Howdy Chuckwagon Friends,

Another week gone by.  This morning we awoke to very heavy smoke in the air.  It felt smelled and tasted like a smoldering camp fire right out the door.  I cringe thinking of the folks who battle with asthma and how this might affect them.  Later on in the day it did clear up for a very nice evening.

Before the races began, we were able to say a hello to the head chief of all operations of the Dawson Creek Exhibition and Stampede, Connie Patterson.  She is one heck of a lady, that gets things done.  This week was very successful because of her and all of the volunteers under her.  Kudos to them all.

The Dawson Creek Committee took time before the last race night, to recognize Kelly Sutherland and all his accomplishments in his 50 years plus here in this city.  He spoke that as a kid at a very young age, began riding flat horses here in 1968.  He shortly thereafter began racing chuckwagons.  He said at that young age it was terrifying and exciting at the same time.  Yet it got in his blood and never looked back.  He did a lot over the many years of his carreer and he will always be remembered.

Before the first heat ran, the top four finalists were introduced to the crowd and the barrel draw was done.  Mitch Sutherland got the one barrel, Rick got two,  Chanse Vigen driving for his dad, Mike Vigen was on three and John Walters was on four.

Our outriders tonight were Chad Cosgrave holding the leaders with Ed, and Casey Knight throwing stove with Andy.  Both did a fabulous job.

Our hook was Spirit on the Left Lead, Sporty on the Right.  Jim on the Left Wheel and Law on the Right.  Boy did they start hard.  Unfortunately for Mitch on one, he knocked his top barrel, an automatic five second penalty.  The race continued on with Rick two wide, Mitch on the rail, John Walters three wide and Chanse Vigen in behind.  John managed to take the lead on the backstretch and kept it coming on home.  Rick fell back a bit to finish fourth in the race.  John and Bonnie Walters are the 2017 Dawson Creek Champs.  Congratulations to them and their crew.

We will be heading out south to Rocky Mountain House, tomorrow morning early as we have a 7 hour trek ahead of us.  The last meet of the season begins on Thursday.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.