Rider from Horse Nations tribes can connect with "warriors of the past" through Indian relay races

Indian Relay is a thrilling and perilous race in which riders risk colliding with massive horses. However, according to team manager Mason Red Wing, the profound bond with these majestic creatures has had a life-saving impact on him.

Red Wing was raised on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, filled with frustration towards his community. Native American communities experience elevated levels of substance misuse, and unfortunately, Red Wing's father tragically battled with alcohol addiction. The horses that Red Wing's team brings to Indian Relay races have rekindled his connection to his culture and instilled in him a sense of pride in his identity and heritage.

"The horse's impact on my life is something that I believe can be replicated for others countless times," he expressed. "And I strongly support it." It has the potential to bring our youth, both males and females, back.

What is Indian Relay?

The indigenous peoples of the Great Plains, including the Shoshone, Crow, Blackfeet, Sioux, and other tribes, have long depended on horses for various purposes such as hunting, warfare, and overall sustenance throughout the ages. People of all ages and genders from these tribes also participate in a thrilling sport that enthusiasts have affectionately named "America's original extreme sport."

At Indian Relay, a remarkable number of six thoroughbred racehorses are gathered at a starting line etched in the dirt. They ride without saddles or stirrups.

The riders, without any protective gear, swiftly mount their horses and race down the track upon hearing a horn. After completing the initial lap around the half-mile track, team members eagerly await new horses for what is commonly referred to as the exchange.

Participants swiftly dismount from their steeds, hop onto the new horses, and race away for another circuit. Their fellow team members must corral the fast-paced stallions that have completed the initial circuit. Next, the riders and their teammates go through the same procedure once more for the third and last lap. The exchange can include six riders, 18 horses, 18 other individuals, and a swirling cloud of dust created by the fast-paced racing.

The exchange poses a risk not only to the riders but also to their eagerly waiting teammates. According to Ken Real Bird, an announcer for races, injuries to both people and horses are unfortunately common in the sport.

"Nearly every race will witness a few individuals being overwhelmed," Real Bird stated.

The women's division of Indian Relay only consists of two laps. In the children's category, featuring riders as young as 6, kids compete on ponies, completing three laps around a significantly shorter track.

Indian Relay today

The Indian Relay circuit concluded in Casper, Wyoming, last summer with an exciting three-day championship event that honoured tribal culture through the power of music, drums, and dance. Participants could win a substantial amount of prize money, exceeding $100,000, courtesy of the generous sponsorship from a casino owned by the Northern Arapahoe tribe.

Indian Relay is a sport that requires immense dedication and effort, with minimal focus on glamour. Each team operates independently, and almost all participants have a separate occupation to support themselves financially. However, the popularity of the sport is increasing. The prize money and the number of participants are both increasing; a total of 67 teams took part in the championships held last summer.

The horses they offer are improving as well. Teams visit prominent racetracks to acquire — and subsequently breed — high-speed thoroughbred horses that are ideally suited for the Indian Relay style.

Ghost Bear envisions introducing Indian Relay to Churchill Downs, the renowned venue of the Kentucky Derby.

"Kentucky, that would be the absolute best," Ghost Bear exclaimed. "My objective would be to have a trial race before the Derby."