Photo from 2023 Calgary Stampede Relay Races
Relay racing has been part of rodeo shows for approximately 40 years as organized relay races joined Indigenous rodeo in Fort Hall Idaho USA and became popular with the various First Nations in Alberta, especially here in Southern Alberta.
Meanwhile at the Calgary Stampede, Relay has been at the Grandstand for the past eight years and has become a main attraction just after the famous chuckwagons.
What brought Relay to Stampede was a movement nine years ago in 2015 from Tipi holders, Elders, Stampede Ambassadors, and Chiefs who wanted to display the skill of the various Relay teams.
History of Indigenous Nations and horses goes back roughly 500 years as horses where introduced by Europeans who came to Turtle Island which where quickly adopted intro plains culture.
While jocks gets much of the attention of the races, what makes relay special is the team coordination of five individuals assisting the jock make clean exchanges and launches.
Many teams are from family ranches and wear regalia that represents a part of their heritage, this is also reflected on the horses as they are painted in the family colours symbolizing their connection to their riders.
Calgary Relay Ambassador Brent Dodging Horse of Tsuut’ina says that while the sport grows, the female division has played a role of empowering women in Indigenous communities.
Relay races take place every evening of the Stampede right after the Chuckwagon races at the Grandstand on the Stampede Grounds.
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