The final day of the 2017 Ponoka Stampede has come to an end.  The day was filled with all kinds of activities.  When I got up this morning, I had to check my blog.  You see, I was pretty tired last night when writing, and I was getting sleepy and anxious to head to bed.  Thus the spelling and crazing wording, so I just thought I would explain.  This is not the first time it has happened.  When I first started writing about 5 years ago, I had just been emailing my letters out.  We were in at the Calgary Stampede, probably 3/4’s way into it.  I was so tired, it was probably  1 or 2 AM.  I was sitting on a stool trying my darnedest to get wrapped up, when I literally fell off the stool! I was sure I was going to wake someone up and I was so glad I never because I felt kind of goofy and just laughed at myself.  And yes this story went into my blog the following day.

Layne Bremner Chuckwagon Auction

This morning after chores, our Chuckwagon Families all gathered around driver Layne Bremners barn.  He had made the decision to hang up the lines and sell all his horses and equipment for various reasons.  It is always hard to say goodbye to a fellow family.  Layne enjoyed racing here on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association and also the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association.

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Many Drivers, Outriders, Friends, Barn Hands and some Chuckwagon Fans looked on, to either buy or just watch all the action.  Before going into Calgary is a good time to sell as there are always a few outfits that are in need of a wheeler, leader or even and outriding horse or two.  The turnout was fantastic and I believe Layne was pretty happy with how things went.

My afternoon was filled doing paperwork in my office work in the back end of my home on wheels.  The bills don’t quite coming when I’m on the road.  Once finished that, I managed a quick happy hour beverage with our good friends/relatives Bruce and Bonnie.  Then I headed back to the barn to for chores and then to make a bite to eat for everyone.

Our New Little Helper

Little Ryker loves to be around the barn.  He’s just at that stage of walking just a bit, but much easier to crawl.  He loved playing with the bucket handles, but wasn’t quite sure about the texture of the feed.

A Pretty Braid with a Purpose

One hour before race time, a mini rain storm came through.  It did dampen us up a bit on our way to the track.  Nothing my rain-suit couldn’t handle.  If the track is muddy we always tie up their tales.  Most crews do.  The reason?  It keeps the mud from collecting to it and therefore keeps it clean and easier to brush through.

Sittin’ Tight

Up at the track, we bring the two outriding horses before the first heat begins, and we leave after the ninth heat is completed.  This is “Team 23” rules.  The chute is quite narrow, so we choose not go when the Chuckwagons are going to a fro.

Owning It

Our odd horse wears a mask with cups on it for race time.  Stadium came from the state of Kentucky.  When he arrived he was rather small and had no extra meat on him.  We fattened him up and began the training.  He caught on fast and today is one of our good outriders horses.

Turning the Top

We drew the three barrel in the seventh heat for tonight’s races.  It really isn’t what we wanted, but yet the running seemed to be 2 or 3 wide.

Rick hooked  Chad Harden’s Cadillac on the Left Wheel, Air on the Right.  Bacardi on the Left Lead and Spin on the Right.  Dustin rode Stadium holding leaders and Dean threw the stove on Ernie.  Rick had a great turn around the barrels and propelled forward onto the track.  He ran 3 wide and  nipping first ahead of the others at the finish line.  Unfortunately, our outrider had some difficulty and caused us three seconds in penalties.  Two for not going around a barrel and one for being late.  This put us down to 29th on the day, when we could have been 5th.  Tough!  That’s wagon Racing they say.

Congratulations goes out to Kurt and Ashley Bensmiller on their Championship win along with outriders Rory Gervais and Shawn Calf Robe.

Ponoka Pride

I must say it has been a good Stampede here in Ponoka.  I can’t believe we are finished already.  We are looking forward to heading  and settling into Calgary for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.  The Calgary Stampede.  It’s the show you want to be at.  Looking forward to doing very well there.

Until Next Time

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

Sue

P.S.  Climb the mountain so you can see the world.  Not so the world can see you.