7 PM at the North Dakota State Fair
Riders race bareback, switching horses at full speed each lap. Each team—made up of a rider, a mugger (who catches the horse), and a holder across three horses, showcasing incredible athleticism and coordination. As the horn sounds, the rider mounts and races around the track, switching horses twice in a daring display where the rider becomes the baton.
Heats include: Men’s, Women’s, Pony (Youth), and Champion. The MHA Indian Horse Relay is one of only two Indian Horse Relays in North Dakota, and the 3rd annual event at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot.
Included in the Grandstand Showpass or $30 individual tickets on the day of the event (depending on availability).
Between races, enjoy live cultural performances by MHA Tourism, featuring traditional Native American dances that celebrate heritage, healing, and strength.
Fancy Dancing:
A fast-paced, high-energy war dance performed by younger dancers, featuring two colorful bustles and vibrant regalia that reflect strength and agility.
Jingle Dress Dancing:
A traditional Ojibwe healing dance, the jingle dress style was revived by Geneva Seaboy-Morsette and symbolizes wellness and spiritual balance.
Women’s Fancy Dancing:
A dance symbolizing a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, with colorful, flowing shawls that mirror the grace and athleticism of the Men’s Fancy style.
Eagle Dance:
A sacred dance symbolizing strength, wisdom, and prayer, with the eagle believed to carry messages to the spirit world.
Grass Dancing:
Dancers wear fringes of yarn or ribbon, honoring a warrior tradition of flattening grass before ceremonies with their feet.
Traditional Plains War Dance:
Dancers wear a bustle made of eagle feathers, and the style is linked to the warrior societies on the plains.
History & Cultural Connection
Long before state fairs and stadiums, horse relay games were a way of life for Native tribes across the plains. These races were a test of skill and bravery, rites of passage, and a way to settle disputes or claim a territory.Â
Horses were essential in buffalo hunts, military scouting, and even as pony express messengers. Riders would leap from one horse to another at full speed—just like in today’s relays.
The modern Indian Relay is a celebration of that legacy, where teamwork, tradition, and raw talent come together in a breathtaking display of cultural pride.
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