America’s ‘original’ extreme sport returns to the Hat

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 10, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede has announced tickets are now on sale for the return of the Indian Horse Relay Races competition, which drew large crowds to the exciting event during its inaugural appearance in the Hat last summer.

The sport, which pays homage to the spiritual importance of horses in Indigenous culture, has riders competing in a relay race on thoroughbred horses with no gear around the half-mile track.

But instead of passing a baton to their teammates on the running track like a traditional relay race, riders on the same team switch positions by jumping off and onto the horse, known as the ‘exchange’ which presents exciting, unpredictable and often dangerous moments for riders as several horses enter and leave the ‘pit’ area, vying for a first-place finish.

Additionally, both riders and horses are dressed in traditional warrior body paint as part of the regalia during the races.

Typically the entertainment and thrill arrives in plentiful supply, while crashes, falls and injuries are just part of the competition.

This year the Stampede is hosting two days of thrilling action down at the Grandstand on Aug. 23-24. Two-day passes are on sale for $25 and can be purchased online at tickets.mhstampede.com.

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