Emily Hodgson, 11, with Jinx and Alex Hodgson, 13, with Opal at the Northern Victorian Sled Dog Club Classic.
Photo by
Ashley Darling
The Northern Victorian Sled Dog Club Classic drew a wide range of people from across Australia to Moira Park Scout Camp in Kialla West over the King’s Birthday long weekend.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Among them were faces old and new, with the Hodgson family in their 33rd year of competing.
The Hodgson family travelled from their home east of Benalla with their nine purebred Siberian huskies.
David Hodgson competed in the three-dog event while his wife, Susanne, was out due to an injury. Their two children, Alex, 13, and Emily, 11, both competed in the social canicross event, which involves cross-country running with a dog.
The siblings both took home ribbons, with Alex taking first place with family dog Opal and Emily taking second with her own dog Jinx.
While other breeds have come to dominate sled dog racing, the Hodgsons remain dedicated to Siberian huskies and have owned 32 of them during their time involved with the sport.
Susanne said that although Siberian huskies were not for everyone, “they’ve got a beautiful nature”.
Emily said she loved the “fluff and the mess they make”.
David Hodgson with his Siberian Huskies in the three-dog race.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
David was the first to fall in love with the sport in 1994 after his brother invited him to a race.
Susanne has been competing for 25 years after she was introduced to the sport through a friend and said she thought, “What a fabulous way to exercise my dog.”
Since then, they have travelled together across Victoria, South Australia and NSW.
The Hodgsons enjoy camping out at race weekends and spending time in state forests.
17°C