Race under scrutiny for three horse deaths

YAKIMA — Three horses died in the first of four races at this year's annual Omak Stampede rodeo, which culminates each night with a horse race down a steep slope.

The so-called Suicide Race, begun in 1935, has been criticized for years by animal-welfare groups. Twenty riders plunge down a 62-degree hill, cross the Okanogan River and race into the grandstand arena.

A number of horses have been killed or injured in the race and practice sessions over the years.

During Thursday's race, one horse in the middle of the pack stumbled into another horse at the bottom of the hill, injuring both. The two horses were euthanized, Stampede officials said in a news release.

A third horse collapsed in the arena at the end of the race. Stampede officials said a veterinarian determined the horse died of natural causes. Officials did not elaborate on the cause of death.

No riders were injured.

"The race is part of a whole cultural event, which is great. We'd love for that to continue in the community, but the Suicide Race is an organized form of animal abuse," said Sheridan Thomas, an animal advocate for the nonprofit Progressive Animal Welfare Society, based in Lynnwood.

"Each of these horses was loved and cared for by their families and will be sorely missed," the Stampede news release said. "It was the first race of the year, and it was a tragedy to have an unfortunate accident like this after such a smooth start."

The four-day Omak Stampede features a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo, powwow and Western art show and is the summer's primary draw for the Okanogan County community of Omak, population 4,700. Thousands have turned out each August for the event since it was founded in 1933.

"There aren't many races where at least one horse is going to die in every four races. In terms of horse racing, that same percentage would mean an end to the event," PAWS' Thomas said.

Mayor Dale Sparber disagreed.

"I think it's a tragedy, but it's part of the race," he said. "They live with the knowledge that this can happen, and we've seen riders hurt and we've seen horses hurt and killed. But it's no different than a horse race. In my opinion, it's no worse than that."

Fifteen horses finished with riders aboard in Thursday's race. The winner was Trigger, ridden by Montana Pakootas.

The total purse this year is a record $28,000.

The Omak Stampede continues through tomorrow.