Indian Country Relay Racing, No place for old men or wimps...
The season start of ''Indian Relay Racing'' will be on full display this coming week.
The basic rules of Indian Relay Racing..
The rules of Indian relay racing, generally simple, can vary somewhat from event to event. Teams are composed of four people and three horses. Team members are usually all from the same reservation, and often are members of the same family. Any breed of horse may be entered into the race, but thoroughbreds are the most common breed. Many are retired racehorses from the thoroughbred industry. Only one team member competes as jockey, riding all three horses in succession.
Another team member serves as the “grabber,” catching each finishing horse as the jockey dismounts. The other two team members are “holders” who try to contain and quiet the second and third horses along the rail until it’s time for their legs of the relay.
Some events require riders to dress in Native regalia, while others don’t. All races are ridden bareback; something Indian kids do routinely, which bears testimony to their riding ability. Racers start from a mark on the track rather than from starting gates, and jockeys remain afoot until a starter signals them to leap aboard their first horse—and then it’s off to the races.
Indian Relay Racing has become more and more popular the last decade, but it's origins are lost in time. The one thing that remains constant is the Indians truly are ''The Horse People''....
Indian relay racing has come a long way since I was a kid racing in a pasture... A lot of broken bones and thrills...Nothing like being on the back of your 1,000 lb horse running out of control, no saddle and fighting to stay on board and get to the exchange first where more danger awaits you.
Ya just gotta love it.
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Anyone ready go give it a try?
mangide`ewin
Very cool. That is a mile track and they went around it twice so it was a two mile race. The winner made the best exchanges.
Actually they went around three times JR...Yup, the exchanges are critical and damn dangerous...
I think they had exchanges on both the near and the far side of the track (grandstand side and backstretch) , Each rider rode 4 horses and they changed after every half mile. Unless I was mis seeing something.
Damn, I had money on the kid in the yellow shirt....lol.
Thanks for your donation SP...LOL
We used to go to these kind of races when we lived in Pawhuska OK. The races were held in an old abandoned rodeo grounds near the Indian Reservations, and participated in by the Cherokee, Osage, Pawnee and Ponca, so that the towns people could come and see them. The horses were all decked out with paint and feathers, and the riders wore their Tribal regalia.
Betting was a serious business among the visitors, and as I was only 8 y/o at the time, there was little interest on that, I was only there for the races. However, we kids had our own choice riders, and we rooted for them loud and clear. (grin)
Since moving away from Pawhuska I have missed them, and would love to see them in person again and enjoy the excitement.
They are exciting, no doubt about that RW.
I have never seen this before. How exciting!! Riding bareback takes a lot of skill and muscle.
I've got to go to one of these. How do you find out where and when they take place?
Most take place in MN, the Dakota's, Montana and Wyoming and central Canada. I don't believe that there are any on the east coast, it's a plains Indian thingy.
Your's truly is a charter members of the club...
I forgot, also add Oklahoma...In fact there are more and more states that are sponsoring the races. It's now billed as the Number 1 extreme sport in the US..
Great contest.
Have to admit my favorite part include the first photo and the background scenes in the remaining photos of the exchanges..
What a handful.
To say the least dave. It's a hell of a ''ride''.
Gives new meaning to the phrase "shut up and ride".
I bet by the time it's over, EVERYONE including the horses and the audience are worn out for the rest of the day. Well, maybe enough energy left to party a little, but that's it. Really must be something to see in person.
It's a hell of a day. If you are part of the race, jockey/handler/catcher and survive without a trip to emergency you can party till you drop...LOL
Dear Brother and Very Close Friend Kavika: Past a certain point in time it is very hard to comprehend North American history minus the relationships between the horse and Indigenous Populations. As well for inhabitants of greater Mongolia and their horses.
Horse riding skill sets and survival are intimately intertwined.
These and Mongolian festivals reflect such.
Great article.
Super activities.
The closest we come to that where I reside is going to Jay's Diner. Consuming their Five Alarm Chili. Then driving home in bumper to bumper traffic in time to reach a rest room.
That is a separate group of control and riding skill sets.
Enoch, Playing, "Beat the Clock".
Indians and Mongols have the same relationship with their horses. We are one.
I'd do it if not for the exchanges
LOL, hey Sandy that's part of the race. Can't have one without the other.
Well, then. Maybe someday when I'm retired and don't have to worry about missing work while bones heal.
Ha, good plan Sandy..
The exchanges can be a bit rough on one...
Cool!
Would have been nice to try back in the day when i wasn't old and fat but honestly, even as crazy i was back then, not sure i would have.
LOL, well you do have to be a bit on the wild side to do it. But, if you're raised around/on horses it isn't nearly as crazy as it looks...Well, maybe it is.
Riding a horse bareback is one of scariest things I've ever done. Once this horse got scent of the barn I was not able to hold her back. Quick changes of direction didn't help, but somehow I managed to hold on! Adrenaline will do that for ya!
LOL, yup and a healthy dose of fear/panic and seeing your life pass before your eyes will do it as well.
Dear Friend Greg Jones: Adrenaline helps with other forms of bare back riding not involving horses.
But I digress from the topic at hand.
Enoch, Fondly Recalling Harder Times.
I know what you mean....
Oh the sweet memories....