Rodeo 101: Professional Indian Horse Racing

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Have you ever heard of or seen Indian Horse Racing? This event is something that is unlike any other event out there today and tells a story all its own. The basis of the event starts with five determined teams consisting of three horses, one rider, one mugger, and two holders, entering the track. They each take their designated box in preparation for the start of the race. It is pretty typical that the teams spend months practicing for the start of the race and ready to leap into action. There are fifteen horses total that are primed and ready to race. The holders and muggers take their place, ready to do their job through each exchange, despite the risk of personal injury to themselves, as the horses come in at a full gallop. They are all working together to keep their team safe and be the first to cross the finish line. Some of the different types of Indian horse racing include the following:

Indian relay racing
Indian flat track racing
Ladies Indian flat track racing
Cowboy and Indian flat track racing

There are several individuals, teams and sponsors who are all dedicated to promoting the sport of Indian racing in a professional manner. Indian racing allows Indian tribes to express their rich heritage and passion for horse racing in a fun and exciting manner. It also allows them to display this passion to a broader audience than they would be able to otherwise.

Each race is a little bit different depending on the format but the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council has come forth to create a league or Indian Horse racing that is a series of tournaments that lead to a championship at the end of the season in Walla Walla, Washington. This not only promotes the sport as a whole but also helps promote the event on a more local level. Because this event is culturally ingrained, it can be difficult to explain to anyone that hasn’t experienced it. By giving these events more recognition, we hope to do our part in educating the industry about Indian Horse Racing’s deep cultural roots.

The sport of Indian relay is technically America’s oldest sport, dating back to pre-European settlement days. It began nearly 400 years ago when the first horse was introduced to America. By promoting the sport, we are helping to promote an element of early America’s rich history and Indian culture, making it a noteworthy and important event. Remember, these guys are not riding in the saddle, which is what makes Indian racing so authentic.

Patrick OD O'Donnell

The moment a bull's gate swings open—that's when Patrick "OD" O'Donnell feels most alive. From his early days riding bareback through Arizona pastures to revolutionizing the bull riding industry as President of Bull Riders Only, OD has lived the Western lifestyle he now champions as Founder of Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Growing up in Casa Grande's sunbaked agricultural heartland, he didn't just learn about horses and ranching, he lived it daily, developing the instincts and grit that would later attract 4 million followers to CLN's authentic voice. After his baseball days at the University of Arizona, OD saw something others missed: bull riding wasn't just a sport, but was compelling entertainment waiting for the right vision. Between 1990-1997, his leadership transformed local rodeo competitions into sold-out arena events that changed Western sports forever. Today, that same pioneering spirit drives CLN's coverage of everything from championship rodeos to the quiet heroism of ranch life. When he's not building the digital home for cowboy culture, you'll find OD supporting Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, leading CLN’s 25-year Christmas Toy Drive for Arizona kids, or sharing his love of horsemanship with special needs riders through Arizona's own Horses Help. Living proof that authentic Western values still have the power to transform lives.