A new television series about horseracing is about to hit the small screen, but it’s not your typical horse race. Horse Warriors follows Indigenous relay racers as they train, compete, and strive for victory on the Indian relay circuit.
The Alberta filmed docuseries takes in such big competitions as the Enoch Gold Cup and the Calgary Stampede. Thoroughbreds make up most of the horses that take part, and they are usually owned and trained by the Indigenous teams who race.
During “Indian Relay” each rider gallops three laps around the racetrack on three different horses, jumping from one horse to the next. The team consists of the rider, the muggers who capture the horses, and the setters who hold the fresh horses for the riders to jump on and take off ‒ all done bareback.
The show will highlight the significant roles women play in this demanding sport. (courtesy of APTN)
“This is the Indigenous People’s contribution to the modern-day equine sporting world, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s a spiritual coherence, it’s a clarity, and it’s a responsibility towards wholistic wellness for the generations to come,” veteran race announcer Earl Wood from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta said in a statement.
The series focuses on the challenges that each team faces, from balancing work and family responsibilities to overcoming injuries and personal strife. Featuring both male and female athletes, the show highlights the significant roles women play in this demanding sport.
There are separate competitions for women, but that doesn’t prevent some women from joining male-dominated teams and riding against and alongside their male counterparts.
“Relay Racing allows us to experience, today, the centuries-old warrior spirit of Turtle Island’s plains peoples,” said show creator Neil Grahn.
The series premieres on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) on September 2. The 13-part series will broadcast nationally each Monday at 8:30 p.m., with episodes becoming available for streaming the following day on APTN lumi.
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