​A new tradition will be launched at this year’s World Championship Indian Relay Races as the documentary production team behind Outriding the Devil teams up with the Sheridan WYO Rodeo to present the event’s first Most Valuable Player (MVP) buckle to the standout rider. The award honors the athleticism, bravery, and cultural importance of Indian Relay racing, a fast-paced, team-driven horse sport rooted in Native communities and widely considered among the most exciting events in Western sports. Handcrafted by Montana Silversmiths, the buckle depicts a rider overcoming life’s obstacles and serves as a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of Native peoples.
American Indian participation has been a core element of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo since its inception. The event initially welcomed riders from nearby Northern Cheyenne and Crow communities before expanding to include tribal nations from across the region. Today, Sheridan hosts the World Championship Indian Relay Races, attracting top riders, teams, and spectators from Indian Country and the broader West. “Indian Relay is America’s original extreme sport,” said Zane Garstad, executive director of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and the World Championship Indian Relay. The annual championship has evolved into a premier gathering for relay racing, highlighting elite horsemanship, endurance, and teamwork while celebrating Native culture and tradition.
Erin E. Mitchell, the senior producer of Outriding the Devil, designed the inaugural MVP buckle, and she will present it after the championship races on Saturday, July 11. “It is a profound honor to partner with the WYO Rodeo for this historic event,” Mitchell stated. “The Outriding the Devil buckle embodies the Western spirit, grit, and resilience that reside in all of us. Every American Indian alive today has outridden the devil and continues to outride the devil every day. They, along with their horse partners, are the heart and soul of the West.” Mitchell noted that the buckle captures the perseverance and determination that define both Indian Relay competitors and Native communities. “American Indians personify that ‘grit to rise’ and ‘never give up’ ethos that defines the Western way of life,” she said. “We hope this film inspires those qualities in everyone—that together we can outride any devil. Presenting this buckle to the Indian Relay winner at the WYO Rodeo is among the greatest honors of my life.”
Mitchell has long been an advocate for Indian Country and has contributed to efforts that helped secure federal and state legislation addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis. The rodeo’s history also reflects its enduring ties to Native communities. One of its early names, the Bots Sots St, underscores its long-standing and evolving relationship with Indigenous nations. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as it introduces a new MVP honor to celebrate the extraordinary riders who embody the heritage and resilience of Indian Relay racing.