INDIAN.RELAY
The Embassy of Canada is currently featuring the INDIAN.RELAY exhibit, which depicts one of the most competitive, dangerous, and heart-pounding forms of horse racing in the world. Indian Relay is North America’s oldest extreme sport at over 500 years old, and teams consist of 4 people and 3 horses. A team’s rider races 3 laps around the track, changing to a new horse at the beginning of each lap. Two teammates stand at the edge of the track, holding and calming the awaiting horses for the oncoming rider. The fourth teammate catches the arriving horse while the rider dismounts and leaps onto the next horse. The race winner is the first rider to cross the finish line after the third lap.
50 of Canadian photographers Jason Lawrence and Julie Vincent’s photos are displayed in the gallery, along with a supplemental documentary provided by Canadian filmmaker Duncan McDowall. Jason and Julie spent several summers travelling around Alberta, Canada, following the races to capture these images which highlight the deep connections between riders and their families, whose ties span several Indigenous communities and sometimes across borders.
The awe-inspiring exbibit is open until May 31st, 2023, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm free of charge at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. We hope to see you there!