Dash for cash
38.6-mile horse race tests riders, animals in race for prizes
By Marley Shebala
Navajo Times
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(Times photo - Leigh T. Jimmie)
Sean Goldtooth, left, and Dominique Whitehorse race head to head in the last miles of the Dash for Cash horse race on Saturday in Red Mesa, Ariz. Goldtooth, 21, of Coalmine Mesa, Ariz., and his team finished second and Whitehorse, 19, of Many Farms, Ariz., and his team finished first.
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The winner of the 6th annual Dash for Cash horse race is the older brother of last year's winner.
Dominique Whitehorse, 19, of Whitehorse Racing, from Many Farms, Ariz., finished the 38.6-mile race in one hour and 48 minutes. His younger brother, Conrad Whitehorse, 14, crossed the finish line with the same time last year.
Second place went to Goldspring Racing Two, of Tuba City, and third place went to their sister team Goldspring Racing.
Whitehorse Racing won $5,000, two saddles, a huge oil painting, and a trophy.
Chris Francis, president of Dash for Cash, a nonprofit organization, said more saddles were donated as prizes this year, which is why two saddles were awarded for first place and winners in second to eighth place also received a saddle.
Saddles were also awarded to the top female rider and for the Hard Luck award and last place.
Francis said that Navajo artist Jerry Salazar of White Mesa, N.M., who has donated a painting for the past three years, surprised him with three paintings this year.
"Jerry's generosity is a rarity," he noted. "He loves the horse race."
Salazar's paintings, which depicted the annual Dash for Cash competition, were awarded to the top three winners.
Francis noted that there would have been 40 teams in this year's race but one arrived at the starting line about 10 minutes after the race started at about 8:06 a.m.
Dominique Whitehorse said that he definitely felt the increase in riders and horses this year and they pushed him to stay out in front from beginning to end.
He explained that if he didn't stay out in front, he and his horse would have got stuck with the other horses.
The increase in horses and riders made the racetrack, which is basically a dirt road, more difficult for racers to pass one another, he added.
But once he was out in front, he "kicked back" on his horse because it felt "like a joy ride," he said.
Dominique said there was times he had to hold his horse back so it wouldn't "burn out."
Dominique and Sean Goldtooth, 21, of Goldspring Racing Two, raced out of the second and final horse exchange point and headed down the last 12 miles.
Dominique arrived at and left the final exchange station a couple of minutes ahead of Goldtooth, who quickly caught up with him.
The two riders and horses raced neck and neck but Dominique maintained his the lead.
Dominique slipped off his saddle a few feet from the finish line and completed the race on foot.
Dominique said that next year it's up to his brother Conrad to win the Dash for Cash race because he'll be in the Navy in October. He said he joined the Navy for the educational benefits.
This year, Conrad, who was also riding for Whitehorse Racing, was the fourth rider to cross the finish line.
Deidra Johnson, 12, who was riding for Goldspring Racing, came in ahead of Conrad.
Francis said that Johnson, who rode last year, was named "top female rider" because she showed stamina.
He said about a quarter mile after Johnson rode out of the final horse exchange station, her horse started bucking. She was bucked off, but she hung onto the lead rope.
He said that as people were rushing to check on her, she remounted and continued toward the finish line.
Francis said that as Johnson and her horse neared the finish line, the entire bridle fell off Johnson's horse but that didn't stop her and she finished with just the lead rope and halter.
A saddle, worth $15,000, was awarded to Derrick Joe, 17, the first rider for Coppermine Red Line, a horse racing team from Page, as the Hard Luck award.
Darrel and Crystal Celestine of the Yakama Nation specifically donated the fully tooled and fully stamped saddle for the Hard Luck award.
Francis said Joe earned the Hard Luck award for running on foot about six miles to finish the first part of the race after his horse was unable to take him to the first exchange station.
The first leg of the race is 13.5 miles, followed by a 13-mile leg then a 12-mile leg.
The starting line is in an open field near the red mesas that give the Red Mesa Chapter its name, goes under and along U.S. Highway 191, then back to Narrow Springs, a spot at the base of the Carrizo Mountains about half way between Red Mesa and Teec Nos Pos, Ariz.
Teams consisted of two riders and three horses. There are two exchange stations along the route.
Joe, who was among seven riders that ended up running a portion of the horse race on foot, ran the farthest.
Francis crossed the finish line on foot after running two miles.
"My horse, Rose, simply wilted," Francis said with a laugh. "She just stopped about two miles out. And I just didn't want to ask her to keep going."
He said the possibility of finishing the Dash for Cash horse race on foot faces all the riders, which is why he urges all the riders every year to be healthy, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Comment on this story!
16 comments so far (post your own)Navajo's are always killing each others with words. Nothing positive is said until you serve refreshments to not just one person, but to the entire family member. Chris Francis loves family activies, he loves to see family enjoy smile, enjoy life, enjoy the outdoors, and to be honest...Chris you are a role model to the Dine' people. Thank you.
Congrats to the winners and their horses. We enjoyed participating in the race and had a lot of fun. Thanks to the sponsors and all the prizes. The only concern I have is that is your reporter didn't do a good job on her report. It was a wonderful event but on paper didn't sound to great. Needs a better description on the riders and what all the prizes were for each winner. The first place winner didn't finish on foot, his brother did for sixth place. Anyway better job next time marley....
Thanks to the tom's and Chris Francis..........
u guys did a wonderful job, keep u the tradition of horse racing....a good way to keep our youth out of trouble....since this is a nonprofit organization; please give chris some ideas on how to make this a successful event yearly....such as prize donation, dinner donation for the teams..enterainment....judges.....course directors...traffic directors.....
GOOD JOB! EXCELLENT !!! BROVO!!!!
SEE U AT THE RACE!!!!
The race was a good one no doubt much thanks to Chris and the Tom Family for putting up an awesome race. But as far as the publicity of it all I think the story about the race could have been alot better than what it was. There were many other teams out there that have been in this game a long time and no recognition and it all going to the rookies who just started this sport. The photos in the paper weren't that good either. Pictures from the starting line only got half of the riders n that was a poor poor job was expecting to see alot more pictures of the race. So with that hopefully things change n overall that was a good race...can't wait for next year!
Races like this need to be safe. People don't need to drive along the road and cheer. This is just going to kill someone on the main roan. I was driving along Red Mesa and there they were just over the hill. Over 40 vehicles parked and kids running on the highway. There was a eighteen wheeler be hind me and it was fast I could hear the brakes come on and people running to see where their kids were. Man people can enjoy the sport but please make designated areas where spectators can sit and watch. After passing this mess We had a convoy of people driving under the speed limit on and off the road not watching the road but the riders. This is bad. Very bad!
I would like to thank Chris for doing this race. This keeps alot of our children being drugfree, knowing that they have responibilities to take care of when they have animals. They have to take care of them daily. As Dine' People we should not talk obout our horses in a negative way (if you understanding your tradition)you would know. We should be proud of our children that know how to care for their animals. but overall you did awsome job with the race, Chris.
Horses; no matter how well they are trained they get injured. For example, church hill downs @ Kentucky Derby. If they don't run, they turn into dog food. gilbert
Readers,
I enjoy watching the race every year. I live in Red Mesa and I always take the best seat in the house to see the riders and their horses run through. I applaude these horsemen with taking the time to spend time with their horses. Most horses I see are couped up in correls all day long and never get any attention from their owners except food and water. I care for racehorses that have retired from horseracing, and they still seem to want to run every chance they can get. Seeing these horses run like they do, you know they are strong and have stamina just like humans running a marathon. This is a favorite past time with the Dine' people to race horses and I'd like to thank Chris Francis for keeping these activities alive on the reservation.
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here we go again with the hating, if you have nuthin positive to say just don't say nuthin at all... its obvious to me these people know nothing about horses and are so quick to criticize people who were born and raised around these animals...
I DO NOT THINK TOO MANY DINE PEOPLE CARES ABOUT TRADITION OR CULTURE. NO MATTER HOW MUCH IS INVESTED, NO ONE REALLY CARES ANYMORE. OUR LANGUAGE IS FADING BUT WE WANT TO LEARN OTHER LANGUAGE. HOW SAD CAN THAT BE?
BOTTOM LINE, HORSE RACE SHOULD BE ILLEGAL AND FIND OTHER RECREATION THAT DO NOT ABUSE ANIMALS.
I AM SURE THE PRIZE MONEY IS GOOD TO SOME EXTEND...LOOK WHAT HAPPEN RECENTLY TO A WELL KNOWN HORSE THAT BROKE BOTH HER KNEES AND PUT TO REST. THAT IS NO SPORT.
good job bring's back the good old day's might as well squawdance is just around the coner
This is just one cultural activity they use to do all the time. Most Navajos that I know are responsible and caring equine people. Arresting Chris Francis or SUGGESTING TO DO SO...is just plain stupid. The horse owners know what they are doing. Geez, can't we ever have a alcohol-free, drug-free, council delegate-free, political-free event where nobody complains and whines around? Good job Marley and thanks for doing this for your people Chris
This is outlandish and stupid....supposedly the participants are horse lovers. Running horses into exhaustion in the semi-desert to me is not exactly a delineation of caring and love for the horses. Chris Francis should be arrested for sponsoring the event.
just curious what the horses get. hope the money is well spent on the horses.