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White Lightning Rider Carter Houle celebrates White Lightning Express' victory at the Northwest Territorial Day's Indian Relay championship. (Image Credit: Ryan Lambert/battlefordsNOW staff)
Thunderous victory

White Lightning Express wins Territorial Days Indian Relay championship

Aug 15, 2026 | 2:20 PM

It was a historical first for the North Battleford’s Northwest Territorial Days fair on Friday.

The beloved summer event hosted an Indian Relay championship for the first time, with Mistawasis First Nation’s White Lightning Express topping a field of 19 teams. They finished ahead of host Northern Sky Relay, KL Stables and Treaty 6 Two Nations to claim the $8,000 grand prize. 

White Lightning rider Carter Houle entered the event with some uncertainty because his starter horse was new to Indian Relay. 

“My starter, his first time ever in the game, so he was trying to kind of little buck or whatever. I kind of had to get him out of that the first day and even today. He’s gonna have to work past that, and he did good, came into the box nice.” 

When asked about a key moment in the championship heat, Houle pointed to the exchanges. 

“I’d say my first exchange, yeah, but my last exchange, he didn’t really want to stand. I think it was everybody’s horse didn’t really stand that exchange, so we’re kind of all taking off and leaving at the same time.” 

The championship heat remained close until the final stretch, with White Lightning Express narrowly ahead of Treaty 6 Two Nations. Houle said he stayed focused through the finish. 

“Just go until the race is done and try to keep the bad thoughts away. Try to think positive.” 

“When I had the lead and I thought that guy was close enough to catch me, but as soon as I got to the home stretch, I knew I had it.” 


White Lightning Express’ winning moment in the championship heat (Ryan Lambert/battlefordsNOW)

White Lightning heads to Onion Lake this weekend for its next event. 

Although Northern Sky did not get the championship result it wanted, owner Sean Fauchon was pleased with the event in its first year. 

“I think it went pretty good, considering it’s our first time holding it here. We had 19 of the best teams here, so I think it went pretty well.” 

Fauchon added he was also pleased with the turnout. 

“I had an idea that it was going to be big. I didn’t really look up in the crowds because when we were on the track, we were just focused, and I didn’t really notice how many people there were until this morning when I looked at some video. There were a lot of people, and that’s awesome to see. That’s why we wanted to have it here at the fair.” 

He continued there are still some kinks to work out, but he looks forward to hosting the event again next year with a year of experience behind the organizers. 

Northern Sky now heads to Medicine Hat. The team sits second in the standings as it continues its push to qualify for the 2027 Calgary Stampede. 

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ryan.lambert@pattisonmedia.com