Richard Froese
South Peace News
Horse racing action takes centre stage as Indian Relay Races return to the High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo Grounds from Sept 7-8.
Sucker Creek First Nation will host the event accredited by the Horse Nations Indian Relay Races.
Results of races count towards the Champion of Champions Race from Sept 20-22 in Casper, Wyoming.
Riders will be racing for prizes which includes a payout of $100,000 along with championship belt buckles.
Gates open each day at noon.
More than 3,000 people are expected each day, Sucker Creek economic development director Shirley Calliou says.
“Last year there were an estimated 3,500 people in the grandstand each day to watch this exhilarating sport and 18 teams,” Calliou says.
“This year, we expect as many spectators, if not more, and a whopping 36 teams maximum to enter.”
Prizes will also be given away for the best dressed team as all horses must be painted.
Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.
Riders from Treaties 4-6, 7 and 8 will compete in categories including men’s relay, women’s relay, chiefs’ race, warriors’ race and Little Braves’ race.
Sucker Creek is the only Treaty 8 team and the only Treaty 8 community hosting in the series.
Incredi-Bull Rodeos will host bull riding and Wahsatnow Rodeo hosts bronc riding to open action each day at 1 p.m.
Sucker Creek First Nation sponsors the horse team.
The horses are owned and trained by Austin Cunningham, accompanied by his father and chuckwagon champion Cliff Cunningham.
Their farm is located near Edmonton and they encourage Sucker Creek to take people down to visit and come and train to be part of the team.
Jonas Calliou, 17, of Sucker Creek, is the horse catcher of the 150A team,
“He has never been around horses, let alone getting up early in the morning to do his chores,” Shirley Calliou says.
“Jonas says he enjoys learning from Austin and Cliff and most importantly, he takes great pride in his role as horse catcher.”
In his first year, he is excited to show off his newly-learned skill.
Other members of the team are in their late teens and early 20s from Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Calliou also acknowledges the late Frank Pratt who had a longtime passion to bring Indian Relay Races to High Prairie for more than 30 years.
“He shared with Chief Roderick Willier last year when Chief personally invited Frank with a VIP admission to attend,” Calliou says.
“Frank was so ecstatic to not only be invited, but to see his dream finally come to fruition.
“He sat in his special VIP spot from beginning to end each day, his eyes fixated on the entire event.”
A lifetime supporter of rodeo and farming, Pratt passed away April 3, 2024 at age 97.
The event will also included an Indigenous vendors’ market, a kids’ fun zone and food vendors
Nightly dancing on Sept. 6 and 7 at the Edmo Peyre Hall starts at 9 p.m.
Music will be provided by Midnight Thunder.
Camping will be available.
Admission is $25 each day for adults
Seniors ages 60-and-over and children ages 6-and-under are free.
