By Tyrone Sitting Eagle
From March 31st to April 3rd, the Siksika Children’s Prevention Early Intervention Aikaaysiaapi and Children’s Services hosted the 3rd Annual Warrior Relay Riding Camp! The event provided youth and community members the chance to learn about riding, racing, and training horses from experienced industry professionals such as Champion Relay Racer Chazz Racine, Jarrett Pretty Young Man, Cody Big Tobacco, Allison Red Crow, Logan Red Crow, Mark Big Tobacco, Casey Maguire, Brooker Pretty Young Man, Rufus Pretty Young Man Jr, Elder Rufus Pretty Young Man Sr, and Tyler Leather. Program coordinator and creator Jarrett Pretty Young Man was excited, as there was a growing number of participants this year, and he ensured that a dedicated group of individuals was there to facilitate.
Many trained horses, as well as untrained horses, were present to provide hands-on training to riders of all skill levels, from beginners to more experienced participants. This allowed each participant to learn the fundamentals, from saddling a horse to learning how to relay race. A big highlight of the camp was the opportunity to witness the training of a horse. Champion racer Chazz Racine provided an in-depth demonstration, showcasing his skill and expertise in training a horse that had not been ridden before.
One of the main purposes of hosting this event was not only to get youth involved with horses but also to provide them with healthy outlets and promote healthy living. Horsemanship has a long history in Siksika, with many knowledgeable and passionate people in the horse industry, who are eager to help the youth in the community find their own passions.
Pretty Young Man expressed his excitement about the camp’s growing popularity over the past few years, saying, “This camp is very popular, and it’s been running for over three years. All the participants get a lot of exposure from the ground up, dealing with wild horses and turning them into saddle horses. They also learn about the racing industry and how to properly care for thoroughbreds, with a lot of hands-on learning,” he said in an interview with Siksika Media.
A great aspect of this camp is that participants aren’t just learning from anyone—they’re learning from individuals who not only make a living in the industry but have also worked as stuntmen in movies and are champion riders themselves. This ensures the best possible training, while prioritizing the safety of each individual taking part. With this being a very successful year for the Relay Riding Camp, it has seen many new participants, bringing a variety of individuals eager to learn about horses and racing. This is helping youth find a healthy way of living and ensuring that horse culture in Siksika remains strong.
