More than 400 years ago, the horse was an integral part of Native Americans’ daily lives and aided in a tribe’s survival. These creatures were imperative for a successful hunt but were also crucial for battle victories. The importance of this harmonious relationship has been handed down from generation to generation through oral history and, today, has developed into the most exciting and explosive competition between the Indian Nations of the Northern Plains – Indian Relay! Horse Nations intensely compete with each other throughout the summer months to earn their place at the All Nations Indian Relay Championships.

1. Media Kit 2015Media Kit 2015
Professional Indian Horse Racing Association

2. What is PIHRA?
• PIHRA is an association of teams, individuals and sponsors who participate in the sport
of Indian relay racing, Indian flat track racing, ladies Indian flat track racing and Cowboy
and Indian flat track racing.
• MISSION: PIHRA will bring the fun, excitement, passion and heritage of Indian Horse
Racing to a broader audience. PIHRA will strive to provide a safe and fair environment
for the team participants, their horses, and the event spectators.
• Starting with Indian Relay Racing, PIHRA, as the sanctioning body, will develop a season-
long championship series for each kind of racing, will ensure for each individual event
promoter involved in the series that a full field of the world’s best riders and teams will
participate in their event, that a uniform set of competition and safety rules will be
applied, that all participants ascribe to a Uniform Code of Conduct, that all teams will
be professionally attired, and that advertised purses will be paid.

3. What is Indian Relay?
The National Sport Of The Tribes Of the Upper Plains
Indian Relay is sport done mostly by Native Americans who live in northwestern United States. Some people
say that the sport has been going on for 100 years or more, but the actual origins are unclear. Relay appears to
have developed independently in different tribes and then competition between tribes commenced.
Indian relay consists of three horses and four men. One rider rides all three horses bareback, one mugger stops
the incoming horse, two holders, one who sets up the horse to be exchanged, and the back holder who
controls the extra horse.
The race starts in front of the grandstands. While starts vary from venue to venue, in most cases the rider is
mounted on the horse at the start. The rider takes the horse once around the racetrack and comes in for the
first of two exchanges. The exchanges happen in front of the grandstands. After the first exchange the rider
takes the second horse once around the track and comes in for the last exchange. He then races around the
track for the finish line on the final horse. In the course of the race the exchange is one of the most important
aspects, because a race can be won or lost in the exchange area. For most race fans, the exchange is the most
exciting part of the race because the horses may blowup, flip or get away from the setup man, or the incoming
horse may not stop, making the exchange very chaotic. It often becomes a classic case of organized mayhem,
but is always one of the most exciting parts of a spectator’s weekend!

4. PIHRA Directors
Dr. Ted Vlahos
Richard Kail
Gary Fellers
Jeanette Sassoon
Carol Murray, Blackfeet
Scotty Osborne, Blackfeet
Darrin Old Coyote, Crow
Newton Old Crow, Crow
Robert He Does It, Crow
Calvin Ghost Bear, Oglala Lakota
Benita Plain Feather, Nakota/Crow
Lynwood His Bad Horse, Northern Cheyenne
Tyler Peasley, Confederated Tribes of Colville
Kerry Carden, Confederated Tribes of Colville
Katherine Minthorn, Confederated Tribes of Umatilla

5. Wilmer Stampede Mesteth
Posthumous Honor Acknowledgement
PIHRA Director & Spiritual Leader, 1957-2015
It was the vision of Oglala Lakota spiritual leader Wilmer Stampede Mesteth, that Indian
Relay might be the catalyst to fulfill his ancestors prophesies that one day the white man
may come to know, and appreciate the Indian culture and spiritual ways; their connection
to the earth, to all things animate and inanimate and the circular nature and connectedness
of the universe. This holy man was instrumental in the development of the Professional
Indian Horse Racing Association. He was a great PIHRA supporter, visionary and one of the
original board members. Wilmer always walked the high road. Below is an excerpt from
Indian Country Today:
Wilmer Mesteth, Oglala Lakota Spiritual Leader, Walks On
“Mesteth will be remembered as the spiritual leader of the tribe, and as a man who was as
generous with his time and spiritual teachings as he was spiritually gifted. Mesteth served
his people in every possible way with guidance, direction and leadership. Mesteth lived in
the Cheyenne Creek community and was married to Lisa Standing Elk-Mesteth. He was a
cultural instructor at Oglala Lakota College for over 20 years where he taught traditional
songs, dance, traditional herbs and foods, language and history.
Mesteth also participated in the Big Foot Rides and the Crazy Horse Rides, supported the
Northern Cheyenne Fort Robinson Run and presided over the spiritual ceremony and
remembrance of the Battle of Little Big Horn.”
To Wilmer we are forever grateful for your generosity, wisdom and friendship.
Doksha Aki’

6. Feel the Action!!
Photo Release: Permission to use photos is granted; if used, please give credit to Diana Volk.Photo Release: Permission to use photos is granted; if used, please give credit to Diana Volk.

7. Media Contacts
Jeanette Sassoon
561-301-5522
info@indianrelay.com
Facebook: Professional Indian Horse Racing
Association
Nancy Harrison
Adventure Media
307-421-4473
nharrison@adventuremedianews.com
Professional Indian Horse Racing Association, LLC
P.O. Box 584
Ranchester, WY 82839
Email: info@indianrelay.com