Note: this another in the series on staycation spots in Saskatchewan.
The poster called them Indian Relay Races, races we’d seen bits and pieces of watching the Calgary Stampede on the tube.
This was a chance to see the entire race meet in the Old Cowtown of Maple Creek.
The man-made dirt hill grandstand is unique, serving the purpose well.
Preceded by an exciting pony race with youngsters, we waited.
The announcer Joe Braniff called these the Indian Relay Races.
Some people would wince at that name, he said, and explained why he calls it that way.
Talking to an Indigenous cowboy, Brown asked whether to call him First Nations, Indigenous, native or what?
The cowboy replied: “It doesn't matter as long as it’s done with respect.’’
This third annual relay race is part of the Indian culture, reflecting centuries-old bonds between horse and rider and the spirit of the horse.
The races were entertaining with a dangerous side.
Teams consist of two horses and four people — two holders, a rider and a mugger who tries to control the spirited animals.
The riders head off around the track riding bareback.
Arriving at the relay point, they jump off one horse and onto the second. That jump is dangerous and can make or break the race placing.
The horses are thoroughbreds that have completed their racing career. One horse was sired by a Kentucky Derby racer.
The spirited horses often run before the rider is safely on board, leaving the rider in the dust and giving the mugger a hard time.
One horse ran around the track riderless.
The race meet ended with 31 junior steer riders. The top 12 rode again sharing $4,000 in prize money.
We met some of the steer riders. They looked about 14 years old.
Competitors at both events came from Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The evening also featured two women riding side saddle as done in the Old West. Their vintage garments and saddles had interesting history.
If attending the annual event, be sure and buy a ticket in advance. Walk-ins paid 60 per cent more.
The trip gave us time to visit the toy store, which has 35,000 units of toys, puzzles, games and novelties.
Next door, a candy store shows all kinds of items for the sweet tooth and with an ice cream stand.
Driving into the old cowtown, you know you’ve hit something special with the iron cutout arch right across the street, telling the history of this Cypress Hills community.
The town has two neat museums, again displaying pride in the history.
The old downtown stores offer antiques, crafts, a craft brewery and much more.
The historic Commercial Hotel sits empty. The renovated place closed under financial difficulties and then a flood damaged the basement rendering the three-storey hotel unusable.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected] -30
