Race season beginning and Indian Relay Race Invitational returning in July

“Post time on Saturday is at 1 p.m. Also, it’s the Kentucky Derby as well, so there are even more action and festivities, and we’re encouraging people of all ages to come down.”

Additionally, on September 14 and 15, the club will host the Indian Canadian National Rodeo in conjunction with the National Friendship Society Celebration when Lethbridge welcomes about 600 delegates to the national organization supporting friendship centres across Canada.

“In conjunction with the Blackfoot Cultural Society and the Friendship Society, we’re putting on our two major events. It’s the 50th anniversary of the National Association of Friendship Centres, and 150 centres across Alberta will be here.”

CEO Max Gibb speaking on Thursday afternoon

Indian relay is North America’s oldest competitive sport, as it dates back over 400 years to when the horse was first reintroduced to the native culture.

An Indian Relay Race consists of a team that features three horses, one rider, one catcher, one exchange holder and one back holder.

At the start, the rider will have both feet on the ground while the catcher holders onto the horse. The rest of the teams will be in designated boxes located in front of the grandstand.

A team’s rider does three laps around the track, changing to a new horse at the beginning of each lap. Two teammates stand at the edge of the track holding and calming the waiting horses for the incoming rider.

The fourth teammate’s job is to catch the arriving horse while the rider dismounts and leaps onto the next horse. The exchanges are the sport’s signature action.

These kinds of events have been a benefit to Lethbridge and area economically since they’ve been put on.

“We’re a $45 million economic impact to this area, which stimulates the economy and creates jobs. There are 1,000 licenced horsemen; people are working the backstretch of all ages caring for the horse and jogging the horses. We have jockeys from all over, from Jamaica, Mexico, and different places in Canada. There are now six racetracks in Alberta that we’re celebrating because we’ve become a little mecca of Canada, we are not tearing down race tracks – we are building them,” Rossi said.

With this being the second year for the Indian Relay Race Invitational, in particular, Rossi says it’s a lot more fun for her to show up on a race day and know what to expect now.

“Especially with the race fans. They show up with big hats, in all their derby gear and create their own little paddock parties. There’s so much to do and so much to see, and how often do you hear the word free? It’s open to the public, and there’s no charge to come down.”

by Aaron Mahoney

Race season beginning and Indian Relay Race Invitational returning in July

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