YQ300 Musher Profiles

2013 MUSHERS

 
1. Tamra Reynolds

Residence: Whitehorse, Yukon
Age: 40
Website: www.annieslakekennel.com 
Occupation(s): Hydrogeologist
Number of years running dogs: 8 
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 40 
Kennel Name: Annie's Lake Kennel
Bloodlines: Mackey, Baker, Neff
Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky

How did your kennel get its name: We live on the edge of Annie Lake and Annie is the kennel diva.

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: My leaders will be Annie and her daughter Juanita (2012 YQ Golden Harness winner) along with Nathan, Simba and Jester. Behind them will be the Omen-Zorro litter (both Mackey dogs): Griffen, Nemo, Capone, Fraser and Flicka. And the two that could pull the sled by themselves if allowed: Sicily (Sorlie lines) and Sport (from John Baker).

How did you get started running dogs: My first time on a sled was a 17h trip to Tanana, AK at 40 below.
What do you love most about running dogs: Spending time with my dogs, always learning and the challenge.
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: To finish with a happy healthy dog team.

2. Gaetan Pierrard

Residence: Whitehorse, Yukon
Age: 36 
Occupation(s): Carpenter
Number of years running dogs: 5 
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 11 
Kennel Name: K9
Bloodlines: Kleedhen, Gatt
How did your kennel get its name: Sounds good

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: I run Ibex, who I got from Sebastian Schnuelle. He did awesome in a  storm run on the Denali Highway. I didn't tell Sab how good he was, but I asked him how much I could buy him for, he offered him to me for $10 (kind of a gift). Might be in my team!
How did you get started running dogs: Handling for experienced mushers
What do you love most about running dogs: Be cold, tired...
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: To get experience for mid-distance races.

Recent Sled Dog Races

3. John King

Residence: Australia
Age: 47 
Occupation(s): Company director - Niftylift Ltd. 

Sponsors: Nifty Pty Ltd., Niftylift Ltd.
Number of years running dogs: 2 
Kennel Name: Gatt
Bloodlines: Gatt
Breeds Include: Alaskans
How did your kennel get its name: Running a team belonging to Hans Gatt

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: I ran many of these dogs during a week long trip with Hans in 2012. The trip was fantastic, all the dogs were great, and Ming was my favorite.
How did you get started running dogs:  Through Sky High Wilderness RAnch trips.
What do you love most about running dogs: The dogs, the adventure, the outdoors, the people.
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: Enjoyed running race dogs so much, want to run a race. Who knows what this may lead to in the future?
 

4. Jennifer Levy

Residence: Durham, North Carolina
Age: 42
Website: www.parrotsled.com  
Occupation(s): RN and UNC chapel Hill Jay Cee Burn Centre
Number of years running dogs: 5
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 20 
Kennel Name: Parrotsled
Bloodlines: Lokiboden, Gilchrist and rescue
Breeds Include: Siberian and Alaskan
How did your kennel get its name: Jimmi Buffet fan - I am a parrot head

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: A few years ago when I decided to jump from sprint to distance mushing, I volunteered at a kennel in the Yukon. I had a favorite dog in the yard. At the end of the season, I was told I could purchase her. It was a challenge to negociate the details of finally bringing her home. I had to leave fo NC without her, not knowing if I would ever bring her home. I saw this as nature challenging my dedication and commitment. She has been my main leader, I have won every race I have run with her. She will be leading me from the start line.
How did you get started running dogs: I grew up in Ohio, I saw teams run in Ohio Trailblazers club. I couldn't wait to get a team of my own. I currently run sprints, but after handling in the Yukon and in Alaska for the past 2 seasons, distance is where my heart is.
What do you love most about running dogs: The challenge of the team working with nature.
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: I ahve desired to run in distance races that are not available here on the East Coast. I want to see the team finish strong. My over all goal is to run the Yukon Quest. The difficulty and physical challenge entices me.

Recent Sled Dog Races

5. Jerry Joinson

Residence: Fort St. James, British Columbia
Age: 57 
Occupation(s): Carpenter, chicken farmer and sheep rancher 

Sponsors: Yukon Chimney Sweep, Vanderhoof Veterinary Clinic, Helen Stappers, Karen Olito
Number of years running dogs: 30 + years
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 22
Kennel Name: Bar-King Kennels
Bloodlines: Ours, Burkes, Houghtons, Douglas
Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky
How did your kennel get its name: Our neighbors can tell you that!

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: Groups on my and my wife's teams are siblings. Some are 8yrs and some are 3yrs. About half of my team has finished the Yukon Quest in 2011. My best and most dependable are all brothers and sisters.
How did you get started running dogs: Ran trap line dogs as a child
What do you love most about running dogs: I enjoy being with my team on long trips. They are like family. I also love the scenery and the peace and quiet.
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: I am running the Iditarod and I want to see which of my dogs I am taking, and I will get to do it with my wife Lisa.

Recent Sled Dog Races

6. Michelle Phillips

Residence: Tagish, Yukon
Sponsors: Nutrisource, Alaska RV Discovery Tours, Ground Effect Media

Website: http://tagishlakekennel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TagishLakeKennel

Kennel Name: Tagish Lake Kennel
Bloodlines: Our own
Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky

7. Olaf Thurau

Residence: Whitehorse, Yukon
Age: 48
Occupation(s): Heavy duty / car mechanic
Sponsors: John's Auto Repair and my wife Dianna

Number of years running dogs: 12
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 22
Kennel Name: Sweet Muzzle's

Bloodlines: Our own, Swingley
Breeds Include: Siberian and Alaskan Huskies
How did your kennel get its name: My wife chose the name 

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: We have two dogs from Sebastian Schnuelle who ran the Iditarod and the Quest. They can demonstrate to our young dogs how to do it.
How did you get started running dogs: in '94 we bought our first dog Sam. '98 came Nanuk and in '99 Meili and Kathy. Than we started running these dogs with our bike.
What do you love most about running dogs: I love everything. Especially I love their good mood all the time and their passion to run.

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: To see how far I can go, and hopefully that we finish the race in good condition.

Recent Sled Dog Races

8. Jonathan Lucas 

Residence: Whitehorse, Yukon
Age: 49
Occupation(s): Aquaculture
Sponsors: No 1 Sponsor: Barbara Watt, Aurora Booties, Grizzly Pigs Farm, Fish Witch Smokehouse for all trail meals

Number of years running dogs: 10
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 6 + 2 Rottweillers
Kennel Name: Snowpigs

Bloodlines: Neff, Guimond, Zaidan
Breeds Include: Alaskan Huskies
How did your kennel get its name: Dogs love snow + farming pigs.

How did you get started? Handling for Ray Zaidan 2001-02, who then suggested I try ski-joring with Laura J. Lucas's Rottweillor "Puppy" who turned out to be very tolerant and very strong, and taught me how to skijor - I taught myself to sled which is why I keep flirting with the Red Lantern!

What do you love most about running dogs: Getting away from everything eh!

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: To actually enjoy it this time.

Recent Sled Dog Races

 9. Aliy Zirkle

Residence: Two Rivers, Alaska
Age: 43
Occupation(s): Dog musher

Sponsors: Horizon Lines of Alaska, Norhtern Outfitters, Clarion Suites Downtown Anc., Pleasant Valley Store, Eagle Pack, Well Pet Dog Food.
Number of years running dogs: 20
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 51
Kennel Name: Sp kennel
Bloodlines: Ours, L. Mackey, King 

Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky
How did your kennel get its name: My first sled dog "Skunk's Place"

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: Brother and sister, Cheyko and I.V., named by our young neighbor who had cancer treatments. They are 2yrs this season and are looking fabulous.

How did you get started running dogs: Snowmachine was too noisy!

What do you love most about running dogs: Probably their spirit and their amazing desire to run!

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: To race the dogs that Allen doesn't choose for his YQ team.

Recent Sled Dog Races

 10. Colin Morrison

Residence: Carcross, Yukon
Age: 34
Occupation(s): Carpenter

Number of years running dogs: 8
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 36
Kennel Name: Pinocchio's Springs Kennel

Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky
How did your kennel get its name: The mother of our first dogs was named Pinocchio

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: I’m training 12 for the race, 10 of them were 2 litters (5 and 5) from the same female of a Mackey/King mix. The other 2 are unrelated; I purchased Nanook as the “super leader” to show the younger ones how it’s done. As I was leaving the yard that I got her from, her previous owner said “You can TRY this guy too, but he’s never done anything for me!” Sailor turned into my steadiest leader and, at that time, my only command leader. It was then that I deduced that dollar signs attached to a dog is the poorest way to assess performance.

How did you get started running dogs: Guiding for Frank Turner

What do you love most about running dogs: Quiets the mind

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: I’ve done 3 Percy’s now, so I think it is time to see what another 100 feels like. My goal is to keep everyone in my team happy and finish with a time that doesn’t make the volunteers in Pelly curse my name

Recent Sled Dog Races

11. Yuka Honda 

Residence: Whitehorse, Yukon

Age: 39
Occupation(s): Anything for money

Sponsors: Lee Desjardins, Karrimor Japan, Marmot, Beth McIntyre, Arctic Range Adventure, Dave's Cleaning Service

Number of years running dogs: 14
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 20
Kennel Name: Ginga Express Kennel
Breeds Include: Alaskan Huskies

Bloodlines: Beck, Zirkle, Keizo Funatsu, Mackey

How did your kennel get it's name? Keizo Funatsy named it after Kenji Miyazawa's fantasy story.
How did you get started running dogs: Crazy canadian Grant Beck taught me about it.

What do you love most about running dogs? I really love to camp with dogs.

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: I wanna enjoy with my 5 yearlings and my super beautiful dogs.

12. Debbie Knight

Residence: Whitehorse, Yukon

Age: 57

Occupation(s): Retired teacher/fish processor

Sponsors: Fourth Chute Needleworks (Lynn Cheffin, Ontario), Fish Witch Smokehouse for all trail meals
 

Number of years running dogs: 15 or so
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 36
Kennel Name: Jesaris Kennel

Bloodlines: Gatt, Palfrey, Boyd

Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky
How did your kennel get its name: It is a combination of the names of 3 very important people in my life, my children-Jessie, Sarah, and Chris

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: One of my best lead dogs I brought from Ontario. She was given to me, as she was not fitting in to another kennel. She was welcomed by the dogs in mine and has proven to be one of the best leads I have had. She has been called “the perfect sleddog” by a few vets. She shows very little personality on the surface, but is a sweetheart that loves to run

How did you get started running dogs: Seeing Susan Butcher, on tv, showing how she cart trained her dogs did it for me. I was much younger then and it took me 10 years to get started but I did. One dog and a sled. We taught each other.

What do you love most about running dogs? Knowing that the dogs are loving every minute of the run, the peace and the challenges.

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: I really want to finish the race and enjoy it. This will be the last bigger race for some of my dogs as they are getting on. I want them to enjoy this run

Recent Sled Dog Races

13. Lucy Tyrrell

Residence: Healy, Alaska

Age: 60
Occupation(s): Research administrator with Denali National Park and Preserve

Number of years running dogs: About 15
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 11 

Kennel Name: Raven's Wing

Bloodlines: Cotter, Currier
Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky
How did your kennel get its name: I love seeing ravens soaring and swooping overhead as we mush

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: Ceidlidh and Taos are cousins (both red) and they participate in weight pulls with the Interior Freight Dog Association.
Aidan and Maddie are brother and sister. Maddie is short for Madra, which means dog in Irish.
 

How did you get started running dogs: Borrowed 3 dogs after taking a dog-pulled cart ride near Lake Superior

What do you love most about running dogs? Companionship and loyalty of dogs; the joy of working as a team to travel trails through amazing wild landscapes and the challenges presented on the trail (needing to be creative to fix things)

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: I’d like to challenge myself and dogs in another 300-mile race. Goals: Be safe. Take good care of the dogs. Challenge myself and dogs. Enjoy the trail (team and I). Finish the race.
Not be last.


Recent Sled Dog Races

14. Marcelle Fressineau

Residence: Whitehorse, Yukon

Age: 58
Occupation(s): Musher and a lot of activities to feed my dogs

Number of years running dogs: 24
Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 20 racing dogs, 15 retired dogs, 15 other good dogs

Kennel Name: Alayuk Kennel

Bloodlines: Jean-Paul Geoffrion
Breeds Include: Alaskan and Yukon Husky
How did your kennel get its name: Aulayuk means "On part" in Inuktitut, and is a short for "Alaska-Yukon" following my dream to run the Yukon Quest.

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race: To train the dogs.

Recent Sled Dog Races

15. David Mason

Residence: Whitehorse, YT

Age: 36

Occupation(s): Corrections officer

Number of years running dogs: 6

Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 25

Kennel Name: Powder Paws

Bloodlines: Magaw, Saunderson and own
Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky

How did your kennel get its name? We lived in the Kootneys (the powder triangle) and we had lots of powder snow, so powder paws

How did you get started running dogs? I was kindle mentored by Al Magaw.

What do you love most about running dogs? Just going places most people would never go and been out there with the dogs.

Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race? A camping trip. Happy dogs and musher.

16. Kyia P. Bouchard

Residence: Dawson City, Yukon

Age: 59

Occupation(s): Sled Dog Tours & Museum

Number of years running dogs: 8

Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 40

Kennel Name: Slow Rush Kennels

Bloodlines: Gatt, Mackey, Guimond

How did your kennel get its name? From a Dawson friend

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: I have no favourite dog. They are all on the same level with me - no matter what. I will be racing with my "AlkonHansKey Huskys" and their cousins. My motto is "Love any dog".

How did you get started running dogs? A Friend asked if I would run 8 sprint dogs in a race. I said yes and that was it.

What do you love most about running dogs? Feeling like I am one of the dogs in the pack.
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race? To be part of the history and and sport. Goals: To finish with my dogs saying to me: "Hey, that was great. Let's do it again." 

17. Paige Drobny

Residence: Fairbanks, Alaska

Age: 37

Occupation(s): Fish Biologist

Number of years running dogs: 7

Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 50

Kennel Name: Squid Acres Kennel

Bloodlines: A little bit of everything
Breeds Include: AK Husky

How did your kennel get its name? I study squid for my graduate degree
Please share with us some stories about your dogs: My husband, Cody, will be running the YQ 1000 ao I will get whatever is left over. But my blue eyed boyfirend Stout will almost certainly be leading my team again!

How did you get started running dogs? Cody built me a sled

What do you love most about running dogs? The pure joy of running through the woods with my best friends.
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race? To train for Iditarod. 

18. Ryne Olson

Residence: Two Rivers, Alaska

Age: 24

Occupation(s): Student, Mushing Tour Guide

Number of years running dogs: 4

Number of dogs currently in your kennel: 2 adults, 6 pups

Kennel Name: running for SP Kennel (Aliy Zirkle & Allen Moore)

Bloodlines: Aliy & Allen's
Breeds Include: Alaskan Husky

How did your kennel get its name? Aliy's old lead dog Skunk

Please share with us some stories about your dogs: The team that I will be racing is a combination of veteran leaders and youngster team dogs (maybe even yearlings) from SP Kennel. There are seven yearlings that might make the team: Izzy, Mismo, Nelson, Pepe, Felix, Outlaw and Clyde.
How did you get started running dogs? I LOVE dogs! Muching is just another way to be with dogs. 
Why did you enter the 2013 YQ300 and what are your goals for the race? I ran the YQ 300 in 2011 and had a great time. Canada trails and people were fantastic. My goal is to have as much fun as I did two years ago.

WITHDRAWN:

Fabian Schmitz - Whitehorse, Yukon

Gerry Mobey - Whitehorse, Yukon

Marcel Marin - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Ed Hopkins - Tagish, Yukon (upgraded to YQ 1000)

Claudia Wickert - Whitehorse, Yukon

Bevon Keefer - Whitehorse, Yukon

Susan Rogan - Whitehorse, Yukon (upgraded to YQ 1000)

Steve Gibbons - Whitehorse, Yukon

Jacob Heigers - Whitehorse, Yukon

Gerry Willomitzer - Whitehorse, Yukon

Dan Heilbrunn - Inuvik, NWT

Ralph Herzog - Whitehorse, Yukon

Darryl Sheepway - Whitehorse, Yukon

Wendy Booker - Clam Gulch, Alaska

Guro Katrine Eidal - Bergen, Norway

Crispin Studer - Carcross, Yukon (upgraded to YQ 1000)

Alan Eischens - Alaska

Scot Janssen - Anchorage, Alaska

Patrick Moon - Chicago, Illinois

Maren Bradley- Whitehorse, YT

Simi Morrison - Carcross, Yukon

Debbie Moderow - Denali Park, Alaska

Marie, Royer - Tagish, Yukon

Lev Shvarts - Willow, Alaska

Christian Turner - Willow, Alaska

Marilyn Storey - Willow, Alaska

Dean Osmar - Clam Gulch, Alaska

Michael Bowman - Fairbanks, Alaska

Lisa Joinson - Fort St. James, British Columbia