Warrior racing returns to Turf Club

The thrilling show, which features horses racing bareback around the track and riders in full gear demonstrating their agility by jumping on another horse in the middle of a race, returns to the Rocky Mountain Turf Club on Sunday, July 1.

Warrior races have been held in the grandstand for the past four years. Rose Rossi, general manager of the Rocky Mountain Turf Club, says the first Warrior race held in the grandstand was a success.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was up in the Eye of the Sky and looked down. I was standing there with Martin Heavy eHad and he said, ‘Wow, this is the biggest salt and pepper crowd ever.’ The crowds were huge. Everyone was enjoying the First Nations culture,” Rossi said.

Horsemanship is very important in indigenous cultures. Rossi says people are always surprised by the horsemanship of the riders, considering how intense the sport is.

“People are absolutely blown away by the horsemanship of our warriors. They have a team of three or four people standing off to the side holding a group of horses. A couple of guys are up top giving their horses a jump start. They wear the traditional First Nations clothing, moccasins,” Rossi said.

Horse racing isn’t the only thing happening in the stands on Monday. There will also be traditional dancing, live music and face painting. Rossi hopes this event will showcase the true meaning of Canadian culture.

“This is Canada, and our Indigenous people are Canada, and most of our history and their land here in Lethbridge and the area we sit on, the largest reserve, and it’s time to show the world what Canada is,” Rossi said.

Racing begins at 7 p.m. on June 30th and continues at 2 p.m. on July 1st. In addition to the regular relay races, there are Little Braves and Lady Warrior races. Admission is $10, with children under 7 and seniors free.

Rossi says this event will be fun for people of all ages.

“What can people expect on the two days of relay racing? Lots of action. It’s not to be missed,” said Rossi.

For more information about the races, visit www.rockymountainturfclub.com.

Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald