Howdy All!

The big day has arrived!  Friday, the first day of the 2018 Calgary Stampede.  We were slated to go into the parade today, and we were quite pleased that the weather man was predicting some very warm and wonderful weather.

Coy, Rick and I departed from the barns around 7:30 AM to head to the staging area.  Putting a parade together has to be no easy feat.  Lots of planning goes into it.  As the parade didn’t get underway until 9 AM, we had to drive the chuckwagon to the starting point.  We used 2 draft horses that were owned by our friend John Scott.  We wouldn’t think of using our thoroughbreds as they would be to high-strung for a parade walk.

As this is the second largest parade in North America, sitting second to the Rose Bowl parade (I think) I believe it is a very good one.  Calgary can also boast that it has the most equine animals involved in any parade around the world.

I Really enjoyed seeing all the natives dressed up in their attire.  It is so unique and colorful. The reason I am so attracted to it is because I have some Metis heritage in my family.

I was so amazed at how many people came out on a beautiful day to watch the parade.  The streets were lined wall to wall with folks wanting to catch a glimpse of all the floats, horses and bands.

While we were away, our farrier was busy in the barn.  Some well needed pedicures were needed for the ponies.  Leo was hard at work, making things just right.

We were seated into the seventh heat, on barrel 4.  Barrel one was Cody Ridsdale, barrel two was Obrey Motowylo, and barrel three was Logan Gorst.   Rick was ready to roll when the horn sounded.  He had Louie on the Left Lead, Nickle on the Right. Orchid on the Left Wheel and Spin on the Right.  Chanse Vigen rode Stadium holding the leaders and Mad Dog AKA (Ryan MacNeil)  threw the stove with Ice.  The crew didn’t start near as good as they have been starting.  But they got to running pretty good.  From what I could see the running was on the rail.

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Our good friends Norm and Bev are staying in the comfort of their own home to watch the races.  Immediately after Rick’s race they sent me these clips of the race.  I sure do appreciate them, as I don’t get to see the race at the best spot behind the chutes.

We placed ninth on the day, which with all things considered, it was a very good run.  With 10 days of running, the key is to be clean and steady, at a good pace.  The aim is to make the top eight, then the top four, then to climb onto the stage for a big presentation.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Never stop doing the little things for others.  Sometimes the little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.

 

Howdy All!

With only days until the start of the 2018 Calgary Stampede, and the finish of the Ponoka Stampede on Monday, there really isn’t much time to rest.  Our scheduled arrival time to arrive in Calgary was slotted for 8 PM on Tuesday evening.  We had the day all planned out with the packing of our unit.  Well, I think I have mentioned this before.  Not all things go according to plan.  When the crew went to fold up the barn/liner on wheels, it was noted that there were several hinges that needed some major welding work.  The weld shop was called and we had 2 welders come out and begin their trade on the barn.  From 3pm until almost 9pm they worked their magic.  We were very appreciative of the work they did.  Once complete, the horses were loaded and southward bound was Rick Fraser  and “Team 23”.

We were several hours behind schedule departing at 10 pm and and arriving at midnight.  The good thing was that we were not fighting traffic, and the Stampede grounds were quiet.  It was a safe trip, with a setup of a few hours.  We finally crawled into bed by close to 4 AM.

We delayed chores start time until 9 AM on Wednesday. We needed the rest.  Needless to say, the last two days have been busy with chores and setting up our shed-row on the Stampede grounds.

Once we arrive on the grounds and things are a bit settled, we had to wheel the chuckwagon to be weighed and inspected.  Did you know the weight of the chuckwagon has to be 1325lb’s with the drive included?  Rick was just over by about 40lbs.  Not to bad, but could be better.

Once we return each year to the Calgary Stampede and see all the folks that donate their time to help out in the chuckwagon committee area of the Calgary Stampede, I am amazed at all the wonderful people.  I always say the world is ran by volunteers.  More people need to appreciate them and what they do.

 

During chore time, we have to walk the horses for exercise, while their stalls are getting cleaned out and fresh bedding put back in.  We have brought our daughter Kaylee’s horse here to ride, while we take two horses to walk alongside.  Rick really loves riding, rather than cleaning the stalls.  I must admit…………..I like riding too!

After today, I can sure feel the excitement rising for the first day of Stampede.  Every Chuckwagon driver has arrived and are getting settled in.  The parade is tomorrow and Rick and I will be in it with our Chuckwagon and a team of horses from John Scott.  It will sure be different as it has been a long time since we attended one.

Well I best be getting to bed as morning comes early.  Big day with the start of Stampede 2018!  YEEHAA!

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands – one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.  Audrey Hepburn

 

 

Howdy All!

Wow!!!  The 2018 Ponoka Stampede has come to an end.  What a busy time it has been this past week.  We made many great memories that we will cherish forever.

I’d like to congratulate Vern Nolin and Lisa Bensmiller on an amazing Stampede.  They made 6 great runs to capture the title of the 2018 Ponoka Stampede Champions.  Good for them.  This is a well deserved win.  They are a strong team that works together to accomplish many great things.

Today was an exciting day for our Family and “Team 23”.  We were donning the Kendal Pipelines tarp one last time on the WPCA tour for our final run.  You see, we had been fortunate to carry this tarp for 7 years back in the 2000’s.  I still remember the day when we got together with Ken Drysdale, the owner and he told Rick and I that he would like to partner up with us.  Rick was so excited, he was like a kid in a candy store with so much excitement of gaining sponsor.  Little did we know this friendship/business partnership would last so long.

My job has always been to tend to the outriding horses.  Over the week, Candice, Kaylee and Ellie have been giving me a hand bringing the horses to the infield.  It takes many hands to make the operation run smoothly.

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I have so may photos that I would love to share, but I had to pick and choose those that would speak the story.  On the three barrel, Rick hooked Orchid and Spin on the Wheel and Louie and Nickle were the Leaders.  Rick and “Team 23”  had a very impressive run.  They didn’t start the hardest, but they shot out there alongside the other competitors.

When the four wagons rounded the fourth turn, the burners seemed to come on.  The horses shifted gears and continued toward the finish line like a bat out of hell!  Boy did that team run.  It was so very impressive.

Ken and Rick, through this sponsorship have become very goo friends because of this chuckwagon  Venture. And I know that they will continue for many years to come.

Through the many miles we’ve traveled, we have met so many great people.  And plenty of them have become friends.  Dave and Darcy are just that. It was great to get a photo with the two of them and their rides.

I had the pleasure today of tossing the mini Chuckwagon to this young gal.  She was most excited to have her photo taken with it.  Over the years that we have given these away, it warms our hearts that we have touched someone with a gift and are truly grateful for this.

Our crew, Kim (Kiwi Kim) Rick calls her, and David also known as “Ben” have been amazing barn hands for us since April.  They came in know nothing really about our Chuckwagon Journey.  Yet it didn’t’ take them long to catch on.  A huge shout out to them for all the work they do.

After our race, we made our pass in front of the grandstand one last time here in Ponoka as we have many friends, family and fans in the area.   It has been very rewarding coming here and racing in front of them.

Before I close off, I need to share this little story.  After we got the horses back to the barn, Rick and I came back up to sign a few posters for some of the crowd.  The first place he went to was this couple, Larry Bull and his wife.  As we were chatting, she told us that when we did our gratitude pass in the infield, four eagles flew overhead.  How cool is that?  I take that as a sign that Grandpa Tom and Grandmaee Joy Dorchester, Rick’s Dad Dave Lewis and also his Uncle Dallas were looking from above.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.   Melody Beattie

 

Howdy All!

As I sit down to write this story, I can hear the raindrops falling on the metal of our home on wheels.  Someone said it was only to last until 3 AM. I sure hope so.  We don’t need any more moisture .  It just  makes for a whole lot more work.

Tonight Rick hooked Spin on the Right Wheel, Orchid (the new horse) on the Left Wheel, Nickel on the Right Lead, and Louie on the Left Lead.  Chance Flad rode Stadium and Quiad rode Air.  Well when the horn sounded, they started as usual, but they really didn’t rock out of there until they headed onto the track.  Then the burners came on.  Rick stole the rail and boy did he fly. It was impressive it was so good to watch.  Rick’s running time was 1:15.21 good enough for second on the day for Direct Horizontal Drilling. Very Very Good!

On the Homestretch

We are so very happy how the horses are performing.

We enjoyed seeing our good friends Jim and Jo this evening.  It didn’t take long for Jim to dig in and help.

When Amy was at the races, she spotted this little guy with a sign for Rick.  How cool is that?  A lot of hard work went into making it and we sure do appreciate it!  Someone like this would totally deserve a mini chuckwagon.

I better get to bed as I ‘m having a very hard time keeping my mind straight as to what to write in my blog.  So if it doens’t make sense, you’ll know why!

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S. You’ll be exactly as happy as you decide to be!

Howdy All!

I must confess.  I slept in this morning till near 8 AM.  I think the crew was kind of wondering if I’d show. I know I won’t get fired because they would have to find another cook. And heck, Rick sure wouldn’t want to take on the job.  He does however make a mean toast, egg and avocado breakfast, then can make a big bowl of popcorn for supper.  That I’ll give him.

Today was a great day!  Probably the best day in the whole summer on the trail.  This is the day of the special needs rodeo that Rick and I, and many of the other fellow drivers attend to volunteer to go along side a child for a couple hours.  It is a very humbling day.

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This rodeo all began because of a girl named Skylar.  Nineteen years ago they started having this rodeo.  The first time Rick and I went to volunteer, we were Skylar’s partner.  Well since then she has grown into a fun young lady.  She loves the rodeo and chuckwagons.  I’ve seen so many changes in her from year to year.  Partaking in this rodeo is so very humbling.  Of all the things I will miss from going down the road, it will be this little rodeo at the Ponoka Stampede.

As owning any kind of animal, it needs so much proper care and attention.  With horses, their legs are very important. Kaylee our daughter pitched in tonight helping put some wraps on some of the horses in the barn.  This is very important to keep our ponies sound.

Off the two barrel tonight, the horses worked tremendously and hit the track flying.  Rick said this turn was the best one he’s done in a long time.  He had Bacardi on the Left Wheel, Jim on the Right Wheel.  Spirit on the Left Lead, and Ranger on the Right.  Quaid Tournier held the leaders with Ed and Chance Flad threw the stove with Andy.  All went well and the team posted a 1:17.95 which was good enough for 4th on the Day.

After the races, our relatives, the Overacker family came back to the barns.  With them they had a few “Rick” faces.  Oh What Fun!!!  And they’ve had a lot of gigles with these everywhere they’ve gone.    This group shot is sort of like finding Waldo. Don’t you think?

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Sometimes you need people around you who make you remember why it’s all fun and games and that life isn’t so serious after all.”