siberian Husky puppies.  This meant, we were still "needing more dogs."  This was my husband's "transition period" of becoming a "dog person."  Nicki and I attended the Seeley Lake and Race to the Sky events for the past few years together.  Through these contacts, I met Steve Riggs who lives near Seeley Lake.  Steve had "too many dogs" at the perfect time, that we didn't have enough.  He GAVE to us, three more purebred Siberians!  Nikko and sister Misha were now part of a real pack.........Demon and Brandi are my lead dogs with their sister Shadow behind them.  Nikko and Misha are in wheel position.  They were trained in long distance runs with Steve............my longest so far has been about ten miles.  They love to RUN, seeming almost to be smiling as they go by!  This sport is fun, challenging, exciting and always a learning experience.  Now, with new harnesses and towlines, only one thing appears to be missing............to even out my team.........don't I NEED ONE MORE DOG????

Marina

Marina McGourty, age 11, is a two year veteran musher.  Under the guidance of mentor Nicki Arndt, Marina started training her first dog Licorice as a young puppy.  Soon after, two veteran dogs, Carmel and Rolo joined the team.  In early 2008, a fourth team member, a puppy named Fudge, was added to complete Marina's four dog team.  The dogs are a mixture of Shepard, Alaskan Husky and Yellow Lab.  Marina is dedicated to her dogs and trains 12 months a year.  The dogs keep in shape in the spring and fall by pulling a motorless riding lawn mower on short 2-4 mile runs.  In the summer when it is too hot to pull long distances, the dogs take turns pulling chains around the yard to keep their legs strong.  As with all sled dogs, Marina's dogs live to pull.  Their enthusiasm is contagious.  Marina is looking forward to the upcoming 2008-2009 season and someday hopes to compete in Alaska's Iditarod

Aiyana

Aiyana Ferraro lives west of Corvallis Montana and currently has five dogs in her kennel.  With 3 younger brothers, Aiyana stays busy taking care of dogs and helping out mom and dad.  Aiyana owns dogs who have run in Alaska's Iditarod dog sled race, a race she hopes to compete in with her dad (Doug) some day.