Sideline Stories: Ashley Patterson, Can-AM Crown International Musher

I’m pretty sure I was born with a love for the sport of competitive mushing. At the age of twelve, I began training dogs, and by the age of fourteen, I had my own nine-dog team. My passion for mushing continuously grew and I spent more time outdoors working with my dogs. Mushing became my lifestyle and I continue to live the sport day-in and day-out. I own and operate a professional racing kennel, Lone Wolf Kennel, located in Shirley, with my husband and training partner, Mark Patterson. Together we currently care for, love, and coach 38 four-legged, furry athletes.

Training our athletes for competitive racing is a year-long commitment. When there is no snow on the ground, a four-wheeler is used. Training is two days on, one day off. The training plan changes all the time, and it’s actually more like an hour-by-hour strategy. Mark and I usually begin the day with a brainstorming session. These factors must be considered: weather, trail conditions, traffic in the woods, and attitude of the dogs. By January, we have typically run 1,000 miles with our teams in all types of weather conditions. Ensuring our dogs are well-prepared for the race includes simulating the feeding routine and lay-over periods, camping out in the snow together, and most importantly, nurturing a strong bond with each dog.

All of this hard work always pays off! I’ve traveled across the country and crossed the Canadian Border to participate in races. One race I return to year after year is the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races held in Fort Kent, Maine. I’ve finished the Can-Am 250, the event’s longest race, eight times, continually placing in the top 5. I completed my first Can-Am 250 at just eighteen years old, running in one of the most difficult race years the Can-Am has ever seen. I was also one of the first females and the youngest musher ever to complete the course. The year was 2003, and 18 inches of fresh snow fell during the fourth-leg, rendering the trails soft and powdery. This caused a marked slowdown for all of the teams. Many mushers started the race, but my team was one of only eleven to cross the finish line that year, placing fourth!

I enjoy the endless time spent training dogs to compete in such a challenging race. The Can-Am is both the dogs and my favorite race; we train on similar terrain at home. We enjoy the hills and wildlife seen while out on the trails in Fort Kent. It’s often we come across a fresh set of moose tracks, and when we’re really lucky, we watch as one strolls across the trail.

Although COVID-19 has brought a halt to racing this season we persevere and continue to train, keeping the 2022 races in the forefront of our minds. I train just like my dogs do; I eat right, stay hydrated, and exercise. This also means once the dogs get their treat for crossing the finish line, so do I. A cold beer after finishing the next Can-Am 250 is going to taste better than ever before!

Photos by Ashley L Conti