Show Navigation

NavajoTraditionalHorseRace 09

09 SEPTEMBER 2007 -- ST. MICHAELS, AZ: DONAVAN FABER, from Navajo, AZ, puts a bridle on his horse before the horse was ridden in a traditional Navajo Horse Race in the summit area of the Navajo Indian reservation about 10 miles west of St. Michaels, AZ. Traditional horse racing is making a comeback on the Navajo reservation. The races are run on improvised courses that vary depending on the local terrain. Use of saddles is optional (except in the "Cowhand Race" which requires a western style saddle) and many jockeys ride bareback. The distances vary from one mile to as long as thirty miles. Traditional horse races were common until the 1950's when they fell out of favor, but there has been a resurgence in traditional racing since the late 1990's and now there is a traditional horse racing circuit on the reservation. The race was organized by the Begay family of Steamboat, AZ and run on private land about three miles from a paved road. Photo by Jack Kurtz

Filename
NavajoHorseRace008.jpg
Copyright
© Jack Kurtz
Image Size
3504x2336 / 2.3MB
Contained in galleries
Native Americans (all)
09 SEPTEMBER 2007 -- ST. MICHAELS, AZ: DONAVAN FABER, from Navajo, AZ, puts a bridle on his horse before the horse was ridden in a traditional Navajo Horse Race in the summit area of the Navajo Indian reservation about 10 miles west of St. Michaels, AZ. Traditional horse racing is making a comeback on the Navajo reservation. The races are run on improvised courses that vary depending on the local terrain. Use of saddles is optional (except in the "Cowhand Race" which requires a western style saddle) and many jockeys ride bareback. The distances vary from one mile to as long as thirty miles. Traditional horse races were common until the 1950's when they fell out of favor, but there has been a resurgence in traditional racing since the late 1990's and now there is a traditional horse racing circuit on the reservation. The race was organized by the Begay family of Steamboat, AZ and run on private land about three miles from a paved road. Photo by Jack Kurtz
Info