Howdy All!

My…. the wind blew all day yesterday, into the night, and all day today and continues to blow this evening. However, this was good as it kept it from being so hot.  We got a bit of rain over night but nothing like other places in Saskatchewan.

The union of the Thomas Family and “Team 23” came about with the chatting of two friends.  From the first moment we met Laurie, till the last of the event, as mothers we clicked.  The moments we had were special.  Forever friends from now on.

As the races were starting at 2:15 today, the morning hours and after race time were busy with packing up all our belongings to get ready to hit the road, south to Medicine Hat tomorrow.  I like the afternoon performance as it means I can get to bed a whole bunch earlier.

These young gals were the opening performance every day here in Saskatchewan.  They perform incredibly well.  You have to be extremely fit and very well rehearsed with an incredible horse that you trust.  I, along with the crowd really enjoyed watching them.

 

We were off the coveted one barrel tonight.  Ricky was excited!  Our hook was Spirit on the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right.  Sporty on the Left Wheel and Jim on the Right.  Chance and Rory road Ed and Icee.  Rick was excited because Jim was feeling great!  He had been having some issues and we couldn’t figure out what.  We had a couple of gals work on his head and neck area, (as they are equine therapists) and whatever magic fingers they used, he got adjusted to his liking and he performed amazing.

The race was spectacular and was just under the wire in time to take 2nd on the day with a time of 1:17.08 and ended up 10th in the average.  We are very, very happy with how all our horses are running.  Rick was just over a second ahead of the next chuckwagon in our heat.

A shout out goes to Kurt and Ashley Bensmiller Family on their first win of the 2018 season here at Prairieland Park, in Saskatoon Saskatchewan.  Very Well Done!

The outriders are a great bunch of guys, with a lot  of different personalities.  They love to have fun, joke around, and they totally enjoy what they are doing.  Rory rode for us here at this show, and it looks like he will be riding for us down in Medicine Hat as well.

There is always a smile on the faces of the ones that manage to get a little chuckwagon.  However, these two look a little familiar.  Some how I think they belong to one of the other camps.  I’m sure the gift will be well enjoyed.  Good on them.

Well, as the count down continues, another show on the tour has come to an end.  With such an emotional show here in Saskatoon, the memories we will cherish for a long time to come.

From The Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.   John F. Kennedy

Howdy All!

It all began with an idea.  My friend Lucy, from Saskatoon Saskatchewan suggested we do something special on our 2nd stop on the World Professional Chuckwagon tour, which would include the Humboldt Broncos, the Team that was involved in a fatal bus accident.  Lucy’s neighbor knew the Thomas family, and it was decided that we would ask the family if we could honor their late son Evan on our canvas during the four days of racing here at Prairieland Park.

Team 23 was on it.  Over the past 3 days, we have greeted some new friends, we’ve hugged, we’ve cried and we have shared.

There was an instant bond with the Thomas family.  Our purpose was to recognize their son Evan, here at the Chuckwagon Races, doing what we love.

Rick was off the four barrel, wearing the yellow shirt.  He was really impressed with how the horses started, but then coming around the top barrel, the team almost jack-knifed which in turn, slowed the forward motion down just a bit.  Otherwise he may have gotten the rail.  He posted a time of 1:19.20 good for 13th on the day and sitting 15th in the average.  Chance Flad rode Stadium holding the leaders and Rory throwing the stove with Air.

The Equine Animal, has been known to be an amazing therapy tool for many people.  We opened up our barn to allow the family to meet the horses, and just be, while they were with us.

Mom, Laurie got right in there helping wash and scrape the water off the horses after their usual bath once they’ve cooled down after their race.

There is always room for a little humor, and somehow, this yellow banana peel wound up hanging out in Laurie’s handbag.  Not quite sure how it got there, but I have a pretty good idea who may have put it there.  I think the guy wears a cowboy hat.

There is always time for a photo for making memories.  Our crew got together to get a shot by the Chuckwagon and tarp.

This photo of Scott, Laurie and Jordyn is precious.  Their family will never be the same, and it will take time to heal, grieve get through each day without the boy they once had.  Rick and I have never been so humbled.  This experience with the Thomas family is a treasure.  We have gained great friends who will remain in our lives for days to come.  We thank them for allowing us to be a part of their journey.

 

From The Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can’t explain how broken your heart is.