Photos Courtesy of Malia White Eyes
The thunder of hooves, the roar of the crowd, and the rush of adrenaline carried three young women from Maȟpíya Lúta to a powerful finish at the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council’s Championship of Champions. Competing against some of the top teams across the Plains, senior Malia White Eyes, her sister sophomore Alyssa White Eyes, and freshman Lisandera Ladeaux earned 3rd place in the women’s championship consolation.
Teamwork and Preparation
Malia credits the bond between teammates, horses, and family as the foundation of their success.
“The joys of being with each other created a strong bond between us and our horses,” she said. “We put in early mornings and late nights taking care of them, while still being students. It wasn’t always easy, but as long as we had each other, we knew everything would be okay.”
Their preparation wasn’t just physical but also mental, staying grounded in trust and determination to carry each race through.
The Thrill of the Race
On the track, every second and every exchange demands courage. Each team member brought their own experience and emotion to the moment. Lisandera admitted nerves sometimes creep in while waiting at the line, while Alyssa described the adrenaline of catching a horse at full speed:
“It’s scary at times, but it’s all about my team,” Alyssa shared. “The crowd makes my heart rush, realizing how far we’ve come together.”
For Malia, the intensity of the race is also what fuels her passion.
“The adrenaline rushes are something I build myself off of. Walking out to the track with people hollering and horses prancing makes me realize we’re here and we’re doing this together.”
Competing with Courage
Racing against older, more seasoned women’s teams could have been intimidating, but the Maȟpíya Lúta riders turned it into motivation.
“It isn’t about who we run against,” Malia explained. “It’s about how we represent ourselves to the youth watching in the stands. We’ve worked years to be here, and we just go out and show the crowd what we can do.”
Pride and Lessons Learned
Earning 3rd place was an important milestone, but also a stepping stone toward the future.
“We knew we could have done better, but it’s just a matter of time before we show it,” Malia said. “Every race is a lesson. We’re becoming better versions of ourselves and moving forward. It’s never over—we’ll be back next year with more experience.”
Family Connections
For the White Eyes family, racing is more than competition—it’s heritage, healing, and unity. The team’s name honors their late grandfather, William Jumping Eagle Sr., and is carried forward by their father, William Jumping Eagle Jr. He provides for the team’s needs, from entry fees and feed to motivation and life lessons.
“It’s not about winning,” Malia said. “It’s about being together as a family and learning to communicate with each other.”
Their mother, Susan White Eyes, is equally vital, supporting from the stands or behind the scenes—fundraising, making team shirts in their bold hot pink and black colors, and encouraging her daughters to chase their dreams.
Photo Courtesy of Horse Nations Indian Relay Council
The Spirit of Relay
In the end, the team’s story is about resilience, family, and community. Their motto says it all:
“Tough times don’t last. Tough teams do.”
With each race, senior Malia White Eyes, sophomore Alyssa White Eyes, and freshman Lisandera Ladeaux carry forward not only skill, but also the pride and the enduring spirit of the Horse Nations.