Howdy Chuckwagon Friends
Every day’s a great day when you can get up and breathe! So many times, one can take life for granted. When our health is in check and things are going smooth we don’t realize how many others have issues day to day, and just make it by with no complaining.
A Barn Tour to Meet the Horses
Today, we had a group of families come by called the Starlight Foundation.
Starlight Children’s Foundation partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world.
For over 23 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been transforming the lives of Canadian children who live with serious illness and their families. What makes us unique is that we are there for the entire journey—from the emergency room to recovery.
While in-hospital, Starlight provides distraction, entertainment and relief from the stress and boredom of hospitalization.
When out-of-hospital, Starlight children benefit from our ‘Escapes’ and ‘Wishes’ programs— giving them an opportunity to leave the ‘sick’ behind, create special family memories and return home with a renewed sense of strength and hope.
Starlight is looking to expand to more hospitals and in more communities across Canada. The need is tremendous—and it is only with the generous support of our donors and partners that we will be able to reach and impact these special children, who so greatly benefit from our programs.
The smiles on the faces of these families today were very touching. They so much appreciated to be getting out to experience a little bit of our life in the barns. I commend each and every family in this program. They are my heroes of today.
Our Home Away From Home
Our shed row is decked out with flags and banners with many sponsors that have come out to support us. The Mavericks are amazing guys that love to have fun and work hard to support so many charities along the way. We give a huge shout out to them for believing in Rick, Sue and Team 23! I’m loving also the live flowers provided to me by my friend Mary-Lynn (aka Red Neck Barbie) from Bruces’s Tru Value Hardware in Ponoka that don the entry way and hang in the barn. I hope I can keep them alive for the full 10 tens. I’ve been watering them every day.
“Team 23” Photo Credit: Char G Photography
TEAM 23 loves to have fun and it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t get a group shot for Stampede 2016!
A Quiet Afternoon
From noon till 4, the barns are quiet, quiet, quiet. Many are sleeping, others are doing errands. The barns don’t have much movement by people and horses alike. The horses rest very well in the barns with big fans going, keeping them comfortable with cool air movement all around. They get treated royally.
Tonight before the races, Rick had a live Facebook interview with WPCA personal Brian and Tammy. They asked many questions about Chuckwagon Races and our Horses. If you would like to see it, just look up World Professional Chuckwagon Association on Facebook.
Heading for the Bottom Barrel
Just Before the Tip
Going Over
So, tonight’s heat 4, which was the one Rick was in on barrel 1, didn’t play out quite the way we had envisioned. The horses started pretty good, went around the top barrel, but didn’t quite make it around the bottom. . Instead, the barrel got ran over, and somehow it tipped the Chuckwagon, spilling Rick out onto the dirt and the outfit ran off. Our outrider David Bensmiller was able to catch up to the runaway team and get them woed up by the 3rd turn. Once the dust settled, my hubby was fine, and his main concern was our horses. We caught up with them, and found out that they were perfectly fine as well. All of them were vet checked and given a thumbs up.
A Bit of a Spill
As I sit and write in the quietness of my Travelin Trailer, so many emotions pass through me. First off, I Love my husband Rick very much. When we first met, he won me over by his teasing personality. He loves to have fun. I married into his family of Chuckwagon Life on the road. I must say we have had quite the wonderful journey these past 32 years, and would not take back anything for the world. We have laughed, cried, sang, cheered, fought, been quiet, disagreed,forgiven, bonded, and loved along the way. I have seen him hurt other times before during his race career. Tonight’s incident was frightening for all to have watched. When the dust settled, Rick was fine. No injuries. The horses, were fine. No injures. We are very thankful for this. At the end of the day, it is what it is. Rick has been living his dream, racing around the track with many beautiful powerful thoroughbreds to which we call family. My heart hurts for my husband and I quietly shed tears for him, because I know that our dream to capture the Calgary Stampede title has been diminished once again. Does this title really matter in the big scheme of things at the end of the day? No not really. And we both agree on this. What really matters is the kids we will meet tomorrow when we go up to the local Children’s Hospital and meet the young souls there, that struggle day to day with health issues and never complain. That is what really matters in the big scheme of things today.
So we urge you to hug your kids, your grand-kids and family and enjoy them each and every day.
The Wheel of Life
We are the hub, and the kids are the spokes, keeping us all connected in this wheel of life.
From the Travelin Trailer
Sue, with Rick and Team 23
P.S. You never know how STRONG you are until being STRONG is the only choice you have.
Sue
Anyone Blessed enough to know Rick and Sue already knows they are Champions On so many different levels – with so many diverse things. I am So Blessed to call them friends – Winning Calgary this year might have been Amazing – but winning at life with your Family and Friends you do daily. You truly were the most Victorious the day you both met. Always Heroes to all of us – We Luv ya all !
The Mavericks are all behind Team 23!!!
Nice positive approach Sue. Good to know the horses and Rick are OK
Thank the Lord Rick and the horses are fine. All the best for the rest of the Stampede and the rest of this racing season. Rick exemplifies all that is good about Wagon Racing he and Team 23 set the bar very high and are respected by wagon fans everywhere
Thank God Rick is ok you are so right we need to be so thankful for what we have hugs going to both of you just take in the moments you guys deserve it! Love Patti and Brad
So relieved that all is well for horses and Rick!
Oh Sue,we all went to bed emotionally upset and greatful everyone okay.your post brought tears to my eyes this morning as you are so strong and beautiful in many many waysHave a great day at the Children’s Hospital Carol
This brought a tear to my eye…so sorry for team 23 but in the grand scheme of things life is good and when I see little ones struggle it really puts things into perspective…so enjoy your blog Sue, you do a great job…
We watched and our hearts sunk when Mr Fraser and the wagon went over, the heaviness left when we seen Mr Frasr run and then the interview.
Now a bit off topic, I noticed when you were describing yours and Mr Frasers 32 yr life together, you wrote fought, this to me shows that life has curves and the myth some people have of lollipops and flowers is marrige, me and my Mrs are 18yrs and it isnt all roses but we manage and four children in we do well. We love each other and enjoy doing almost everything as a family, as I see your blogs, I enjoy reading them and sharing them.
Glad all is ok, ( less the wagon), but its materialistic, it can be fixed, Good things come to good people with a bit of hard work, YOU guys are great people and glad I had an opportunity to have met you and Mr Fraser in the past at The Dawson Creek Stampede.
Thank You again
The Heartts
Our hearts stopped and fast prayers were said,we are so glad that Rick and the horses are ok,keep your chins up
Jimmy and I wanted to call you last night but figured you were probably busy with Ricky and making sure he’s ok and letting the family know he’s ok. Was just terrifying to watch, I can just imagine how long those split seconds were for you when you saw that Wagon going on its side. Thinking of you guy’s and sending hugs
We were so relieved to see Rick head out after the horses last night, that was a frightening sight to watch the trailer go over. So glad Rick and the horses are OK and look forward to watching him win tonight. Thanks for your updates every day we really enjoy them especially when the races arnt on TV.Art and Marie
So well written Sue and so thankful Rick and team were OK Today is a new day!
Oh my god, I was so scared when the spill happened, but very relieved. When I saw Rick get up and started to run to check on his babies. My heart went out to you Sue, I thought what. A scarey thing to have to watch, and pray. He would not be harmed, I watched the interview with you and Rick it was good, he defened the sport and told everyone it was his fault, and please continue to enjoy the sport, horses were fine. Rick will be sore today, but he is alive, and that is the most important thing. I will of course continue to watch And Cheer for Team 23!
We watched the wreck last night Sue & Rick – so thankful that Rick and horses are alright. I bet Rick was sore though!
Your biggest fan, Logan was very worried and will be at the Stampede tomorrow to see Rick run. I know he’s going to try to see you folks. I loved hearing about your experiences with the kids – Logan has been through so much in his almost 21 years, we never take it for granted that he is here with us. We did a special thank you to our doctor in Edmonton a few weeks back – he was so pleased and we know that he’s a huge part of the reason we still have Logan with us. Hope to see you at RMH.
From our family to yours – take care on the road.
Mike, Chris, Erin(Mike), Logan & Quinn Woods
Hi Sue,
I’m so happy for you, your family and team 23 that Rick and the horses are OK. That was frightening for me to watch; I can’t imagine how you and yours felt…
Just so you know, I shared the link to your blog, “The Travellin’ Trailer” on Cowboy Country’s FB page. So far, (if I read this stuff right) over 11,000 folks have viewed it (in 2 hours!) and so far, 2,000 people have clicked onto your blog.
Have a wonderful rest of the Stampede…
Sincerely
Terri Mason
Editor
Canadian Cowboy Country magazine
Canadian Finals Rodeo program
Tanner Young Publishing
1, 9301 50 Street
Edmonton, AB T6B 2L5
http://www.cowboycountrymagazine.com
1-800-943-7336 (toll free)
403-506-2896 (cell)
editor@cowboycountrymagazine.com
terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com
or home:
terri.mason@sasktel.net
Glad everyone is fine sorry to hear this but love your positive attitude ❤️😊
Thanks Sue for all your wonderful blogs. We were watching the races on TV last night and our hearts broke for Rick, You, and all of Team 23. I can not imagine how shocking and worrisome it must have been for you to see Rick’s wagon go over, and him rolling out into the dirt. We are very thankful that he was unhurt, and that your horses are all fine. We were cheering for Team 23 and will continue to cheer, especially for day money from here on for the remainder of the Stampede 2016! Take care.
Thank the lord you are okay Rick! The horses are good too, what a relief! Sue, beautifully qritten… Hugs to you all❤️
what an inspiration you 2 are to the world.I agree you have your love of your life with you plus your pets. always another year for our dreams THAT WE CANNT DUE ALONE. God Bless you two plus your team . What sportsmanship you have.Good Luck God Bless all.
Sue, Rick
A very scary moment – glad to see and hear that all turned out OK (a few bumps and bruises are pare par for the course). Keep on truckin’
Jack Mac
Hi Sue and Rick I’m so happy that Rick and the horses and you are fine .Your so lucky to have Rick as your hubby and I know same goes for Rick you guys are perfect together I look forward to reading your Travelin Trailer Thank you
I am so glad it turned out like it did. When the wagon tipped over my heart was in my mouth. Tell Rick the gods were watching him. Good luck in the rest of our journey.
Hi Sue:
Watched the incident last night and am very thankful Rick and the team are OK. My father had a saying “If you want to hear God laugh … tell him your plans!”.
What is important is the values that you stated in your message. Awards fade; actions that make a difference in someone’s life today do not.
All the best,
Vern
Well said and we are so grateful that Rick and his horses are ok. Bless you all.
Thank you for your blog. I’m a huge Chucks fan from the states and have followed many drivers for years including Rick. Your blog today was so moving. What a great attitude you and Rick have. So happy all are safe. Best wishes!!! #Wisconsinchucksfan
Hello Kimera
Thank you for following my journey. I am overwhelmed by the many folks around the world looking in.
It is always great to hear from others and how I have been able to touch anothers life in some small way.
Cheers
Sue
Sue, you are a truly beautiful person inside and out! Anyone who knows you and your family is better for it. We are so blesed to call you our friends.
Now give that RICK a hug for us! See you soon.
Don Bell
Thank you so much for this blog, Sue. I am so glad that Rick and your horses are ok. We watch you race every chance we get and I know that you both are awesome people. God takes good care of his people. May you do well for the rest of the stampede.
We were one of the families on the barn tour pictured above from the starlight foundation and then was seen in hospital by your family. It brighten up my sons day and he couldn’t stop talking about it. Thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to come see us!!! 🙂