Growing up on the Navajo Reservation, we heard stories from our parents and grandparents about aunts, uncles, or neighbors who participated in horse race events.
Back then, the Dine people were skilled horsemen and took great pride in their horses. Children learned horsemanship at a very young age. Daily, kids grew up working with horses for farming, hauling water, shopping, herding sheep, visiting neighbors who lived a few miles away, and running errands.
Over time, with the arrival of automobiles and farming equipment on the reservation, the Navajo way of life changed significantly. Children no longer needed to learn how to handle or ride horses. With this in mind, the volunteers of the Navajo Veterans Organization reintroduced the horse race into the Chinle community. They held the first one last year.
Volunteers spent three weeks developing a horse track using a small tractor, shovel, and rakes. Their hard work paid off, and everyone enjoyed the event.
The 2nd Annual Navajo Veterans Horse Race!
The Navajo Veterans Organization will sponsor the Second Annual Tseyi Horse Race on August 16, 2025, at Old Airport Road in Chinle, AZ. Post at 12:00 PM. It’s free to attend.
