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.

 

Howdy All!s

Sunday, day #4 and last of the Saskatoon Ashley Richards Memorial Chuckwagon Races.  A week goes by so fast when your doing something that you enjoy.  Duncan and Karina do have time to just hang out and have some fun.  They have been meeting a lot of the other young adults that have been hired by other drivers.  They represent different countries such as Switzerland, France, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and Ireland to name a few.

They got up on the liner to get a birds eye view of our camping spot here in Saskatoon.

The races were early today beginning at 2:15 pm.  It really makes us adjust our day when the races are start at that time.  The air was pretty chilly for a better part of the day.  So much so that Rick put on his long johns one more time.  When you travel the roads like we do, you come prepared with every piece of clothing just in case.

Well, I woke up 2 mornings ago to shredded toilet paper in my cupboard under the sink.  This only meant one thing………. we had an intruder.  And one that I really don’t like.  I got the rat poison out and my bag of traps that were stored in a drawer.  The poison might work well, but I like to have proof!  And I got proof.  I think it was 3 am when I heard the “SNAP!”  Oh I was so glad when I had to remove it from the trailer.  And I hope that there will be no more.

This weekend, our outriders were Chance and Casey.  They went penalty free for us all four runs and did one hell of a job handling the horses, mounting up and riding around the track to be within the 150 feet of the wagon as it crossed the finish line.

Both of these young men come from Chuckwagon families.  Chance`s great uncle, Herman Flad competed as a driver and Casey`s dad Ross Knight is currently on the tour.  Both of these young men are two of the best on the tour today.

Our Chuckwagon Sport, relies on sponsors to keep us going.  GMC has been alongside the World Professional Chuckwagon Association for some time now.  We thank them for all their support.

Our hook today, was Spin on the Right Lead, Bacardi on the Left Lead, Law on the Right Wheel and Jim on the Left Wheel.  Spin was the only one not to perform up to standard.  Despite that, we posted a 1:19.27 which was good enough for 4th on the day which also brought us up to 17th overall.  We are continuing to hold down fourth in the world standings.  So we`ve had a pretty good run so far.

The little gal who received the mini chuckwagon today wasn`t quite sure what to think.  Maybe she was just a bit shy of getting her photo taken, and dad was elated to hold onto her prize.

Kids just make my day.  I have always enjoyed kids.  They bring joy and happiness into your life and help you to forget all your worries of the day.   We met Tallance and her family a couple of years ago when she received a mini Chuckwagon.  They came back to meet us and get Rick to sign it.  We`ve been friends ever since.

I rarely seem to get a photo with Rick and I together.  Today I pinned him down and managed to get a fairly good one.  So many people say how much he looks like his late uncle Dallas who also raced wagons a number of years ago.  As we are getting older, I see it too.

We are off too Southern Alberta, to the City of Medicine Hat tomorrow.  They are calling for temperatures in the range of 27 degrees on Monday, then rain for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Maybe, just maybe I will get 2 days of nap time to catch up on some zzz`s.

Until Next Time

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23“

P.S.  If we all make today AWESOME for everybody else, today will be AWESOME for everybody.

 

 

 

Howdy All!

I managed to have a fairly good sleep last night, then was up early this morning at 6 AM.  I fed oats for Rick and he got to sleep in.  Shortly thereafter I went our for a morning run.  Here at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, we are situated quite close to the South Saskatchewan River which has a beautiful park and walking trails that goes for miles.

Today was a rather quiet day.  Between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM we have track times to utilize it for hooking an outfit and or exercising the outriding horses.  We had 6 horses that needed to go and  we got it done.

This race season, there are 4 of us traveling down the road.  Karina hails from Ontario, yet born in Quebec.  She brings to us a smiley and friendly personality.  Karina worked with horses in Banff, giving carriage rides to tourists.  She oversees the horses that may have leg issues that need to be tended to.  Her helpful hand keeping things in order in the travelling barn/liner  relieves me to do other things around the camp.

Come race time, “Team 23” gets all the tack, horses and wagon ready for our turn on the track in the 9th heat.  Being ready ahead of time allows us to go and watch the first 3 heats.   For the opening ceremonies, the crowd was treated to a trick riding show.  One of the gals performing is Payton Bensmiller, daughter of Lisa.

This young gal is only twelve years old and has been riding since she was 3.  She has a passion for performing and has traveled far and wide gaining more and more recognition every day.

Payton makes her job look so easy and effortless.  She puts her heart and soul into each and every performance.  She’s a joy to watch.

As the evening went on, the air got colder.  The coats and sweaters came out.  Our hook tonight was Spirit on the Left Lead, Spin on the Right Lead, Spirit on the Left Wheel and Glory on the Right Wheel.  Chance and Casey rode Beau and Ice.

Coming off the two barrel, Rick said the wheelers started hard lifting the front of the chuckwagon off the ground.  Around the figure eight they went.  Colt Cosgrave was off the one barrel and got the rail.  Rick trailed in behind and stayed there till the finish line.  We posted a time of  1:18.68 good for 5th on the day and brought us up to 22nd in the show.

These fine looking young men were quite the duo to have received the mini chuckwagon.  I`m not quite sure how they`ll share it but I`m sure they`ll find a way.

Not long after the races were completed the sky to the west was brewing.  It was time to batten the hatches as we were sure to get wet.  It was a spectacular sight to see.

Until tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23“

P.S.  I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.

 

Howdy All!

Oh gosh, I was tired this morning.   It was late when I crawled into bed.  Chores come early and away we go again for another day on the road.  It was cloudy most the day and even got a downpour of rain in the afternoon.  Just enough to wash away the dirt and dust from everything.

After breakfast and chores, I snuck away for an hour long nap that was so needed.  I keep close attention to my energy levels as I get older.  It’s important, especially when we are on the road doing what we do.

If I don’t, things such as these happen, and then I may say bad words out loud.  Heaven forbid.  And yes I’m pretty sure I did just that.  Yesterday, I made a nice pot of spaghetti and sauce to go with.  It was tasting and smelling real good.  It was all prepared as I went out to help with afternoon chores, only to come back to the burner still on under the sauce!   Oh my gosh!!!  The smell of burnt food flooded the trailer, the pot had only half in it from when I left, and most of it was stuck to the bottom of the pot.  No cleaning that out.  It was on permanently stuck there forever.  Gives me good excuse to go shopping and get me another.  And what can you do?  Just laugh about it and bring out the crackers, meat and cheese and maybe some fruit for dessert.

After lunch we hosted Darla from the local Chamber of Saskatoon to come and take a look around our camp, meet the horses and get a feel for what Chuckwagon Racing is all about.  As this was her first time by, she was quite impressed with the whole operation.

Darla got a chance to pet some of the horses and sit up in the drivers seat of the Chuckwagon.  She went away with a great outlook on the world of our Western Heritage that we live.

Tammy, our Director of Partnerships & Administration of the WPCA came along as well for the tour.  She quickly made friends with our horse named Louie.  He’s such a kind friendly horse and loves lots of attention.  You will see Louie in the near future hooked on an outfit.

 

Afternoons are pretty quite around the barns.  It’s the time when a good portion of the Chuckwagon drivers get in a nap.  The barn hands do too, and the wife’s…………….well sometimes they do, but most are running for groceries, going to the laundry mat or preparing  the next meal of the day and any other odds and end that need to be done.

When the evening comes, my job is to take the outriding horses to the infield for the outriders, and return.  Our policy, is to always tend to them and never leave them when tied up.  So I do just that.  You never know when equipment could get caught up and then a problem arises.

Tonight’s hook was Sporty on the Right Lead, Spirit on the Left Lead, Glory on the Right Wheel and Cowboy on the Left Wheel.  Chance Flad rode Beau holding the leaders and Casey Knight had Ice throwing stove.  The outriders did a very good job tonight, both of them are top notch riders.

Off of barrel one, Rick had an awesome start coming around the top, but then just as he was making his way around the bottom to go to the track, the left hip of  the wheel horse Cowboy feathered the barrel and it fell down.  An automatic 5 second penalty.  Ouch!!!

You can’t afford to get one of those, because it drops you down in the standings in a hurry.  Despite that error, the horses ran very well.  The running time was a 1:20.38 which would have been an 11th on the day.  With the penalty it took us down to 30th spot.

 

After the races, the mini chuckwagon was given out.  This fine looking young lady was very happy to have received it.

Until Tomorrow

From The Travelin Trailer

Sue with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Always end the day with a positive thought.  No matter how hard things were, tomorrows a fresh opportunity to make it better.

Howdy All,

Grande Prairie Stompede 2017 is in the history books.  When the dust settled, we were very happy how things turned out for “Team 23”.  Making the final dash for cash was a surprise to us as we didn’t expect it.  With having that speedy day money run the day before, it jumped us up into the top 4.  We all did the happy dance.  I always say, it’s great to make the final four and its a bonus to win the show.

We departed Grande Prairie late in the day due to truck repair issues with both the Peterbilt and the Frieghtliner.  None the less, we made it home sometime after midnight.

It was good to be home, even for one night in our own bed.  I was especially touched when I found this little note upon my pillow.  Our grandson Coy had left it for me when I returned.  He melts my heart.

In just 2 short weeks, so much had taken place at the Ranch.  Amy had gathered abandoned duck eggs, put them in an incubator to hatch.  And they did, all 10 of them.  They are pretty darn cute and they follow her and Coy everywhere.  It’s pretty amazing as they only take 28 days from the egg  being laid to hatching.  It will be interesting to see if they come back year after year.

Amy’s  little filly was born the day we left for Grande Prairie and has grown some since then.  Grandson Ryker and our daughter Kaylee came by to see us, and little Ryker was making friends with Daphne.  Kids and animals always create such a special bond.

Even after 2 weeks gone, I notice so many changes in Ryker.  He’s growing so fast.  It won’t be long he will be walking and running.

We were home only for a few short hours and it was time to hit the road again.  The ponies all got a good run, stretch and green grass to nibble on before we left.  Then it was time to say good-bye once more.

Just before departing,  I picked some wonderful aromatic lilacs off our blooming bushes to bring with us in the trucks.  It’s nice to bring just a little bit of home with me.

We had a safe and sound journey east to Saskatoon, the next stop on our circuit.   The horses traveled well and they were happy to have a fresh bed of straw, clean water and feed for the night.

Race night #1 came quickly.  The weather here today was probably close to 30 degrees.  I was loving it.  After Grande Prairie, all the drivers get reseated into new heats according to the world point standings.  We ended up in the last heat here on night one in Saskatoon  as we were 4th overall.

Our hook tonight was Nickle Left Lead,  Speedy Right Lead, Jim Left Wheel and Law on the Right Wheel.  Chance Flad held the leaders with Ed, and Casey Knight threw the stove with Stadium.  When the horn blew the horses started so hard that the wagon lifted up off the ground.  Around the barrels went, and the race was on.  Rick drove three wide the whole way around and managed to take a 16/17 split time of 1:19.70 with Mike Vigen.  We were very happy with how they ran.

Again this year, we are very excited to be giving out after each and every race, a mini chuckwagon to some lucky fan, young or old.  Tonight this little gal and her family were ecstatic to have received it.  They came back to the barns to get a photo with Rick and the real big Chuckwagon.

Until Tomorrow

Sue, with Rick and Team 23

P.S.  Be smart enough to hold on, and be brave enough to let go.