In this episode from the Team & Trail archives, Michele Forto opens the November 2001 issue and looks at what the sport of mushing was talking about just months after 9/11. From the sled dog community supporting search dogs at Ground Zero to Doug Swingley’s historic Iditarod run, race calendars, club reports, classifieds, and preparations for another winter, this issue captures a moment in mushing history that went far beyond the finish line.

It is also a reminder of what Team & Trail did best: preserve the everyday record of the sport and the people who kept it moving between the major races.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this special re-air from The Dog Driver Show archives, Dr. Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow sit down with musher Ron Hayden for a conversation about racing, building a team, dryland mushing, and the future of sled dog sports.

Ron also talks about the possibility of traveling to Alaska with Mandy Collins to experience the state's racing circuit firsthand. It's a trip that could put them on some legendary Alaska trails and introduce them to a racing community known for welcoming mushers from outside the state.

The conversation turns toward where mushing may be headed over the next five to ten years. Ron sees continued growth in dryland racing, particularly smaller classes and mono-sports. These events offer a more accessible entry into mushing for people who may not have the ability or desire to maintain a kennel of ten, fifteen, or twenty dogs.

Originally heard on The Dog Driver Show, this episode offers an interesting look back at a conversation about a part of the sport that continues to introduce new people to working with dogs.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to keep an elite sled dog kennel thriving through one of Alaska's coldest winters?

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, hosts Dr. Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow welcome accomplished open-class musher Riley Parker from Salcha, Alaska. Riley shares what it is really like to manage a kennel of 35 sled dogs while balancing family life, racing, gardening, and running a growing herbal business.

The conversation explores how Riley and her kennel partner divide responsibilities while Gary is away flying as a professional pilot, how they adapted their kennel during weeks of temperatures approaching 60 below zero, and the planning required to keep the dogs healthy and conditioned through one of the harshest winters in recent memory.

Riley also discusses developing young race dogs, preparing for Alaska's biggest sprint races, breeding decisions that have shaped their kennel for years, homeschooling their son through mushing, and why building strong relationships with dogs begins long before race day.

From championship racing to growing medicinal herbs and producing local honey, this episode offers an inside look at one of Alaska's mushing families and the lifestyle that supports success on and off the trail.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode, we pull the September 2006 issue of Team & Trail off the shelf and discover just how much of its wisdom still holds up nearly 20 years later.

From Susan Butcher’s sense of belonging in Alaska and her remarkable comeback after the 1985 Iditarod to her role as one of mushing’s greatest ambassadors, this issue captures a pivotal era in sled dog history. We also revisit lessons on organizational leadership and the sport's survival, along with a young Lance Mackey boldly declaring that the coming season would be his year.

The names and races may change, but the questions about perseverance, leadership, belonging, and believing in your team remain remarkably familiar.

Join us as we head From the Archives and rediscover the stories preserved in more than 60 years of Team & Trail.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

On this special re-air from The Dog Driver Show archives, Dr. Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow talk with musher Eddie Duque for a conversation about dogs, racing, the mushing community, and what it takes to keep the sport moving forward.

Eddie shares his perspective on the attitude and commitment that go into working with sled dogs, along with his thoughts on where mushing could be headed over the next five to ten years. For Eddie, the future comes down to something bigger than winning races. It means leaving a legacy, welcoming younger people into the sport, volunteering, creating fun events, and introducing dog mushing to the wider community.

Originally heard on The Dog Driver Show, this conversation remains just as relevant today as mushers consider how to preserve the traditions of the sport while building its next generation.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What was it like racing 28-dog teams behind wooden sleds before GPS, modern braking systems, and high-tech equipment?

In this episode of The Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow sit down with one of the sport's true legends, Terry Streeper. With more than five decades in sled dog racing, Terry reflects on the evolution of sprint mushing from the 1970s through today.

He shares stories about racing across Canada, Alaska, the Midwest, and Europe, discusses why great leaders mattered more than big teams, explains how Alaskan Huskies changed over the years, and offers his thoughts on the introduction of pointer crosses into competitive racing.

The conversation also explores the decline of local races, rising costs, unpredictable winter weather, dryland racing, and what the future may hold for the sport Terry has dedicated his life to.

Whether you're a longtime musher or simply fascinated by sled dog history, this is an insightful conversation with one of sprint racing's most respected voices.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

The future of one of Norway’s most important sled dog training areas is at risk.

On this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Dr. Robert Forto and co-host Kourosh Partow sit down with Blanka Csizmadia to discuss the fight surrounding Hamar Sled Dog Club and the trail system that has become an important training destination for sprint and mid-distance mushers in Norway and across Europe.

For decades, volunteers have maintained an extensive network of groomed trails, a clubhouse, equipment, and an arena that has hosted European and world championship competition. But years of disputes involving the privately owned land have left the club facing major legal costs and a financial crisis that could threaten its ability to continue operating.

Blanka explains how the dispute developed, why the club is now raising money, and what losing the facility could mean for sled dog sports throughout the region. She also shares why support from mushers around the world matters, even for those who may never run a team on these trails.

This episode is about more than saving one sled dog club. It is about volunteerism, access to trails, preserving mushing infrastructure, and what can happen when the larger sled dog community comes together to protect the places that keep the sport alive.

Learn more about the world of dog-powered sports at Mushing.com.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to relocate an entire sled dog kennel across Europe in pursuit of better snow, better trails, and a better future for your dogs?

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow welcome Elsa and Frédéric Borgey, a team from one of Europe's most respected mushing teams. The couple shares their journey from France to Swedish Lapland, where they now train approximately 50 sled dogs while balancing international racing, breeding, tourism, and family life.

Frédéric discusses his decades leading the French Federation of Sled Dogs, why climate change and shrinking snow conditions forced their move north, and how he and Elsa divide responsibilities within their kennel. Elsa shares her success in La Grande Odyssée, their focus on mid-distance racing, and what it takes to prepare elite dogs for competition.

We also explore their unique kennel philosophy, from developing young prospects to caring for retired veterans, along with their training methods, breeding program, and introducing newcomers to the sport through immersive mushing experiences in Lapland.

Whether you're interested in European sled dog racing, kennel management, or learning from two lifelong mushers dedicated to their dogs, this episode offers an inside look at one of the sport's most respected teams.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved