Governing Body
HNIRC
Horse Nations Indian Relay Council
Authority & Governance
Horse Nation Indian Relay Council (HNIRC) is the governing organization for Indian Relay Racing (IRR) events across Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington State, Oregon, Arizona, Wyoming and Canada. They organize, promote, and govern IRR championship qualifications and rankings.
Indian Relay Racing & Sanctioning
A Sport That Has Already Done the Work
Indian Relay Racing is not a concept waiting to be developed. It is an active, organized, competitive sport with established teams, horses, rules, race formats, championships, and a governing body. The Horse Nations Indian Relay Council (HNIRC) provides the organizational infrastructure that racing commissions require. The question before regulators is not whether IRR can become a sport — it already is one. The question is whether an existing form of horse racing can be conducted under a state's pari-mutuel regulatory framework.
Established Competition
Indian Relay Racing has active teams, horses, riders, and a full competitive season with championships. The sport's structure mirrors what other racing disciplines presented to regulators before earning pari-mutuel status.
Governing Body in Place
HNIRC serves as the recognized governing organization for Indian Relay Racing — setting rules, maintaining records, overseeing competition integrity, and providing the institutional framework regulators expect.
Proven Regulatory Precedent
The American Quarter Horse Association was organized in 1940 and achieved pari-mutuel racing status within approximately seven years. IRR is arguably further along organizationally than AQHA was at a comparable stage.
Broad Statutory Authority
Kentucky and other states have expanded their racing commission authority over time to encompass additional forms of horse racing. Current Kentucky regulations use broad language that does not limit pari-mutuel wagering to any single breed or discipline.
Tribal Nations Partnership
Indian Relay Racing is deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Native American nations. HNIRC's structure reflects that partnership, bringing tribal sovereignty, community support, and a unique audience to the pari-mutuel marketplace.
Two to Three Years
Based on the regulatory pathway available—where existing statutory authority appears sufficiently broad and no legislative amendment is required—HNIRC could potentially secure authorization from an initial state racing commission within 2–3 years, rather than the 7–10 years historically required for disciplines such as Quarter Horse and Standardbred racing to achieve recognition and sanctioning for pari-mutuel wagering.
Historical Context
“The American pari-mutuel system has historically accommodated additional forms of horse racing rather than remaining limited to Thoroughbreds.”
— HNIRC Regulatory Analysis
Where HNIRC Stands Today
The Case Is Built. The Pathway Is Clear.
Active governing body with established rules and race formats
Competitive season with teams, horses, and championship events
Regulatory precedent from Quarter Horse, Arabian, and Appaloosa racing
Broad state statutory authority that does not require legislative amendment
Kentucky Racing Commission framework that has expanded before
Investor and tribal nation support ready to move at regulatory speed
HNIRC Leadership
Officers
Calvin Ghost Bear
President, HNIRC
Calvin Ghost Bear has been involved with horse and relay racing for over twenty years, competing across North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Texas.
His goal is to build a long-lasting, sustainable event for all Native Nations and Relay members, keeping teams and Nations informed on all matters pertaining to the organization.
Carol Tatsey-Murray
Vice-President, HNIRC
Carol Tatsey-Murray is a tribal member from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana. She serves as Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs for Blackfeet Community College. Her family has deep roots in on-reservation horse racing, including Indian Relay and Straight Track Racing.
In 2010, Carol coordinated the Pikuni Indian Relay Series on the Blackfeet Reservation and assisted with the North American Indian Days Relay for five years. She continues to support her grandsons on the Young Money Indian Relay Team, competing across the U.S. and Canada.
Jamie Howard
Secretary, HNIRC
Jamie Howard is a racehorse breeder and owner from Wayne, Oklahoma, operating Running Colors Equine, Inc. with his wife Wendy. He raises and races Paint horses, competing in South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma.
Jamie's interest in Indian Relay began when one of his racehorses was placed on a relay team. Since then he has assisted at races and bred horses specifically for the sport.
Carla Ghost Bear
Treasurer, HNIRC
Carla Ghost Bear is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Porcupine, South Dakota. She grew up in a family that ranched, rodeoed and raced horses, and competed in barrel racing and 4-H through her teenage years.
Carla graduated from Oglala Lakota College and has operated family-owned businesses on Pine Ridge for many years. Her lifelong background in ranching and rodeo informs her commitment to Indian Relay and horse racing in Indian Country.
Diana Volk
Official Photographer, HNIRC
Diana Volk holds a degree in Agriculture Journalism and has spent her career documenting the western lifestyle. Her grandfather, Archie Nash, was a premier photographer for Western Horseman, Outdoor Life and National Geographic — an influence that shaped her passion for the craft from an early age.
Over the past ten years Diana has covered Indian Relay Racing events across the country, capturing the endurance, family tradition and cultural pride at the heart of the sport. She is proud to serve as HNIRC's Official Photographer and to help promote Indian Relay Racing.