One Nation, Under God

First Hi-Line Relay Event an All-Around Success

A good amount of seats were taken up in the Grandstands of the Phillips County Fairgrounds last weekend, as the venue hosted the Hi-Line Relay.

The event, which featured three days of action-packed Indian Relay racing, started on Friday, June 25, and concluded on Sunday, June 27.

The event's championship, which was held on Sunday evening, was won by Carlson Relay of the Blackfeet Tribe from Browning, Mont. The PCN was able to catch up with Chazz Racine, the team's rider, who had a dominant weekend, winning the Joe Kirkaldie Memorial Mile earlier that day.

"The key to winning the championship race was just staying on top at the start, not getting back, and controlling myself," Racine said. "The exchanges weren't the smoothest but I finished it."

Preston Butterly of team Starr School was runner up in the championship, third place went to Mathew Pakootas Jr. of Strong Horse Relay, fourth went to Nolan Werk of Mountain River Relay, and fifth went to Richie DeRoche of DeRoche Team.

Mountain River was ahead early in the race, but eventually lost their lead to Strong Horse Relay in the first exchange. On the second exchange, Strong Horse Relay's switch went amiss. Racine was able to take the lead despite an imperfect change, and won the event.

"It's about just laying down and riding hard because it ain't over until it's over," Racine said.

Racine was also asked about his win in the memorial race, a mile-long event when riders only ride one horse the entire race.

"An event like this, the memorial, is a big deal," Racine said. "They are just like us; they are horse people. It is a big honor to win it because it means my hard work is paying off.

Mike Aimsback of Aimsback Relay took second place in the Joe Kirkaldie Indian Mile, Billy Longee Jr of Dakota Coup Counters was third, Dillon Kipp of Little Buffalo Stone was fourth, Preston Butterfly of Starr School was first, Randon Boyce of DeRoche Team was sixth, Matthew Pakootas Jr. of Strong Horse Relay was seventh and Andrew Cole was eighth.

Lane Kirkaldie of Moccasin Flatts (Lodgepole) won the Consolation heat. Second went to Dillon Kipp of Little Buffalo Stone, Dodson's Alex Werk of Timber Ridge was third, Dakota Coup Counters' Jayden LookingHorse was fourth, and Mike Aimsback of Aimsback Relay was fifth.

The Kids Relay was won by DCC JRZ of Spirit Lake, N.D.

Bill Main won the Chariot Race, Pat Ditmar was second, and Andrew Cole was third.

After the races, Shawn Kipp of Little Buffalo Stone was eager to share his take on how things went at the first Hi-Line Relay event.

"It was a good turnout," Kipp said. "Susan (Green) did an awesome job. The facilities and everything was good. I would come back anytime."

Kipp started racing horses in 1992, and was the champion at an event in Hays-Lodgepole that year. He was 13-years-old back then.

Green, the event's founder and coordinator, was asked how things went.

"I feel exhausted, but we made it through the weekend and that is all that matters," Green said. "We had a great turnout."

Green expressed gratitude to the teams, sponsors, spectators, fans, and volunteers.

In terms of spectators, Green was hoping for at least 150 spectators a day, a mark which the event exceeded each day.

"We have one of the best announcers announcing this event, Gayle Skunkcap Jr.," Green said.

Skunkcap Jr., shared his thoughts on how the weekend went.

"We had a great weekend here," Skunkcap Jr. said. "I think that it was a good success, (being that this was) the first time that this event happened here by these organizers. Susan Green has done a good job."

In the future, the Hi-Line Relay may be scheduled on a different weekend, so that other teams can participate. This year, the Hi-Line Relay had to compete with the Hardin Days, as well as a race in South Dakota.

"We already started throwing ideas around for next year," Green said. "We are talking about next year, so we will see."

 

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