Hand-tinted stereograph, T. W. Ingersoll [?], c. 1899, 8.9 x 17.8 cm. 

Native American Indian man dressed in blue loincloth, red sash, blue cravat, and red headband holding reins of black pony with  feather in its forelock.  Two people and two ponies in background. 

On front: “454.  Sioux Indian Rider and His Racing Pony.” 





On back: “Every Indian is a born gambler.  He has no possession so dear to him that he will not wager it on any proposition where he feels that he has an even chance.  One of their favorite forms of gambling is in horse racing.  Probably the dearest possession of a Sioux is his racing pony and every warrior who has been able to buy, beg or steal a fleet-footed pony, guards this treasure far more zealously than he does his wife or children.  That some of these Indian ponies are really creditable racers is evidenced by the fact that many of the fleetest horses on the turf today have sprung from this stock.  It is evident that the young man in the foreground of this picture is about to engage in a race as he is dressed strictly in racing costume, and it will be noted that he is not over-burdened with clothes.  The Indian race is invariably a sprinting affair for a comparatively short distance and there are no rules governing the contest such as control civilized racing.  Whipping and fouling in the most outrageous manner are not only allowed but encouraged.  The pony in the foreground has evidently been successful in a race as he is decorated with the feather of victory which cannot be used upon a race horse until he has won at least one race.  A8835”