Relayhorse e-magazine March 2018 RHeM april 2018 4 15 18 PRINT READY | Page 12

FROM THE DESK OF
Calvin Ghost Bear
President of the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council
very pleased with the 2017 indian relay season. Horse Nations Indian Relay Council
I some am
worked hard to both preserve and expand the opportunities for indian relayers. We made
major moves by adding new races in both Dakota’s, and were successful in preserving
the financially-troubled year-end race in Billings, Montana. This success is owed to the relay
teams for having faith in us and our sponsors for supporting the cause. I personally thank the
13 race organizers that joined our effort to create a meaningful year-end championship event
by accrediting their races. I thank every one of the 46 teams that paid into our organization
and loaded their horses and hauled many miles to run at the accredited races we promoted.
I also give huge thanks to the many sponsors that helped support the costs associated with
operating such a venture. You all had faith in us.
For 2018 we have again made some major moves, starting with the ending…..the 2018
Championship of Champions. Concerns over the track conditions at 2017’s Championship
of Champions in Billings, MT lead us to try to negotiate for better ground. The HNIRC board brought these concerns to the table
with Metra Park’s management. The extreme cost of resurfacing, at our expense, along with the already high cost of renting the
facility, forced us to look for another place to race, one that would have safer conditions for the teams. We scoured race tracks
across the western states, requested multiple bids, checked the facilities, and chose Sun Downs in Kennewick, Washington. The
track is a working ⅝ mile racetrack, noted for very awesome weather in September. Moving the race was not taken lightly. After
all the consideration, we found it best for the safety of our teams to move the location of the
Championship of Champions to the Tri-Cities for 2018. I must say, I am very excited about this move!
For 2 years we have been in negotiations with the Cam-Plex, Gillette, Wyoming, to hold a relay race at it’s Morningside Park. We
were able to secure it for the “Cloud Peak Energy Resources Tour of Champions Season Opener 2018”. Cloud Peak has been a
long time supporter of indian relay. I want to thank them for working with us to make this opening race a reality.
I am also excited with the possibilities that exist with our brothers to the north, the Canadian Indian Relay Racing Association.
We have been talking about our upcoming seasons and what we can do to further our relationships beyond our borders to better
indian relay.
These advancements are only the beginning of what we feel will be filled with some of the best races for our “Tour of Champi-
ons” season. We are working daily to update our season calendar at www.horsenationsrelay.com . You
will also find the 2018 race accreditation and membership forms there.
INDIAN RELAY
TEAM MEMBERSHIP
INDIVIDUAL
MEMBERSHIP
JUNIOR/KID RELAY
TEAM MEMBERSHIP
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Horse Nations Indian Relay Council and I, would like to personally thank everyone for being part of our
2017 season. Thank-you for having faith in us. We welcome you to our “Tour of Champions 2018.”