Inside Indian Relay, America’s Original Extreme Sport

Indian Relay is a dangerous and high-stakes game. It’s the X Games of the horse-racing world. It demands mastery of horsemanship and a taste for adrenaline. Four teams race bareback on thoroughbreds along a quarter-mile track, with jockeys jumping off one horse and onto another once per lap. The area where the fast-paced horse exchange happens—known as “the box”—is a scene of bracing chaos. Riders must jump off a galloping horse and onto another while dodging other teams’ horses in close proximity. It’s for a good reason that they call this “North America’s original extreme sport.” Read more:

“Fast Horse” was directed by Alexandra Lazarowich. It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.

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