FAITH, SD – The athleticism of both horse and rider is on display during Indian relay races during the Faith Stock Show and Rodeo, where championship-winning teams, great horses, and amazing horsemanship make for an action-packed sporting event.
Races that include three divisions, Warrior, Chief and Maiden, plus a Kids Relay, are set for Saturday, August 10th at 5:30p.m. and Sunday, August 11th at 1:00p.m.. It’s one of the most popular events during Faith Stock Show week, according to long-time stock show secretary, Gnene Fordyce.
The relay team consists of four members and three horses; a rider, a mugger, (a person who brings the horse onto the track at the start of the race and gets the jockey safely on); a holder and a catcher. The four-legged team is comprised of the leader horse, intermediate horse and the finishing horse.
Fierce competition, grueling endurance, and strong bonds are all part of Indian relay racing. Heritage, horsemanship, skill, and the inevitable chaos of exchanges show the skills of the team riders.
Relay tells the story of what every championship-winning Indian Relay team must have; great horses, amazing horsemanship, guts, incredible determination – and most importantly – a bond between rider and horse.
The 114th Faith Stock Show & Rodeo is wrapping up its final weekend with SDRA/NRCA/MSRA rodeo performances, parades, pie socials and more, including the action-packed Indian Relay Races. For more information, see the Faith Stock Show & Rodeo on Facebook.
