Roger Shepard Memorial Sled Dog Program

Roger Shepard was a longtime SHCA member devoted to working his Siberian Huskies in harness, and racing competitively in regional snow and dryland sled dog races. His devotion to the sport of sled dog racing led him to compete in many races in the northeast U.S., and to help inaugurate dryland racing in Georgia in the 1990s, where he relocated after moving from New York. This memorial program honors his memory, his support of the working Siberian Husky, and his generous legacy to the Siberian Husky Club of America.

With the aging of the sled dog racing community, climate change, financial considerations, and external societal pressures, the working and competitive racing of Siberian Huskies has become increasingly challenged. Supporting the workability of our breed and the SHCA’s historic involvement with sled dogs is a legacy that is reflected in our Constitution. It is accepted that more needs to be done to protect it not only for the sport it embodies, but also for the foundation it represents for our breeding stock. In doing so, we also honor the legacy of a SHCA member who actively supported these goals by applying his bequest to preserve what he obviously held dear.

The Roger Shepard Memorial Sled Dog Program is intended to incentivize the working and racing of Siberian Huskies, by providing direct support to select regional sled dog races via an annual purse contribution for Registered Breed (purebred) race classes, and placement trophies and medals for placing Siberian Husky teams.

2023-2024 SHCA SUPPORTED RACES

  • Lost Pines Dryland Race, Michigan Oct 21-22, 2023

  • Ohio Dryland Challenge, Ohio Nov 25-26, 2023

  • Black Locust Dryland Race, Illinois Dec 2-3, 2023

  • North East Dryland Challenge, Pennsylvania Dec 9-10, 2023

  • Frost Mountain, Maine Jan 20-21, 2024

  • Frog Lake Race, Oregon Jan 27-28, 2024

  • Darby Dog Derby, Montana (pending) Jan 2024

  • Baldwin Sled Dog Race, Michigan (pending) Jan 2024

  • Tug Hill Challenge, New York Jan 27-28, 2024

  • Three Bears Sled Dog Race, Wisconsin (pending) Feb 2024

  • Maine State Championship sled dog race, Maine Feb 2024

  • Lemoille Valley Sled Dog Race, Vermont (pending) Feb 2024

  • Bradford Heat Race, Maine (pending) Feb 2024

  • Diamond Lake Race, Oregon Feb 24-25, 2024

  • Tomichi Creek Sprint Sled Dog Challenge, Colorado (TBA) Feb 2023

  • Bachelor Butte Dog Derby, Oregon Mar 1-3, 2024