Callin' Trail Kennel is owned and operated by Ryan and Erin Redington. We are a Top 20 Iditarod Racing Kennel located right on the Iditarod Trail in Knik, Alaska. While out on the trail we see lots of other dog teams and wildlife.
The main racer in our kennel is Ryan Redington, a third generation Alaskan musher. Born and raised in Alaska, he has been running dogs since he could hang on to the handle bars. Ryan really enjoys racing and is an extremely competitive musher. He regularly finishes in the top 5 in many of the mid-distance races that he enters and Ryan has placed as high as 18th in the Iditarod. In addition to running dogs, Ryan enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping, and playing Texas Hold 'Em.
Erin grew up in Northern Minnesota and met Ryan one summer on a glacier while giving dog sled rides. Ryan and Erin were married on Septemeber 24th, 2005. Erin also races as well as spending time making many of the winter clothing items that the kennel requires.
The Redington family has a lot of experience and history with dog mushing. Joe Redington Sr., known as the Father of the Iditarod, is Ryan's grandfather. He is credited not only with creating the Iditarod race, but also with keeping the race going year after year. Joe competed in the Iditarod 19 times, placing in the top-twenty 10 times. He completed his last Iditarod race at the age of 80. Raymie Redington, Ryan's dad, is also a part of Alaskan mushing history. Raymie ran in the inaugural Iditarod in 1973, and has competed in the race 13 times so far. Ryan's brother, Ray Redington, is also an Iditarod veteran, having completed the race the last five years. Ray has been very competitive, placing in the top-fifteen 3 times. Ryan has mushers on his mother's side, too. His great-grandfather, Frank Ryan, an Inupiat Eskimo, delivered U.S. mail from Unalakleet to other villages by dog team.
