The third year of the Dark Horse Invitational air session took place at Revelstoke Mountain Resort over the past few days, and with 22 female riders aged between 13 and 30-something. This is a free ride mountain bike jam meant to progress the sport for female riders.

Organizer Casey Brown says it's the best year ever. "We want to see women in all the levels of the sport, that's what's recognized as a healthy sport," Brown said.

A rider starfishes as her friends cheer her on. Photo by Meagan Deuling.

Brown, a professional mountain biker and Revelstoke local, started the Dark Horse because she saw a gap in professional mountain biking -- there were no free riding events for women. The idea with the event is to build a community of female riders, and "get these girls a boost in the industry," Brown said. That way, sponsors can see what they're up to.

In the years since the Dark Horse Brown says more events like it have popped up, but says the sport has plateaued at mid-competition level.

Brown would like to see a women's category in high-end slope style, saying that would maybe go to the Olympics one day. "Every little step counts," she said, "and we're just taking baby steps right now."

Listen to an interview with Casey Brown below.