PRESS RELEASE | CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
(Nespelem, WA) — A number of horse racing teams associated with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation participated this past weekend in the Championship of Champions Indian Relay event in Casper, Wyoming. The Colville teams excelled at all levels.
The Abrahamson Relay team took the championship in the Men’s Relay, making them the champion of champions in this event. Arrow Lakes Express posted a strong result as well, coming in second in the consolation round. Camp 6 took fifth place in Heat 5, Thunderwolf Express enjoyed a 1st place finish in Heat 6, Grizzly Mountain finished third in Heat 7, and Omak Express prevailed with first place in Heat 8. Stronghorse was disqualified.
In the Women’s Relay, Omak Express recorded a first place finish in Heat 1 while DTM Express finished third in that heat. Stronghorse Relay claimed second place in Heat 2.
Camp 6 earned a second place showing in Heat 2 of the Youth Relay. In the Junior Relay, Stronghorse brought Colville another championship with their win in the Championship Heat. Smoke Ranch acquitted themselves well in the consolation heat with a third place showing, while Thunderwolf Express was disqualified in Heat 1.
The Chairman of the Colville Confederated Tribes, Jarred-Michael Erickson, said, “I’m sure I speak for all of the Colville Tribes when I say I am incredibly proud of all of our teams that competed in this great event. It’s amazing to see two championship results in a national tournament like this. I truly believe the Colville Tribes has the best horsemen and horsewomen in the nation, period.”
The Chairman continued, “More importantly, all of our teams represented Colville very well this weekend, like the warriors they all are. There may have been some setbacks, but no one gave up. Every team can be proud of their competition in this event.”