Relay races ride out Whoop-Up Days rodeo

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 27, 2024.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad Horses and riders make their way up the track as they compete in the relay race finals on Saturday night as part of the Whoop-Up Days Rodeo.

The action-packed rodeo of Whoop-Up Days concluded with the popular relay races. Whoop-Up Days Rodeo is the only professional rodeo in Canada to host Relay Races as part of its main event.

Relay Races are a team sport where the rider, who rides bareback, transfers to two different horses in three laps. The first one to cross the finish line wins.

Rose Rossi, General Manager of Rocky Mountain Turf Club, says the relay races are always a hit at the grandstand.

“People are absolutely blown away by the horsemanship of our warriors,” said Rossi.

This year there were 10 teams to competing in the relay races from all over Alberta and Montana.

The winner was Carlson Racing from Browning Montana, the Blackfeet Nation headquarters.

While Whoop-up days ended on Saturday, people can still take in the Warrior Relay Races at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club on Sept. 28 and 29.