Howdy All

We arose at 4 am on Monday morning to get a good start on the day of packing and traveling south to Medicine Hat, Alberta.  Our next stop on the World Professional Chuckwagon Tour.  I had mapped out our route before we left.  However, when we got to a little town called Rosetown, I was supposed to turn south.  For whatever reason, I never and we ended up going more west and south.  We did get to Medicine Hat okay, it was just poorer roads with no shoulders and some construction with gravel.  Next year, I think I will remember to head south to Swift Current and on to Medicine Hat.  A much better route.

We arrived at noon in Medicine Hat with very lovely warm temperatures that were close to 30 degrees.  After we made the corrals, filled the water tubs and unloaded the ponies, we sat in the shade, enjoyed a teen burger and a cold beverage.  Then the work began of setting up camp for our week-long stay here in the Hat.

Later that day, the track was open for practice.  Because we arrived fairly early on Monday, we hooked up an outfit for a run.  We normally don’t do this on a travel day, but the weather forecast was calling for rain the next 2 consecutive days.  So we decided we better get er done, as the moisture would close the track on those days.

Well it did rain for two days, but it didn’t put a damper on the Annual Humanitarian Golf tournament that I attend each year.  This is a great way to give back to the community and have some fun along the way.  Several chuckwagon drivers come out and play.  Rick doesn’t golf, so I go instead.  For the past 2 years I was teamed up with the guys from Rodeo Ford.  This year was no different.  We had lots of fun, laughs and beverages along the way.

To top things off, we came out on top of the tournament as first place winners.  A repeat from our first year together.  How good is that?

Miss Rodeo Canada, Medicine Hat Stampede Queen and Princess were also out in attendance.  I got a quick shot with her and a couple of other gals in the tournament.

Tonight off the 1 barrel, Rick hooked Ranger on the Right Lead, Air on the Left Lead, Jim on the Left Wheel and Law on the Right Wheel.  Rory Gervais held leaders riding Beau, and Casey Knight is behind throwing stove again with Ice.  Both the guys did a great job.

According to the driver, the horses started pretty decent, but then the kinda stopped going around the barrels.  Thus wasting precious time.  Team 23 did cross the line first in our heat, but was a bit slower than we wanted.  We posted a 1:03.37 good enough for 14th on the day.  We are still holding down 4th spot in the world standings.

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Every year we are excited to see our friends that we’ve made over the years.  These two young gals are big fans of Rick’s.  He loves to tease them when they come around.

Our friends, Jan, Astrid and Stephan made their way to Canada once again.  We met these fine folks about 6 or 7 years ago.  They happened to be in Medicine Hat just passing by the grounds and wondered what the heck we were about.  Well, we got them some tickets to see the races, gave them a tour of the barn and explained our life on the circuit.  Since then, we keep in contact through emails and they have been back every other year and always make a point to come and see us.

The crowd was pretty good for a Thursday night of racing.  This young fella was the lucky recipient to receive our mini chuckwagon giveaway.  We never got to meet up with him, but by the sounds of it, he was pretty excited to have it.

While we are awaiting our heat, we are able to retreat high above onto the liner to see the races before ours as we are parked right on the 3rd and 4th turn.

Until tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die tomorrow.