Indian relay set for Saturday, Sunday at fairgrounds

With the first-ever Indian relay race at the Great Northern Faigrounds held less than two months past, people have another chance to see the fast-paced event again this weekend, and the organizer said it should be a great show.

"We have 18 of the best teams in the world showing up," Tim Rosette Jr. said this morning.

One of those is the world champion Indian relay team from Pryor, he added.

The Battle of Nations Indian Relay race is set for Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds, with a calcutta set for Saturday night at Northern Winz Casino.

In an Indian relay, teams race three horses around the track. The same competitor rides all laps, but switches horses for each lap.

The event packed the arena during the Great Northern Fair, and Rosette said people should get their tickets earlier rather than later.

The event has the main relay along with a kids' relay, a chiefs' relay and a women's relay.

The women's competition should be something to watch, Rosette said, with two women who competed in the July race returning.

"That was one of the best races we had," he said.

Rosette said events start Saturday at 4 p.m., with the gates opening at 2 p.m.

After Saturday's competition, the calcutta will be held at Northern Winz, with people competing to "buy" teams. A prize will go to the buyer if the team ends up winning Sunday.

The competition resumes Sunday at 2 p.m.

Rosette said he expects to run 20 to 30 heats over the weekend.

Rosette said tickets are available at R-New Trading Post in Havre at 642 First St. West and at Prairie Brew Espresso at 154 U.S. Highway 2 in Box Elder, and through Rosette and a resident of Fort Belknap. Rosette said people can call or text him at 399-6320 for more ticket information.

Advance tickets are $20 for one day or $35 for both days. At the gate, tickets will be $25 for one day or $40 for both days.

He said he is pleased with how things worked out with the first relay at the fair.

"With a little bit of help we got that track built and put on a great show," Rosette said.

He said he is meeting with people over the winter to start planning for more relays next year.

No one really knows for certain how the relays started, Rosette said, although it is certain it started with Plains tribes a hundred years or so ago, and has grown into a major event with competitions held throughout the summer in the Western states.

"It's one of the most exciting things you can see on a horse, really," Rosette said.