Stephen Peterson of rural Backus had a mixed season of dog sled racing this year, finishing in the top three in Ashton and losing time waiting on moose in at least one other race. - Brainerd, Minnesota 
Area musher has seen sport change
Stephen Peterson, of rural Backus, has been a sled dog racer for more than 20 years - nearly half his life - and over that time his experience and the sport itself have changed a great deal.
Peterson was introduced to the sport by a world champion in dog sledding - Eddy Streeper, who lived in Osage.
"I met the world champion when I was 11," Peterson said. "He was a big influence on my life. I moved away and rodeoed and toured the country, but when I returned, I decided to come back and get a hold of him. I helped him quite a few years before I started racing."
Peterson said it is a right of passage in dog sledding to work for a mentor, feeding and caring for animals. In turn, you learn from them and even borrow their dogs and equipment. That's how he got started, and that's how young racers get their start to this day.
View Full Article