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. Subscribe to The Atlantic on YouTube: