Criss Cross Racing

While I cannot physically go into classrooms to present about dogsledding, I’ve been doing lots of virtual field trips to classes all over the US and Canada. Today two SK classes got to learn all about sled dogs and dogsledding, and about the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon which is happening this weekend! The virtual visits allow me to take the classes out into the dog yard, and introduce them to all the sled dogs. While I cannot compete in any races this year, this has been a great way to continue sharing my passion with others!

It’s been a busy few weeks here at Criss Cross Racing! The construction on my dog box was mostly completed just before Christmas. With the help of my dad and John from TilKa Construction we got the majority of the build done in one day. Over the holidays I was able to paint the box and install the doors. A few finishing details still need to be completed, including aluminum trim around the corners, as well as individual Dog Door Sponsor plaques installed, and the major sponso...r banner installed on the back. Due to Ontario being in another lockdown, the finishing details are on hold and will be finished once regulations allow. This season the dogs and I had been training vigorously for the Canadian Challenge Race in February. Due to the COVID situation across Canada, the race committee made the decision to cancel the race due to the ever changing covid guidelines. It was a bummer to learn, but not unexpected. The dogs will keep getting run, and we are looking forward to the 2022 season. Snow conditions have been pretty poor in our area, with it having rained only a few days ago and melting the bit of snow we did have. When I have been able to get out with the dogs, I’ve been working on leader skills with my two yearlings. They are shaping into an awesome pair and will be ready to rock next season. I am also very excited to welcome back Sled Dog Strength and Conditioning HQ to the Criss Cross Racing Team. Bobby has been a wonderful supporter of the team, and has helped me work on being the best team member I can be for the dogs!! Happy Trails!! #kandscontracting #sleddogstrengthandconditioning #benbakerdrivencarscanada #gearupforoutdoors #georgesmarket #lupinelights #tilka

A farewell to 2020. The last sunset of the year behind an awesome group of dogs. #kandscontracting #sleddogstrengthandconditioning #benbakerdrivencarscanada #gearupforoutdoors #georgesmarket #lupinelights

Snow! Sure makes both dogs and musher happy! Dogs are really rocking every run. I come home after each run saying it was the best run yet, because they just keep getting better and better. Jitterbug and Brooks are become quite the deadly leader duo, constantly wanting to up the pace and not stop, not to mention becoming rock solid on commands. This group of dogs is a ton of fun to work with, and is such a happy group to just get out and run. Ps. Criss Cross Racing hats shou...ld be in this week and ready to get sent out! #kandscontracting #sleddogstrengthandconditioning #gearupforoutdoors #lupinelights #georgesmarket #tilka #benbakerdrivencarscanada

I am excited to welcome back K & S Contracting to the Criss Cross Racing Team. K&S have been big supporters of me and my goals for years. They have been there every step of the way. Thank you to everyone at K&S for the continued support! #kandscontracting #sleddogstrengthandconditioning #gearupforoutdoors #georgesmarket #LupineLights #tilka

End of November and we finally have some snow. Hoping it sticks. Have had some good runs this week, and dogs are looking strong. Leaders Jitterbug and Brooks rocked taking commands onto new trails today like champs. Looking forward to hitting some race trails with those two leading the way. #kandscontracting #benbakerdrivencarscanada #gearupforoutdoors #georgesmarket #LupineLights #tilka #sleddogstrengthandconditioning

George’s Market has been a major contributor to keeping the dogs fed for the past 4 years. Twice weekly the dogs get a box of scrap meats from George’s and it helps fuel the dog’s day to day! A huge thank you to the amazing staff at George’s Market for the continued support!!

I will be placing an order for Criss Cross Racing toques with our logo on the front. I would like to get an estimate of how many people would be interested in buying a toque! If you would be interested please let me know so I can get rough numbers on how many to order. Thanks!

The dogs and I are loving the fresh snow we received overnight. Hopefully more is on the way and we can be on sleds soon!! We still have one dog box available for sponsorship. Dog bios will be posted soon! #gearupforoutdoors #tilka #lupinelights #kandscontracting #georgesmarket #benbakerdrivencarscanada

Want to help out the team this season? The first opportunity to sponsor the crew this year is sponsoring a dog door. Since most of the races I usually compete in are in the states, I’m taking the year to upgrade gear for next season as well as compete in races I can within Canada. The first of big gear upgrades for me is a new dog box. I currently have 15+ year old dog boxes on a trailer that are in need of replacing. Now that I have a truck, with the help of some friends I... will be building a dog box to go on top of the bed of my truck. It’ll have 6 big boxes (built in dog kennels) to easily transport the dogs to and from races. Each of the 6 doors will be available to sponsor. If you sponsor a dog door, a permanent metal plaque will get put above the door with your name on it, and will be visible on the dog box for as long as I own it. This is a one time sponsorship, but will allow your sponsorship to be recognized for years to come. If a business would like to help in the sponsorship of the dog box, a sign will be made and put on the back of the box with the logos of all sponsors. This’ll be easily visible anywhere the dogs and I travel. If this is something you would like to do, please send us a message! Only 5 doors are left and available to sponsor!