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Ask Dave and Luke: After another horse dies, should Omak suicide race continue?

August 7, 2012 @ 12:52 pm (Updated: 12:54 pm - 8/7/12 )

After another horse died in the Suicide Race at the Omak Stampede, many are asking whether this annual race should continue.

"It was a big controversy every year as long as I've been here, whether this is a proper thing to do or not. Because they have the horses race over this very steep hill into the Okanogan River and it's very steep. It's very dangerous for the jockeys as well as the horses," says Dave Ross.

Watch video of Suicide Race at Omak Stampede:

The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle says the horse Little Big Man stumbled at the bottom of the race hill Friday as it entered the Okanogan River. The horse, owned by Jerry Ford of Wellpinit, was attempting to complete the final qualifying test for the races later this week.

Members of the community say the race is tradition.

"It's part of who we are, we're horse people, we're horse warriors," says Jason Palmer, a race judge.

"Do we as non-Native Americans have any standing to tell Native Americans, who can trace their lineage back farther than any of us can, that they can't maintain what they claim to be an important tradition in their culture?" asks Dave.

Luke says he has no problem telling them this is a ridiculous thing to do.

"You're running down something that is almost vertical. It is remarkable to me that every horse and every rider in this don't die every time they do this."

Ross and Burbank listeners seem mostly against the race, but there are a few hold outs.

Lynn in Seattle writes:
Re the suicide race, I heard a spokes person for the race say "this is our tradition; it is the rider becoming one with the horse." Ok - here's a compromise - ok, so if the rider is truly one with the horse, how about if a horse gets injured and needs to be put down, the rider be put down as well. That would be sorta fair. And yes, we have a right to change any tradition that is cruel. Slavery was a tradition in our country.

JWilson in Port Orchard writes:

Dave & Luke,

Horses are NOT part of Native American culture, horses were brought here by Europeans.

John in Issaquah writes:

Any chance of having slaughter talk earlier in day or further away from lunch time?...

Ron in Bonney Lake writes:

When it comes to the Omak race. Liberal Seattle BUTT OUT!

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By MyNorthwest.com staff
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Comments (5)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Let's see - SUICIDE -
    August 7, 2012 12:16 pm
    What part don't we understand?

    But all that aside. WE tend to think of horses as 'pets'. But they are not just 'big dogs'. To other peoples and other cultures they are simply a work implement. And if then used for sport - no matter how dangerous - it's not our call.

    And, really, how is this any more cruel than raising a much more fragile horse to race at high speeds around a track that does not ofter have the best footing? Yet if a horse brakes a leg in the Kentucky Derby, we call that tragic - but not cruel,

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  • logical open mind wrote...
    I dont think horses die very often in this race. Years ago I checked it out and very few horses died during or after the race
    August 7, 2012 3:39 pm
    The sad thing is that due to the economy and high gas prices, recreational horses have been put down or sold to Canada for dog food. My horses once they reach an age that they can barely stand might go to Canafa IF I can verify they are put down quietly and painless. Think about it, Obama's bad handling of the economy has killed far more horses than the Suicide Race. Leave the Colvile Indians alone-they take good care of their horses.
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  • kbcradio wrote...
    Omak Stampede
    August 7, 2012 6:38 pm
    Ya know, when are the people of western Washington going the leave the people of of the eastern part alone? Let them make the call and butt out.
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  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Holy Crap!...........
    August 7, 2012 12:37 pm
    You can thank me later........

    Fast forward to the 3:23 mark.

    That's when the dammed race starts!

    Unless of course, you like to listen to 3 1/2 minutes of crickets chirping?

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  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    Modern horses have only been in North America since the early 1500's
    August 8, 2012 1:28 am
    Many of the "white man's" traditions daing back equally as long have been declared out-dated, barbaric, passé, what have you, and deprecated. Take cock fighting or dog fighting as an example.

    In that vein, since native tribes have also elected to evolve culturally in many other aspects, I would say that they don't have a valid argument in this case.

    One can't say, "i am going to hire a high power lobbying firm to influence laws against online gambling concerns that threaten my brick and mortar casinos." in one breath and, "we have a right to our ancient tradition that sometimes kills horses." in another lest they speak with forked tongue...

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