Local News

Stampede Kicks Off This Week

By NCBI
Aug 06, 2012

It's the week that Omak prepares for all year...the 79th Annual Omak Stampede and World Famous Suicide Race officially gets underway! There have been weeks and months of preparation and practices to get to this week of events that, surround the four performances of the PRCA rodeo which are capped off with the running of the Suicide Race.

Racers have been preparing all year and official practices have been running for several weeks, most without a hitch until Friday night when a stumble and accident ended with the loss of Little Big Man, a horse owned by the Jerry Ford Family of the Spokane Indian Reservation.

In a statement released Saturday, the Owner's and Jockey's Association extended their prayers to the family. The Association's statement said that the accident happened while the horse was attempting to complete his third and final qualification run.

According to the Association statement, "Jocky Jason Meusy was able to safely get to shore while the boat crew attempted to recover Little Big Man. Complicated with a fractured leg the horse had difficulty keeping his feet in the river current making it difficult for the boat crew to retrieve the horse. Ultimately, the horse went under water and surfaced downstream near the Omak Bridge."

The statement went on to say, "For 77 years the Suicide Race has thrilled fans who have come to watch these jockeys and horses compete. And although we have had tragic accidents in the past, the Owners and Jockeys Association has implemented measures to make this race as safe as possible for both horse and rider. This race has never been about stardom, money, or glory. Long before it was the World Famous Suicide Race this race was traditionally done as a rite of passage, a demonstration of our young warriors and their horses ability to become one. We have prided ourselves in our ability to demonstrate our traditions as horse warriors. Owners Jockey and Horses train hard year round for this race and when we lose a horse its impacts the entire racing community. We are saddened by the loss of Little Big Man and extend our prayers to the Jerry Ford Racing Family."

The Owners and Jockeys Association has determined that the course is safe and that the river is safe to cross.

The Omak Stampede events start Wednesday when the Davis Shows Carnival opens at 5pm and Thursday morning at 8 am, the Ride-In will begin from the Okanogan County Fair Grounds. This year there will be one big change as they have combined the Kiddie's Parade and Grand Parade into one day, that will begin at 10am on Saturday.




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