Click here to view a video of the race.

And they're off!

While there weren't any "wins by a nose,"the Mandan Rodeogrounds were alive with the thundering sounds of horse races all Sunday afternoon.

There were races for every type of rider, including stick horse races, pony races and even mule races, although the mules were less inclined to race and more inclined to wander off the track. The woman who won did so because her mule was the only one, albeit most likely the slowest, to stay on course.

Ponies were ridden by youngsters, and teenagers had their own heats in the youth rides. Nearly 30 entrants total rode in the races this year, the second year of horse racing at the Mandan Rodeogrounds.

Bryen Birkholz, organizer of the event, wants to see the races grow every year. He said it's a way for riders to showcase their skills, and it's fun time for family.

In fact, Birkholz hopes to have a full-fledged equine center in Mandan within the next decade, he said.

Overall, he was pleased with the attendance this year, and plans to continue organizing the event in the years to come.