Tyson Head isn’t just a racer; he’s a torchbearer of tradition and a mentor to the next generation of Indigenous athletes. Tyson began his journey into the world of Indigenous Relay Racing at a young age, at the Saskatoon track, driven by his passion for horses and the thrill of competition. Recognizing the transformative power of sport, he has dedicated himself to empowering Indigenous youth through relay racing. He believes that every young person deserves a chance to shine, and he provides them with the opportunity to discover their potential on the track.
D.O.B.: TBD
Hometown: Mistawasis First Nation, Saskatchewan
Sport event: Relay racing (captain of TK Farrier Services Indigenous Relay team)
Stampede attendance: 2022 and 2023
Notable facts: Tyson has a background in farriery (horseshoeing) and is trained in equine chiropractic practices.
In Tyson’s words:
I've been relay racer for the past seven years. And I've been doing it since then with my sons and also with troubled youth. This experience, I share it with these troubled youths and it’s amazing to see them get a sense of belonging. I'm so proud of these young guys for achieving their education and I love watching these kids develop into who they are now today, racing at the Calgary Stampede.
When I'm selecting guys to work with certain horses, they all have to fit in. It's just like a relationship. You can see which ones are going to get along and which ones are going to be fighting each other. So, you got to switch them around and make them become a family. I look at each individual and each individual horse and how that person is communicating with them and the compassion, the care, the time they're putting into it, the responsibility and where that horse is at. Because you can always make a sour horse, or you can make a happy horse. And if somebody ain't going to get along with that horse, then they're going to fight, and it'll go nowhere. That horse ain't going to succeed and the talent is not going to be known. These horses have a lot of hidden talent. I get each guy to look after three horses, to bathe them, to cool them: I'm bonding them. Then I know that together they're going to do absolutely amazing, because each guy knows every individual horse personally. He knows his flaws and his talent. So, they can make sure everything goes great.