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The epic event of Women’s Indian Relay Racing hits full stride at NDSF. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
“This is just deep rooted in our community. Our family gets excited. Horses bring us all together and stand us right beside each other and back us together,” said Hailey Vigen of Mandaree, North Dakota.
Indian relay races and female racing are making massive strides. The North Dakota State Fair (NDSF) hosted its first ever Women’s Indian Relay Race on July 25, along with the Men’s Indian Relay Races and Championship Race for the second consecutive year, and the grandstands were packed.
Hailey and her sister, Jessee Vigen, are part of North Dakota’s leading ladies when it comes to Women’s Indian Relay Racing. With impeccable exchanges on the track to the explosive strides on the straight aways, the Vigen sisters and their teammates, Kenzie Robertson and Cecily Robertson, not only took home the championship at the NDSF but have captured the hearts of roaring crowds here in North Dakota and beyond.
“I like that fire in a horse’s eyes; I don’t care if they are a little uncontrollable or if they don’t slow down. I can feel it, you know, when you bridle them up, they are ready to go, right then,” explained Vigen, prior to the race.
Saddle Butte Sisters pre-track. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
The sisters grew up riding saddle horses. “I started riding bareback for the Ultimate Warrior Challenges, which are races held on the reservations that showcase our athlete ability where they have a runner, a canoer, and rider that rides bareback 9-12 miles between 3 to 4 different horses,” explained Vigen.
The sisters started their racing career in the maiden races. “At my first qualifier, I was 14 years old, and we went to Billings and qualified for the Champions of Champions race. The next year came, and we entered the first ever women’s relay in Walla Walla, Washington,” said Vigen. “When we first started, we just brought our saddle horses and thought we would try it out. We didn’t do too bad, so we just stuck with it.”
History in the making. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
When it comes to mares or geldings, Vigen said that she has always preferred geldings, but lately she has been riding a grey mare that she says doesn’t let her down. “She runs her heart out for me every time,” stated Vigen. The grey mare is named ‘Big Jim’s Silvergal’ and won the Horse Nation’s Indian Relay season opener in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota for Vigen.
“Where I come from, we are the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara people; our tribe is known horsemen. We have champions on horses all the way around from team ropers to bronc riders to all-around,” smiled Hailey.
Dancing Warriors [Photo: Tisa Peek]
The Dancing Warriors of Pine Ridge, South Dakota emerged through the sweltering hot racetrack and grandstands crossing the finish line in the championship round of the Men’s Indian Relay of the NDSF for first place prize money and championship belt buckles.
The Dancing Warriors lineup is led by William Brewer, and the rest of the team consists of Kaden Brings Plenty, Harley Brewer, Davis Yellow Bull, and Holden Holiday, all of Pine Ridge.
Dancing Warriors buckle presentation [Photo: Tisa Peek]
“I used to go on trail rides with all these kids. They wanted to be a part of it, so we started getting the team built and now we have been racing together for about 8 years,” said Brewer. “A lot of the horses we buy off the track; they are thoroughbreds. We bring them home and work with them and get them going and practice at our local track.”
Champions. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
During the NDSF event, Brewer said that all the horses did well. “Everything just kind of fell into place. The exchanges all went good, especially with all the activity and excitement — it worked out,” added Brewer.
“Indian relay racing is an exciting sport. It is something the kids want to do, so we found a way to do it,” said Brewer. “Horses have always been a part of my life. They are medicine. When you’re having a rough day, just go spend some time with a horse, and it gets better.”
The Dancing Warrior Family. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
The next stop for the Dancing Warriors will be their home turf for the annual fair in Pine Ridge and home to the Run with the Warriors Indian Relay Race.
Tisa Peek is a long-time horse trainer, competitor in barrel racing and team roping, and writer about the equine. Rodeo and horses run deep in her roots. JT Family Equine is where she calls home, south of Bismarck, ND. Tisa, along with her husband, Jon, and boys, Blu and River, train horses and host clinics. Tisa is the host for Dakota Cowboy on BEK TV.