Racing returns to the Healing Horse Ranch
By Jerry W. Kram
With the restrictions in place to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the spring opener for area Indian Relay racing that has taken place at the Healing Horse Ranch for the last three years was in doubt. But with the loosening of some restrictions on events announced by the state of North Dakota, volunteers were able to put together a day of racing on short notice.
“We have always tried to have this in May,” said volunteer and announcer for the day, Nelson Heart. “Since everything has been disrupted by COVID, we decided to get something going. People wanted to get out of the house.”
To help prevent the disease from spreading in the area, competitors were limited to residents of the Fort Berthold Reservation. If progress continues in limiting the spread of the virus, more races will be held at the track at the ranch this summer with contestants from outside the area.
“We have had calls already from Spirit Lake and Fort Yates, but we had to turn them away,” Heart said. “I hated to do that, but we had to limit this to just the locals for now.”
Richard Whitetail sponsored the day of races.
