(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, September 17, 2014 ) SHERIDAN, Wyo. – The Professional Indian Horse Racing Association is happy to announce that the 2014 PIHRA All Nations Indian Relay Championships in Sheridan this past weekend were an absolute success! More than 15,000 attended three sessions of Relay Racing at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, which will become the permanent home for this annual event.
2014 Winners and World Champions: 1. Omak Express – Omak, Washington/Colville Confederated Tribes 2. Lakota Warpath – Oglala, South Dakota/Oglala Sioux 3. White Calf – Browning, Montana/Blackfeet 4. Grizzly Mountain – Omak, Washington/Colville Confederated Tribes 5. Young Money – Browning, Montana/Blackfeet
These five teams shared a $21,000 purse provided by sponsors Polo Gear and R & F Industries along with the coveted Champions’ Jackets and Buckles. The remainder of the $50,000 purse was paid out to other teams in the competition.
Indian Relay is America’s oldest sport and is now resurging as the worlds’ newest extreme sport! Teams from Horse Nations spread across the northwestern plains intensely compete against each other throughout the summer months to earn their place at the All Nations Indian Relay Championships.
Indian Relay originated on the plains of North America over 400 years ago, when the horse was an integral part of Native Americans’ daily lives. The races are not only a demonstration of bravery, courage and amazing horsemanship but also an important connection to a historical and spiritual element of their culture. Today, riders compete not in the spirit of warfare but for “Native Pride” – it’s in their DNA! More than 30 elite teams representing 15 Indian nations from across North America competed in the All Nations Championships.
The Sheridan County Fairgrounds was chosen to host the annual event because Indian Relay Races have been an important part of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo for decades and it is geographically situated at the most convenient location. Large crowds enjoyed not only exciting horse racing but traditional Native American singing and dance, presentation of the colors by Native members of the military, and other traditional cultural celebrations including food and crafts, making the weekend-long event a well-rounded celebration enjoyed by all.
The Professional Indian Horse Racing Association was founded to promote Indian Relay, horsemanship and safely. There were 17 founding teams the first year; one year later membership has grown to 40 teams’ and they expect to continue to grow especially with events such as the Championships showcasing the sport. The vision of the teams and the entire membership is of relay becoming a viable cultural and economic entity on the reservations.
Visit www.indianrelay.com and www.sheridanwyoming.org for more information about Indian Relay. Purchase your season tickets now and become part of the explosive action at this exciting annual event. Contact the WYO Theater box office at 307-672-9084 or online at www.wyotheater.com for season ticket information.
