Relay racing becomes Calgary Stampede draw, broadcast on TV for first time this year
The Indigenous equestrian sport has grown from niche addition to one of the Stampede's biggest draws, with competitors vying for a $15,000 top prize.
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Relay racing, once viewed as a niche addition to the Calgary Stampede, has become one of the event's biggest draws, introducing thousands of spectators to one of the oldest Indigenous equestrian traditions on the Prairies.
The sport is fast-paced and rooted in Plains Nations traditions. Teams of riders compete around a racetrack, with each rider completing one lap before dismounting and leaping onto a fresh horse held by teammates. Unlike traditional horse racing, riders jump without a saddle while teammates manage fresh horses under control. Clean exchanges can be the difference between winning and losing, making speed, horsemanship, and teamwork just as important as the horses themselves.
Relay racing was added to the Calgary Stampede in 2017, and the Lady Warrior races were introduced in 2023. For many competitors, the sport has been passed down through generations. "My grandpa started Carlson Relay in 1982. We went on a lot of races over a lot of years, grinding away," said Jesse Carlson of Browning, Montana.
This year, following the chuckwagon races, relay racing will be broadcast on TV across the country on Sportsnet — a milestone for the sport. Competitors from across Canada and the United States are vying for the top prize of $15,000. "It's exciting. Everyone's been wanting the relay races on Sportsnet, and now we finally got it," one racer said.
