A Yukon Quest rookie will be permitted to race despite missing a mandatory veterinary check over the weekend.

Ed Stielstra, a 47-year-old musher from McMillan, Mich., did not show up for the race’s veterinary check Sunday, arriving late in Whitehorse.

He was driving to Whitehorse from Michigan with fellow Yukon Quest musher Laura Neese, who also races out of Nature’s Kennel.

Neese, a 19-year-old Quest veteran, won last year’s sportsmanship award.

According to a Yukon Quest media advisory posted late last night: “Ed Stielstra failed to comply with the General Race Procedure Rule # 8 stating ‘rookie entrants must have their dogs examined at a YQI official Vet Check.’

“After careful consideration, the Yukon Quest Rules Committee and Race Marshal, Fabian Schmitz have decided to permit Stielstra to race with a monetary fine, pending a successful vet check.”

Since Neese is a veteran, she is able to have a veterinarian who is not associated with the Quest look at her team.

Neese had withdrawn from the race Monday in solidarity with Stielstra.

This morning, the Quest announced that Stielstra and Neese would be permitted to run in the race on condition of a $1,000 fine and a vet check pass.

“After a good night’s sleep, Laura has decided that her and I will pay the $1,000 penalty and run the Yukon Quest,” said a post on Nature’s Kennel’s Facebook page signed by Stielstra.

“I am completely floored by the mushing and fan base family that have supported us in this weird series of events. Thank you!”

Stielstra and Neese left Michigan en route for Whitehorse in a new truck, but hit fog along the way, according to the page. They arrived in Whitehorse on Monday, a day late for the vet check.

“Thank you to everybody for the support regarding us not running the Yukon Quest. We take full responsibility for pushing our schedule tighter than we should have and now we have moved on.

“Our apologies to the Yukon Quest for the inconvenience and we guarantee it will not happen in the future. To the Mushers who have backed us, your support means the world to both Laura and I. THANK YOU!”

Although a Yukon Quest rookie, Stielstra has completed the Iditarod eight times. He declined to comment for this story.

Past Quest champions Hugh Neff and Brent Sass threw their support behind Stielstra and Neese.

“Due to unfortunate circumstances, it looks like I might be withdrawing from the Yukon Quest,” Neff wrote on Facebook Monday night.

“As a musher I live from the Heart. If you mess with one of us you’re messing with me.

“All rules need to be negotiated for the best interest of the event. Dog races are more than just rules and regulations. They are a celebration of the northern lifestyle, of our culture and the dogs!”

Sass’ message read: “Never been so disappointed in the race I love and have focused my entire career on. I have a hard decision to make, one I am not happy about but It is important to follow ones heart and stand behind what you believe in.... that I know.”

Another Yukon Quest rookie, Severin Cathry was withdrawn from the race following Sunday’s vet check.

Race marshall Fabian Schmidtz said the musher was unable to provide proof that his dogs had received shots for the contagious bordetella, commonly known as ‘kennel cough’, which could be dangerous not only to the Quest dogs, but also to those in the communities.

“It’s very unfortunate and it’s not fun to make those calls,” Schmidtz said this morning.

He said reminder emails regarding up-to-date vaccines had been sent out to race participants leading up to last weekend’s vet check.

The Quest will begin in Whitehorse on Feb. 4, with 21 mushers scheduled to race.