6/21/2023
(Auburn, WA) The 7th annual Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay took center stage with a 3-day event culminating with the Championship races this past Sunday. Below is coverage and interviews from each day of this very popular event with relay teams from all-over the Northwest.
Up first we talked with Muckleshoot Tribe Chairman Jaison Elkins on the importance of this event to the Native culture. Elkins says he hopes one day the Muckleshoot Tribe will have a team to participate but says the origins of the relay comes from the tribes on the plains where horsemanship was a major took in their daily lives. Here’s our conversation with Chairman Elkins:
We also talked with the MC and lead organizer of the Gold Cup at Emerald Downs, Gayle SkunkCap. SkunkCap says the beauty of this event highlights the not only the horsemanship of the competitors but the amount of work and training that goes into competing in this very dangerous event. The athleticism is incredible and the pride each team member has representing their tribe is clear when you them compete. Here’s our full interview with SkunkCap:
There was some great entertainment during the weekend as well with native music and dance!
Native American Dance Exhibition
Native American Singer Nicole Suyama
Let’s get to the races. We begin with the preliminary races on Friday and Saturday followed by Sunday’s consolation races and the Championship race. At the bottom is a list of each team and all their team members along with their nation and location and Team Owner and a large Picture Gallery.
Preliminaries on Friday
Heat 1 Results & Re-Cap
1st Abrahamson
2nd Omak Express
3rd Cedar Ridge
4th Strong Horse Relay
5th Starr School
6th Teton
2018 Champion Team Abrahamson got off to a fast start thanks to a flawless 1st exchange after a pretty competitive opening heat. As the 6 entered the 1st turn it was anyone’s race but Scott Abrahamson was able to extend their lead in the 100 yards which proved to be huge as Abrahamson had the clean exchange it was not for the others.
As the teams came in for the 2nd exchange several of the horses got caught up with each and team Teton took the brunt as their rider was unable to get on and Teton’s 2nd horse was loose and they were out of the race.
Omak Express was best able to clear the congestion and settled into 2nd place while Cedar Ridge trailed but were well clear of Strong Horse Relay and Starr School.
Abrahamson won by at least 6 lengths over Omak Express who made a good run for 2nd, Cedar Ridge finished 3rd, 4th went to Strong Horse Relay, 5th Starr School and Teton did not finish.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Heat 2
1st BirdinGround Relay
2nd Two Medicine
3rd Old Sun
4th Carlson
5th Counting Coup
6th Mountain Crow Relay
In a year of the newcomer at Emerald Downs it was no surprise another one won in the 2nd heat of the Muckleshoot Gold Cup. Birdinground Relay from Crow, Montana trailed Carlson Relay for the 1st half mile but a quick change of mounts at the 1st exchange was again the difference in the race.
Unlike the 1st heat where 1 horse got loose there was still a traffic jam at the 1st exchange with one team nearly losing their horse with no rider but great work by the handler allowed the rider to get on and stay in the race. Meantime, 1st time participant 18-year-old Tristan BirdinGround took advantage with a slick exchange and quickly built a lead he would not give up for BirdinGround Relay to take the win.
Carlson Relay would be 2nd after the 1st mile but would get passed by Two Medicine who finished a clear 2nd. Old Sun then made a nice late run to nose out Carlson Relay for 3rd at the wire. Counting Coup would finish 5th and Mountain Crow Relay was last. However, the rider Joey Gutierrez for Mountain Crow Relay was literally bucked off his horse at least 4 times during the 2nd exchange but he refused to give up and eventually got on board and got his horse to rejoin the race but by then they were far back.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Heat 3
1st Tissidimit
2nd River Road
3rd Amskapi Pikunii
4th S/M Express
5th Little Badger
6th Grizzly Mountain
In the 3rd heat of opening night again it was the exchanges with the 1st shake up at the 2nd exchange where Amskapi Pikunii lost their lead to Tissidimit. Tissidimit’s Azeri Cody with a slick exchange got the jump on Vincent Bertelson and the Amskapi Pikunii team.
Meantime, Darren Charges Strong Jr and the River Road team made two perfect exchanges in the last two and had been closing the gap on Tissidimit passing Amskupi Pikunii and by they time they dropped in for the 3rd and final exchange Charges Strong was quick off and on and tore out as the new leader by about 5 lengths over Tissidimit as this became the closest race of the weekend.
Coby got after his final horse for Tissidimit and pulled even with Charges Strong and River Road at the top of the stretch. Tissidimit then surged by to go up by a 1/2 length and it looked like Coby would pull away but River Road was not finished and some beautiful strong hand work pushing his horse was Charges Strong and came right back to the throat of Tissidimit and they went to the wire with about a 1/2 a head difference and Tissidimit survived the comeback by River Road to take the final heat on day 1.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Preliminaries on Saturday
Heat 1
1st Old Sun
2nd Teton
3rd Omak Express
4th Tissidimit
5th Cedar Ridge
6th Strong Horse Relay
Old Sun went straight to the lead in this one with Ian Big Tobacco riding and they simply never looked back. All 3 exchanges were as smooth as you could want, Big Tobacco also avoided the congestion of the other horses at the change-overs and drew off to a big win getting themselves a place in the Sunday Championship race.
Teton with Miaus Teton riding was a solid 2nd also avoiding the traffic and issues at the exchanges especially the 1st one where Strong Horse Relay lost their horse and was placed last. That commotion did not impede either of the top 2 finishers
The interesting race was for 3rd where Tissidimit coming off a narrow win on Friday night was trying to hold 3rd and maybe close on Teton but instead in that 3rd and final exchange Omak Express’s Tyler Peasley was quick off and lightning fast back on and got the jump on Tissidimit to pull away for 3rd while Tissidimit settled for 4th and further back was Cedar Ridge to complete the final order.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Heat 2
1st Amskapi Pikunii
2nd River Road
3rd Starr School
4th Little Badger
5th Mountain Crow
6th S/M Express
Little Badger and Justin Bird went to the lead and held that lead all the way to the 2nd exchange when they came in slow and wide and opened the door for River Road and Darren Charges Strong to take the lead. Amskapi Pukunii with Vincent Bertelsen also had a fast exchange to grab 2nd in fact Little Badger would drop to 4th place after the 2nd exchange as Starr School took 3rd with EJ Enos.
The final exchange is where all the work and practice paid off for Amskapi Pikunii when Bertelsen made one of the fastest exchanges in the entire competition and flew out of the change lane in 1st. Charges Strong had a very good exchange as well but Bertelsen simply nailed this with his team and the lead they quickly built was too much overcome for River Road as they came in 1-2.
Starr School grabbed 3rd place after the 2nd exchange and held the line while Little Badger could never make up for the time they lost in that 2nd exchange and Mountain Crow would take 5th. During the 1st exchange S/M Express lost their horse and was placed 6th.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Heat 3
1st Two Medicine
2nd BirdinGround Relay
3rd Abrahamson
4th Carlson
5th Counting Coup
6th Grizzly Mountain
Abrahamson and Country Coup broke to the lead at the sound of the horn with Two Medicine right behind and BirdinGround was last. Scotty Abrahamson came into the 1st exchange in good shape and had a clean exchange but Cody Carlson for Two Medicine was laser focused and may have taken over the quickest exchange of the weekend to grab the lead. Birdin Ground made up a lot of ground on that 1st exchange and Grizzly Mountain lost their horse so they were out and placed 6th.
At the 2nd exchange Two Medicine had another great exchange and had the lead leaving the change area but Abrahamson was just as fast and Scotty Abrahamson made up the ground to take the lead into the 1st turn. BirdinGround with Tristan Birdinground riding also made up ground and those 3 separated themselves from the rest heading into the final exchange.
At pit stop #3, Cody Carlson and Two Medicine did not skip a beat and were in command, BirdinGround made up more of the gap to pass Abrahamson who struggled a little bit in that 3rd exchange that cost them 2nd place. BirdinGround made up some of the difference but Two Medicine had plenty of lead to work with and prevailed by about 5 lengths over BirdinGround while Abrahamson was a clear 3rd while Carlson ran an even 4th and Counting Coup took 5th.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Consolation Races and Championship Race on Sunday
Consolation Race #1
1st Strong Horse Relay
2nd S/M Express
3rd Counting Coup
4th Grizzly Mountain
5th Mountain Crow Relay
6th Little Badger
Counting Coup took the early lead in the 1st Consolation race of the day with Narsis Reevis riding, Grizzley Mountain with Terrence Holford was also in the mix early but at the 1st exchange everything got turned upside down as a rough exchange for Grizzly Mountain pushed them back to 2nd last opened the gate for Little Badger to take the lead but quickly making up ground was Mathew Pakootas on Strong Horse Relay.
As they went into the 2nd exchange Strong Horse Relay took the lead for good as they led all the way to the 2nd exchange and coming in to make the switch S/M Express made up a lot of ground and Little Badger was still right there as well but only Strong Horse Relay had a flawless exchange and Pakootas took full advantage roaring out to a huge lead.
Surviving the chaos of the 3rd exchange the best was S/M Express who were all by themselves in 2nd to cruise to the runner-up placing while 3rd went to Counting Coup, Grizzly Mountain would finish 4th while Mountain Crow Relay and Little Badger would complete the final standings.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Consolation Race #2
1st Cedar Ridge
2nd Carlson
3rd River Road
4th Omak Express
5th Starr School
6th Teton
Omak Express with Tyler Peasley went to the lead with Teton and Miaus Teton running 2nd, River Road was 3rd early, Carlson 4th followed by Cedar Ridge with Jorge Galloway and Starr School last. Heading into the 1st exchange Teton had a great change and took off well in front of Carlson with Chazz Racine who made a strong move to 2nd place. Omak struggled a bit and dropped to 3rd followed by River Road, Cedar Ridge and Starr School.
Coming into the 2nd exchange which was in front of a huge crowd making lots of noise Teton got the worst of it dropping from 1st to last in a matter of a few seconds and in fact lost the horse and was placed 6th. Omak Express re-took the lead followed by Carlson, Cedar Ridge made up a lot of ground and was now 3rd and River Road was beginning to stir and become relevant in this race.
Heading into the critical 3rd exchange it would be Cedar Ridge and Galloway emerging with the lead which was the 4th lead change in this race. Carlson held 2nd while River Road was able to get by Omak Express and Starr School was 5th and that is how they would parade finish in that exact order with the win going to Cedar Ridge with a brilliant ride by Jorge Galloway and great handling at the exchange points from his team members.
Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
Championship Race
Champions Two Medicine!!
2nd BirdinGround Relay
3rd Abrahamson
4th Amskapi Pikunii
5th Tissidimit
6th Old Sun
The Championship race was a showcase on why and how the exchanges are so important and how you can go 1st to last or last to 1st in the blink of an eye. As the 6 broke at the sound of the horn Amskapi Pikunii and Vincent Bertelson broke for the lead with Azeri Coby and Tissidimit. Old Sun and Ian Big Tobacco positioned along the rail into 3rd place while Two Medicine sat 4th, Abrahamson 5th and BirdinGround last going into the 1st turn.
Going into the 1st exchange here is where the chaos begins, first Old Sun could not complete the exchange and lost their horse so they were out and placed 6th. Two Medicine and Cody Carlson had a flawless exchange, made up ground and quickly assumed the lead. BirdinGround with Tristan BirdinGround had made up a ton of distance going into that 1st exchange and came out in 2nd and back in the race for the Championship. Meantime, Amskapi Pikunii had a rough exchange that dropped them to 4th placed a hole they were never able to dig out of. Tissidimit also had a tough exchange and dropped them well back battling with Amskapi Pikunii for 4th and 5th.
As Two Medicine approached the 2nd exchange Carlson jumped off and lost his footing and then struggled to get up on his 3rd horse. This allowed BirdinGround executed the perfect exchange and Tristan was off and gone building a commanding 20-length lead. Abrahamson also made up ground on Two Medicine and those two looked like they would battle for 2nd place.
BirdinGround was cruising with a huge lead but it only takes a few seconds for a huge lead to turn into a deficit. Two Medicine and Cody Carlson knew he had to be perfect to make up that ground to have a chance at being Champions and as he approached his mugger grabbed the horse in stride as Carlson slid off the horse planted both feet and jumped up on the final leg horse set up perfectly by his handler and he was gone and took a significant lead.
Two Medicine got the lead because BirdinGround made the transfer in ok time but then he couldn’t get his horse to go as he was excited and wasn’t sure what to do finally Tristan was able to get his horse going the right way but by that time Two Medicine had built a big lead.
Abrahamson also did not have the exchange they wanted but remained well into 3rd place and that is where they would finish.
This left a huge gap for BirdinGround to make up and would need Two Medicine to make a major mistake and although BirdinGround ran hard and did cut into the lead, Cody Carlson kept his eye on where they were and maintained a large enough lead that he could shoot a pretend bow and arrow into the crowd just before crossing the finish line to claim their 1st ever Muckleshoot Gold Cup Championship.
Two Medicine collected $13,500 for their weekend work and is the 7th different team to have won the Gold Cup. Two Medicine joins the other 6 past Champions of Omak Express, Amskapi Pikunii, River Road, Abrahamson Relay, Starr School and Carlson Relay. Two Medicine is the 4th winner from Blackfeet Nation and is sponsored by Tempo Medical, Thoro’bred Horse Shoes, Farmers Insurance and Hawthorne Products.
Championship Race Replay and Winners Circle interview by Gayle Skunkcap
All Teams and Rosters
Abrahamson
Nation: Colville, Omak, WA Captain/Owner: Jonathan Abrahamson Rider: Scotty Abrahamson Team Members: Tarren Meusy, Phillip Williams, Joe Holford, Jonathan Abrahamson, Riley Presscott
Amskapi Pikunii
Nation: Blackfeet, Browning, MT Captain/Owner: Terernce BirdRattler Rider: Vincent Bertelsen Team Members: Adam Whiteman, Jeff BirdRattler, Dave Bertelson, Gordy Meserly
BirdinGround Relay
Nation: Crow, Crow, MT Captain/Owner: Tristin BirdinGround Rider: Tristin BirdinGround Team Members: Tim BirdinGround, Wade Burland, Clay BirdinGround, Tronnes BirdinGround, Weston BirdinGround
Carlson
Nation: Blackfett, Browning, MT Captain/Owner: Ervin Carlson/Chazz Racine Rider: Chazz Racine Team Members: Adrian Costel, Ervin Carlson, Cade Racine, Josh Monroe, Ethan RunningCrane
Cedar Ridge
Nation: Shoshone Bannock, Fort Hall, ID Captain/Owner: Chris Anderson Rider: Jorge Galloway Team Members: Cody Anderson, Brent Anderson, Chris Anderson, Keavin Anderson, Shane Farmer
Counting Coup
Nation: Kalipel, Usk WA Captain/Owner: Mary Bluff Rider: Narsais Reevis Team Members: Jimo Marchand, Jordan Wagner, Jeff St. Goddard, Riley Reevis, Joey Cummins
Grizzly Mountain
Nation: Colville, Omak WA Captain/Owner: Kerry Carden Rider: Terrence Holford Team Members: Korey Carden, Kerry Carden, Oliver Pakootas, Mike Winn, Ike Kawsten Jr
Little Badger
Nation: Blackfeet, Browning, MT Captain/Owner: Jostin Lawrence Rider: Justin Bird Team Members: Josten Lawrence, Austin Gobert, CJ Smith, Sheldon Meineke, Shance Bird Rattler
Mountain Crow Relay
Nation: Crow, Crow Agency, MT Captain/Owner: Micah Falls Down Rider: Joey Guitierrez Team Members: Jadence Achilta, Micah Falls Down, Kynami Old Crow, Sheridan Wagner, Luke Rock
Old Sun
Nation: Siksika, Alberta, Canada Captain/Owner: Allison Red Crow Rider: Ian Big Tobacco Team Members: Racey Big Snake, Duane Kemmer, Matt Buckskin, Allison Red Crow, Logan Red Crow
Omak Express
Nation: Colville, Omak, WA Captain/Owner: Tyler Peasley Rider: Tyler Peasly Team Members: Josiah Desautel, Virgil Tonasket, Austin Covington, JW Pakootas, CJ Saxon
River Road
Nation: Crow, Crow Agency, MT Captain/Owner: Coty Brown Rider: Darren Charges Strong Jr Team Members: Laramie LittleLight, Coty Brown, CJ Goes Ahead Pretty, Greg Pretty Weasel, Darren Charges Strong Sr
S/M Express
Nation: Crow, Lodge Grass, MT Captain/Owner: Dustin Kruger Rider: PG Nomee Team Members: Jayden Tillman, Dustin Kruger, Prinz Three Irons, Chico Half, Les Nomee
Starr School
Nation: Blackfeet, Starr School, MT Captain/Owner: Martin Little Plume Rider: EJ Enos Team Members: William WhiteGrass, Doug Upham, Martin Little Plume, Tyrell Buckskin, Tahj Little Plume
Strong Horse Relay
Nation: Colville, Nespelem, WA Captain/Owner: Mathew Pakootas Sr Rider: Mathew Pakootas Jr Team Members: Chris Smith, Mathew Pakootas Sr, Abraham Grunlose, Tiny Williams, Blake Marchand
Teton
Nation: Shoshone Bannock, Lincoln Creek, ID Captain/Owner: Clarence Teton Rider: Miaus Teton Team Members: Travis Teton, Tyce Teton, Lexy Teton, Dennis Teton, Clarence Teton
Tissidimit
Nation: Shoshome Bannock, Fort Hall, ID Captain/Owner: Lance Tissidimit Rider: Azeri Coby Team Members: Rylan Tissidimit, Lance Tissidimit, Jaren Tissidimit, Brayley Tissidimit, Jason Teton
Two Medicine
Nation: Blackfeet, Browning, MT Captain/Owner: Tony Carlson Rider: Cody Carlson Team Members: Jesse Carlson, Tony Carlson, Chucky Braverock, Shane LittleBear, Tyree Whitcomb
www.elisportsnetwork.com
