OMAK, Wash. – The Omak Stampede and Suicide Race attracted large crowds this past weekend. The event featured art shows, a carnival and numerous food and souvenir stands.
Scott Abrahamson, a jockey participating in the race, shared his thoughts on the event.
“When you get up there– it’s hard to beat those nerves. But I think if you’re not nervous or anything– then something’s wrong,” he said.
Thousands of people gathered in Omak for the annual festivities. Abrahamson has been involved in the race for over a decade.
“This’ll be my– 11th year?– I’ve been doing it since I was 16,” he added.
Abrahamson grew up watching and participating in the Suicide Race, following in his father’s footsteps.
“It’s kinda just in my blood to do it. But you get a little taste of victory, and you get that adrenaline rush going– hard to beat that,” he stated.
The race involves more than a dozen jockeys each night, who compete by racing down a 200-foot hill and across the Okanogan River. Alongside the race, the event includes a rodeo, a Native encampment and art shows organized through the Colville Tribes, as well as a carnival and various vendors.
Despite concerns from animal rights groups about horse safety, organizers emphasize the importance of the Suicide Race to the community’s history. They assure that thorough measures are in place to ensure the horses are qualified and safe.
“We handpick these horses out of a herd that like to run off hills and be as crazy as we are. And they train all year for this,” Abrahamson said.
The dangers faced by jockeys were highlighted by an incident on Thursday when one participant broke his ribs after a crash.
“You try to keep yourself calm– but you can feel your horse’s heartbeat, your heartbeat. And then when the gun goes off you try to stay in the front as long as you can– and just drop off the hill like if you were to jump off a rock– that’s kinda what it’s like,” Abrahamson explained.
