History-Suicide Race-Omak WN

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Suicide Race, Omak WN-The horses thunder across the plain from the starting line, then they DIVE over a bluff that is nearly straight up and down. Some roll and toss their riders, some stomp or roll over thrown riders or horses ahead. They hit the Omak River Water full bore and the horses swim across, up the far bank and up a trail to the Stampede Grounds. Horses whose riders are thrown or floundering in the River are so competitive that they race all others to get there first. The Horses bring a big price. Picked not only for speed, but for swimming ability and that intangible compulsion champions have to win no matter what. This Race has been going on yearly for many years, Grand Coulee Dam was Built in 1937 and it flooded the original race site causing the Indians to move the Competition to Omak on the Okanogan River that feeds the Columbia.

The carving depicts the SPIRIT OF JOSEPH, Chief of the Nez Perce leading the charge. Joseph is buried

SUICIDE RACE PERSPECTIVE-INYO ACTUAL RACE CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW!	on the Nespelum Rez of the Confederated Colville Tribes. The Riders, to win, must place first four times. I have carved in a Rider, Moses, first row on left with white head band who did just that...Survived four times in a row~! Two concessions are made to our modern age. #1. The Riders wear Life jackets now #2. The sheriff Deputies and Ambulance crews are in the River with power inflatable boats to recover thrown and drowning riders "From these photos It is hard to be able to pick-out small details like the look of terror as a horse rolls on a rider!"~Inyo This is five inches thick Basswood 38 inches tall by 19 inches wide. Colored by Water Color paints soaked in as stain.

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