Photo Courtesy of Justina Pettigrew
Indian relay racing is more than just a sport for the Brewer family, it’s a way of life. This past weekend, siblings Bernice (6th grade) and Tatum (11th grade) once again proved their dedication and skill on the track.
Tatum Competes Against Men
As only a sophomore in high school, Tatum Brewer is already competing against grown men in the sport. He placed 4th in the men’s consolation race at Eagle Butte, showing grit and determination despite the challenge.
“It has been really challenging going up against people 4–5 years older than me, but it’s helped push me to get better,” Tatum shared. “I learned that I have to better my body and get stronger; that’s one of the main reasons I placed lower at Eagle Butte.”
Balancing school, football, and relay racing hasn’t been easy, but Tatum sees the big picture. “It’s hard balancing everything, and sometimes I have to miss one for the other. I’ve even missed football games for races. But the main thing I’ve learned is not to give up, you only get better the more you do it.”
Bernice Captures Girls Consolation Championship
For Bernice Brewer, the weekend was another step in her young but already decorated relay career. She captured the Girls’ Consolation Championship at Eagle Butte — a week after winning the same title at the Championship of Champions in Casper, Wyoming.
“It felt good,” Bernice said with a smile. “It always feels good. It makes me feel like my hard work pays off.”
Racing up in age groups has only sharpened her drive. “I enjoy the rush of the race — it’s really anyone’s game when you get out there. I moved up in age groups this year, so I’m running with older kids most of the time, which makes me work a lot harder to win.”
Building Bonds with Horses and Team
Bernice emphasized the importance of trust and connection with the horses. “The morning of every race I go and sit with my horses and talk to them, kind of like hype them up, because it’s not just me running this race — it’s them too. Me and my team — Ryan, Skylar, and Antonio — spend hours every day practicing our exchanges, keeping the horses calm, and building that trust.”
Looking to the Future
The young rider already has big goals. “Next summer I’ll still be in the youth category, but I’ll also be practicing on bigger horses to get ready for the next summer when I move up to juniors or women’s. I’ll also be teaching my little brother Brantley to run my ponies because he’ll be competing in the kids relay. In the future, I plan on winning the Championship of Champions Women’s relay, and I really want to go to Canada and win up there.”
From Eagle Butte to Casper and beyond, Tatum and Bernice Brewer are proving that their family’s passion and commitment to Indian relay is laying the foundation for even bigger victories ahead.