Indian Relay Races – rousing success

BUFFALO, WY – On both Saturday and Sunday, June 11 & 12, 2021 the grandstands at Johnson County Fairgrounds were packed to capacity – standing room only for the 2021 Tour of Champions Indian Relay Races.  Most of the crowd was non-Indian, sprinkled with Crows, Arapahoe and Northern Cheyenne, Indians from nearby reservations, most in support of their reservation teams.

One non-Indian visitor, Amy Payton traveled all the way from Kansas City to attend the races. “It is so thrilling, reminding me of what the old warriors must have been like. There is no other sport like it and now I’m addicted,” she vowed.

The two-day Tour of Champions Indian Relay Race was devoted exclusively to Indian Relay Races. Two Medicine Team, Blackfeet won the Ultimate Championship Men’s Championship, a hard-fought two-day battle through many elimination trials.

The categories included: Women’s Relay (1 lap or1/2 mile); Chief Race (1 lap or ½ mile); Maiden’s Race (1 lap or ½ mile; Warrior Race (1 lap or1/2 mile; Kids Relay 12 and under -Building Future Champions; and the Men’s Championship requiring 4 previous heats to qualify.

Indian Relay Racing is perhaps the most dangerous equine sport. Proving the point were several serious injuries to riders who were than sidelined, requiring less experience substitutes which hampered the odds of victory.

Sadly, there was the death of one horse from the Tillman Team, WA, injured during the race. The necessary ‘put-down’ of that champion horse who blew a tendon in all-out effort to win the race was recommended by track vegetarians and equine EMTS.

Veteran Announcer, Kennard Realbird eloquently explained the audience about the spiritual regard that tribal people have for horses. “They are strong spirits, generous and strong hearted willing to sacrifice for us. We honor and revere the spirit of the horse”.

The Arapahoe drum group from Wind River was on hand to sing honor songs for all the winning champions and the horse who went on to the Next Camp.

Next week look forward to a behind-the-scenes Indian Relay Race story.

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

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