Horse Nations Indian Relay Council offer races for skilled participants all during the summer season.
GILLETTE, Wyo.-Each summer, many Native Americans enjoy participating in a centuries-old Indigenous sport. Horse Nations Indian Relay "Tour of Champions 2018" began in late May in Gillette, Wyoming. For the opening event, teams converged from six states and Canada to try to earn their entry into the year-end Championship of Champions. Indian Relay is a centuries old form of horse racing that shows the athleticism of both the rider and horses. Riding bareback, the rider makes three laps around the track, each lap on a different horse possessing both speed and skill. Four to six teams (12-18 horses) are on the track at one time.
Calvin Ghost Bear, president of HNIRC says, "Gillette is the kickoff of a multi-race summer tour that leads to the Championship of Champions September 21-23rd in Kennewick, Washington. Both places will be new to us this year, but the 2017 champion, Scott Abrahamson, is from Washington and there are many teams from that area. I think the teams will be excited, the town of Gillette was very welcoming to us, and the well-maintained racetrack made it the perfect place for our season opener."
