Howdy Chuckwagon Friends

Holiday Monday and the day started very busy with chores and continued on with packing up to leave immediately for home after the races.  When we all pitch in it really doesn’t take too long to get on the road.  There is a place for everything.

Candice

Candice, we call our adopted daughter, has been coming to help us for many years now.  As she has now moved into adulthood with her engineer degree, her time spent with us has diminished.  Yet when she can, she always stops in and tends to do whatever needs to be done.  She’s a great help in the horse care department.  Oh,  and running to get Booster Juices’s especially for Rick.

Fawkes

Along with Candice, comes her companion dogs.  The newest one to her family is Fawkes.  Candice is an amazing dog trainer who has taken her previous dogs to agility championship titles.  This one will be no different I’m sure.   Training and persistence in any sport will take you to the top.  It’s only a matter of time.

Some Brand New Fans

While in Strathmore, Rick’s cousin Teresa popped in for a visit while attending the races.  She brought along with her some friends who were first timers to the event.  They have never seen such a thing.  The best part was, that they got to come back to the barn and meet the horses, Rick and see first hand how the whole operation runs.  They were quite impressed.  And we were thrilled to give them a tour and share our day to day life on the road. Fans for life!

A View From the Backstretch

In between heats, the crew would run up to the fence and watch 3 races before it was time to hook the last outfit.  I think most times there was a little betting going on.

On the Run

The 2nd outfit in the first heat was comprised up of Louie on the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right.  LA, Logan Gorsts horse on the Left Wheel and King on the Right Wheel.  Chance Flad held leaders with Chad Harden’s Cadilac and Casey Knight threw the stove with our horse Air.

Taking the Lead for Home

We landed a 13th on the day with the outfit and 20th in the show.  Fairly good for having a whole mix of horses throughout the 4 days of racing.  A huge thank you to Don Adams of Ja-Co Welding for the sponsorship.  Much appreciated.

Casey Knight

Casey is one of the top outriders in the association.  He is quite the all around athlete.  During the Chuckwagon  season, he takes time and dons his hockey equipment and stays conditioned playing games on the ice during down days.  He’s a quiet one, doesn’t care for a lot of recognition, and you can always count on him to get the job done right.

Side by Side

The last hook of the day, was Nickle on the Left Lead, Speedy on the Right.  Jim on the Left Wheel and Law on the Right.  Dustin Gorst held leaders with Ed, and Mad Dog, (Ryan McNeil) threw stove with Stadium.   We were so looking forward to a speedy “CLEAN” run after the last 3 days of penalties.  Well, Rick pulled into the barrels awaiting the horn to sound.  He waited, and waited and waited.  Not sure why the horn didn’t blow when all the wagons were set.  So while we waited to long in the barrels, the horses were getting ansy, and managed to knock the barrel over before the horn went.  So frustrating.  Another 5 seconds worth.  It’s shows such as this, where you just want to pack up and get to the next venue and start fresh and clean again.  Thanks to Terra HDD for the sponsorhip in Strathmore.

Making Friends

It was good to get home for a short bit after Strathmore.  We packed up and headed out of town in short order right after the races.  We arrived safely into Wetaskiwin around 8PM.   Upon our arrival at the Ranch, were our 2 grandkids Coy and Ryker along with our girls Amy and Kaylee,  and our son Cody.  Was good to see them all even if it was only for a short bit.

I thought about finishing up my blog that night, but sleep was way more tempting.  Our heads hit the pillow by 10 PM.  I don’t remember the last time I got to bed at that hour.  It was a very good decision.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

Sue

P.S.  Mental toughness is when you can find fuel in an empty tank.