Racing

The Legacy Lives On

Kennel founders Susan Butcher and David Monson’s legacy lives on! With the knowledge passed down by her parents, and the knowledge from her experience growing up surrounded by mushers and embracing the lifestyle in her 20s, their eldest daughter Tekla continues to foster a positive environment in which up and coming as well as seasoned dog mushers thrive. 

We are proud to work with many amazing humans who all share in the love for the lifestyle and culture of dog mushing. A few of these are committed to train and race Trail Breaker Kennel dogs in the coming season. Read about our race mushers here, and join us in supporting them and cheering them on as they travel down the trail towards their goals. 

Katrina Handler

Katrina Handler

Katrina moved up from Washington state to pursue a life with more wilderness, and fell in love with dog mushing. Since then she’s spent nearly a decade working with the dogs and on the sled training for races. Katrina is continuing her journey with her 5 Alaskan Huskies and is getting ready to run the Iditarod by completing her qualifying races. With one qualifier already under her belt, and working for Trail Breaker Kennel the past eight years, she is excited for the 2024/2025 race season. Currently there are a few mid-distance races that she has her eyes on this year, but will decide which one is best for her team as she trains through the season. 

Katrina's Race Schedule
Yukon Quest 80
T-Dog 200
Katrina's Team
Click the dogs to learn more about them and become a part of the team by sponsoring a Trail Breaker Kennel dog.
Old Steese ©whitneymclaren 2024

OLD STEESE

Fully sponsored by John and Connie Mortonson
Nimbus ©whitneymclaren 2024 Tbk 8277

NIMBUS

Booties sponsored by Al Hoggard
Havak ©whitneymclaren 2024

HAVAK

Fully sponsored by Sharon and Kurt Adams
Ansel ©whitneymclaren 2024 Tbk 8285

ANSEL

Booties sponsored by Vicki Smith
Indy ©whitneymclaren 2024

INDY

Sponsored by CJ Jackson
Booties sponsored by Jeff Weiland
Frank ©whitneymclaren 2024

FRANK

Mofarah ©whitneymclaren 2024

MOFARAH

Sponsored by Sherrie Casasanta
Wookie ©whitneymclaren 2024

WOOKIE

Booties sponsored by Jeff Weiland
Trout ©whitneymclaren 2024

TROUT

Booties sponsored by Neil Stephens
Jibe ©whitneymclaren 2024 Tbk 8305

JIBE

Bolt ©whitneymclaren

BOLT

Dale ©whitneymclaren 2024

DALE

Elena Herreid

Elena Herreid

Elena Herreid has been working with Trail Breaker Kennel for the last three years where she has been training for and running mid distance races. During the 2024/25 winter season she is excited to be training up the yearlings and teaching them what they need to know to be successful whether they are going on camping trips in the White Mountains or running down the race trail. Elena is looking forward to a season of training these young dogs to learn and grow as they get the experience they need to go the distance and look forward to a spring adventure to the Arctic with them in April. 

Elena's Team
Click the dogs to learn more about them and become a part of the team by sponsoring a Trail Breaker Kennel dog.
Felix©whitneymclaren 2024

SIMONE

Phelps ©whitneymclaren 2024

PHELPS

Plumb Bob ©whitneymclaren 2024

PLUMB BOB

Booties sponsored by John Allen, Meredith Vaughn
Felix ©whitneymclaren 2024

FELIX

Sponsored by Bill Ricci
Chuli ©whitneymclaren 2024

CHULI

Dollie ©whitneymclaren 2024

DOLLIE

Fully sponsored by the Petty Family
Farmer ©whitneymclaren 2024

FARMER

Booties sponsored by Wendy Garfield
Ace ©whitneymclaren 2024

ACE

Fully sponsored by Sharon and Kurt Adams
Jackhammer ©whitneymclaren 2024

JACKHAMMER

Slim ©whitneymclaren 2024

SLIM

Allen wrench ©whitneymclaren 2024 Tbk 8515

ALLEN

Fully sponsored by Daphne Walmer
Caliper ©whitneymclaren 2024

CALIPER

Keira Irish

Keira Irish Jr. Iditarod finish 2024

Keira Irish, 16, has been running dogs since the age 10 and has over 500 miles of racing experience. Her main races include the Jr. Iditarod, an 160 mile race for kids 14-17 years old. She has run the Junior Iditarod twice, in 2023 with a team of mostly rescue dogs, and in 2024 with a team from Trail Breaker Kennel. Her other racing experiences include the T-Dog 110, the Solstice Invitational 25, and the Solstice Invitational 50. Although only a junior in high school, she is already planning on running the Iditarod after finishing college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks studying Wildlife Biology. Next season, she will be running the Junior Iditarod for the third time with Trail Breaker dogs, and is planning to run either the Knik 200 or the T-Dog 200 with the rescue team from Rerun Kennel. When not running dogs, she loves hiking, kayaking, and skijoring.

Keira's Race Schedule
2025 Jr. Iditarod - Keira is planning to run a team of TBK race dogs in the Jr. Iditarod and she splits her training time between TBK and ReRun Kennel