Stampede Suicide Race

By: © Nelson Taylor 2008

Festival Location: Omak, WA, USA

Festival State: Washington Festivals

Festival Type(s): Bizarre Sports Events, Equestrian Events, Bizarre Festivals

The small town of Omak is just across the river from the Colville Indian Reservation. Since 1935, the people from both sides of the river have come together for a weekend of rodeo and extreme horse racing.

The Suicide Race used to be a tradition on many local reservations, but Omak is the only place in America where it is still run. The race earns its name because about twenty riders annually drop down the steep, 33-degree, Suicide Hill at high speed. Having survived the worst part, riders dash into the Okanogan River and then end the race in the local arena where the rodeo is held throughout the weekend. Riders, about 80% of who are Native American, train themselves and their horses year-round for this grueling competition where winning the $1,000 first place prize means little compared to the amount of respect they earn for themselves and their families.

The race has received quite a bit of criticism in recent years. It's not uncommon for a horse's leg to snap or for a rider to be thrown on his or her head. Although boycotted and subsequently canceled in 1999, this is an annual event that takes place every August and attracts about 8,000 people. Four races are held throughout the weekend, after the rodeo events. For a seat in the rodeo arena, you can expect to pay between $5 to $15 per day. But for the best view, buy a booster button for $3, which will give you access to the dike and a bird's eye view of the riders plunging off Suicide Hill.