February 2, 1999. Copyright, 1999, Graphic News. All rights reserved

ÔWHITE TURFÕ MEETING AT ST MORITZ
By Midge Todhunter

LONDON, February 2, Graphic News:  THE GLITZY surroundings of St Moritz, SwitzerlandÕs traditional playground of the rich and famous, is the setting for an extravaganza of equine winter sport whrere horseracing of all kinds takes place on three consecutive Sundays in February.
Known, understandably, as the White Turf Meeting, one of the main attractions is the Skikjšring Trophy Ð a spectacular event where racehorses harnessed to skiers wearing special protective garb compete at breathtaking speeds across the snow-covered surface of the frozen lake.
Skikjšring began in 1906 and is unique to the St Moritz area. The sport has its own set of rules and the competitors (usually professional ski instructors) must be highly skilled in both skiing and horsemanship.
Recognised as the true heroes of the White Turf event, the intrepid skiers and their steeds Ð limited to 12 per race Ð burst across the lake in a cloud of snow, raising the crowd to fever pitch.
Swiss-born Erich Bottlang, 38, who won the 1996 running with his black stallion Arabian Star, only took up skikjšring five years ago and has been captivated by this exhilarating sport ever since: ÒNo other sport offers this combination of horses and skis, speed and fierce competition,Ó he says.
Franco Moro, also 38, has won the prestigious Skikjšring Trophy a record four times. Moro runs the St Moritz Ski School, but is equally famous in equine circles for his daredevil approach. Said to have a natural empathy with his horse, Moro allows his rivals no mercy and attempts to unnerve them before the race with jibes such as: ÒThe only thing youÕll see of us is the horseÕs hooves!Ó
A major crowd puller, the final for the coveted Skikjšring Trophy is held over 2.7km (approximately 1.5 miles) on the last Sunday of the meeting.
/ENDS

Sources: European Snow Meeting, St Moritz