After setting trend, Indian Relay is BACK!

The Indian Relay Race is coming back to the Phillips County Fair on Sunday, August 5.

The one and a half mile horse race, in which riders will have to switch horses three times, made such an impression that it will be back for its second consecutive year, with even more action. Including a third qualifying heat, two more teams, and a youth race.

This year's event hosted by The P.C. Fair Board and Northeast Corner Committee will also feature $15,000 in payouts.

Last year's Phillips County Fair Indian Relay wasn't only a success, it also started a new trend amongst the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council events. Traditionally Indian relay races are two-day events, but the 2017 Phillips County Indian Relay races have sparked a change.

"The Horse Nations Relay Council put on some one-day events last year," said Francine KillEagle, an event coordinator and member of the Northeast Corner Community Committee. "It was so popular after we did our one-day event, that (event coordinators) were interested in doing their own. That was pretty cool that we started a trend."

Though she was unable to attend any of the other one day relay events, KillEagle did hear of their success.

"It sounded like it was pretty popular and kind of short and sweet," KillEagle said.

This year's P.C. Fair will include many of last year's teams including Carlson Relay, the P.C. Fair's 2017 Champion; Mountain River Indnrly, Plainfeather Relay, Moccasin Flat, Alligator Creek, and Rides A Pretty Horse will also be back.

"We have four or five Browning teams that are lined up to come," KillEagle said. "We also reached out to a team from Washington. That's how far the word has spread."

This year's event will feature a new voice, as the P.C. Fair Indian Relay will be announced by a famous voice among Indian rodeo and relay followers.

"This year we have a famous Indian Rodeo announcer, his name is Ray Champ," KillEagle said. "He is pretty well known throughout the Indian Relay Country and throughout the rodeo circuit. We are pretty excited about that."

This year's event will feature 12 teams that will be split into three opening heats.

"Last year we did two heats to qualify for the consolation and championship," KillEagle said. "Last year we did two heats of five, this year we will do three heats of four."

At this time last year, upwards of 17 teams were interested in getting into the event, but the event was limited to ten spots. By going to 12 spots, it not only gives more teams a chance to race but spectators another round to watch.

Like last year's race, the Phillips County Fair race is an accredited event, that will qualify the winner for the Championship of Champions Race.

"Because we are accredited, our champion from last year went to that race," KillEagle said. "So the Phillips County Fair was mentioned as their winning moment."

Last year's Championship of Champions race was held in Billings, but this year's event will be held in Walla Walla, Wash.

The P.C. Fair Indian Relay is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 5, at 11 a.m. The three qualifying races will be held followed by a kid's race. Those events will be followed by the Parade of 4H Horse Champions at 1 p.m., and the Ranch Rodeo at 1:30 p.m. The Joe Kirkaldie Memorial Indian Mile Race is scheduled for 5 p.m. Then there will be the Rayel Brown Memorial ½ Mile Women's Race, the Calcutta, Consolation, and Championship Relay Races.

"We are really excited," KillEagle said. "We hope that people come and enjoy themselves. It will be a great time."