Calgary Stampede Wrap-up

July 15, 2015July 24, 2015 / suefraser / 4 Comments

I promised to write a final full wrap-up of Stampede. It was just way too late when we got in from congratulating the new 2015 winners and enjoying the company of Team 23’s Stampede participation. Monday was out of the question, as it was a packing, traveling and sleep day. Now that we are home and it’s Tuesday, I found a few minutes to write.

So we celebrated our youngest child’s birthday. Cody turned 24 on Sunday. WOW!!! I will forever remember the day he was born, as he came a month premature. Cody was born only a few days after Grandpa Tommy Dorchester’s passing. He’s become a gentle giant at 6’5. He is just a bit big to sit on our knees anymore but we love to have him around just the same. He’s been a huge help in the box training horses with Rick. He’s going to be a great driver himself one day.

Being at the Calgary Stampede, we always have folks drop by that we rarely see. Kim Nevada swung by for a hug and photo with Ricky. She’s beautiful inside and out and hasn’t changed a bit over the years. Her husband Jimmy used to outride with Rick and also drove a chuckwagon too. Another family, Alden and Natasha Harms, stopped by. What a surprise. Alden went to school with our kids but is just a few years older. My, how the years go by. Great to see them and their family.

Rick’s looking for a new job in the fall so he thought he would try his hand at filming. Not sure how that went for him. There was no job offer after. He’ll keep looking.

We were very excited with our hook on Day 10 of the Stampede. Rick had Spirit on the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right Lead, Law on the Left Wheel and Keenan on the Right Wheel. Our outriders were Cole on Leaders riding Bingo and Rory throwing stove with Trixter.

Coming into barrel 1, I was nervous if they would stand with Keenan being a new horse and this would be his second race. They didn’t have to wait long and the horn blew. Off they went, Rick did a great job turning the figure 8 and they were gone! What a superb race, almost clinching a day money run, but we came in second on the day. We’ll take that! We were first in our heat by quite a bit. What a great way to finish off the Stampede and even better in front of our sponsors, Northwell Oilfield Hauling. A huge thank you to them for all their support. We couldn’t do it without them.

Rick and I and Team 23 made an emergency exit out of the Stampede grounds on Monday morning.

We’re going incognito for a week to curl up and sleep some hours away during our few days off before we head to Bonnyville.

In between my naps, I am tending to the laundry and the garden. It’s pretty dry here so not many weeds and the grass is rather brown.

I must say, all in all, we enjoyed our 2015 Stampede. Team 23 was exceptional with all their work with the horses and all the barn chores. Couldn’t ask for anything better than that. This chick’s happy. Thanks to all of you for following along. Bonnyville is our next tour stop, beginning Thursday, July 23. I may blog a time or two before the show starts. Until then, howdy ho!

Someday everything will make sense. So, for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.

Calgary: Night Ten (July 12)

July 13, 2015July 13, 2015 / suefraser / 4 Comments

This is going to be short and sweet as we are headed home tomorrow, and it’s 1:33am and I have to get up tomorrow at 7am just in time to pack the rest of our belongings.

Congratulations to Kurt and Ashley Bensmiller on winning the $100,000 dash for cash for the second year in a row. Every chuckwagon driver’s dream.

Cody, our son, had his 24th birthday today so we enjoyed some cake along with our supper and we even sang.

Rick and I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Northwell Oilfield Hauling and to his crews. It takes many.

I will write again in a day or two. Looking forward to my bed at home.

Sometimes walking away has nothing to do with weakness, and everything to do with strength. We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we finally realize our own.

Calgary: Night Four (July 6)

July 7, 2015 / suefraser / 1 Comment

Up and at it earlier this morning. At 5:15am the alarm sounded. I normally don’t need to wake to an alarm but as the days go by at this time of year my body gets more exhausted. So I don’t take the chance to expect to wake up on my own.

We decided to utilize the morning track time, 5am to 8am, to exercise an outfit. But we had a special guest come join us. Cody, our son, was the driver this morning, Chris, our son-in-law, was the helper and Kelly VanderBeek, retired Canadian alpine skier, came along for the ride. The faster the better, she said. Kelly enjoyed every minute of it.

After the ride, she also got to walk some hot horses to cool them out. Then she interviewed Cody about life in the chuckwagon world.

After all the excitement of the practice run, Team 23 got to work doing the barn chores. It was our turn to make breakfast, so I was it. Sausages, scrambled eggs, leftover fried mashed potatoes and toasted grilled buns.

I had to get at it, as Rick and I had a date, along with a few other drivers and trick rider Payton Bensmiller, to visit some kids at the Alberta Children’s Hospital at 10am.

Rick and I have been arranging this for many years now, and it touches our hearts. There are so many stories to be told there, and if we can just bring a little bit of sunshine to some of the little ones’ world, for even a moment, it’s made our day. And I must say, it’s very humbling to enter into those rooms. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.

A huge thanks to Sandy, a worker at the hospital, who makes this happen for us year after year.

On our return from the hospital, we knew it was time to get some rest. Rick and I both headed to the trailer to get a couple of hours of R & R in. It felt soooooo good.

Race time came fast. I had a few thing to do up in the trailer, so I didn’t get down to the barns until 5. I needn’t have worried, as Team 23 had everything under control.

Our hook tonight was Speedy on the Left Lead, Nickle on the Right Lead, Sneakers on the Left Wheel and Law on the Right Wheel, coming off the 3 barrel. Cole and Dustin rode Ace and Andy.

Prior to our race, the dark clouds hovered over and brought some wind and rain. Who would have guessed? Up until then, it was the calmest, nicest evening. So the track conditions got heavier for our heat. When the horn blew, the outfit started and charged. Barrel 2 outfit’s outrider somehow almost ended up in our lead team. Thank goodness, he managed to get out of the way. And away we went.

We had a great turn despite that start and had the best performance out of our horses yet. Rick was very happy how they performed. The kicker was we had two late outriders. Not their fault, they just couldn’t get around the Ray Mitsuing outfit. He held them out three wide. Very disappointing.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day and another redraw. We still have a chance to make it into the top eight by Friday. We just have to run hard, fast and clean.

A loving heart is the truest wisdom.

Ponoka: Night Four (June 29)

June 30, 2015 / suefraser / 1 Comment

As I rolled over and opened my eyes this morning, I realized I was the only one in bed. Rick had gotten up and headed the barn and I didn’t even hear him. This is quite unusual for me, not to wake up when he does. I must have been tired.

I jumped up and got the percolator going while I got ready for the day. It was just after 7 when I got to the barn. My hubby said he didn’t think I was coming. He had decided we were hooking two outfits but unfortunately I didn’t get the memo the night before. At any rate, I arrived just in time to help with the first hook and then the second one too.

It was a bit soggy out this morning, as it had decided to rain on our parade. Enough so that it settled all the dust around the area.

I decided to send Rick and the girls to have breakfast over at the legion. I said I would stay back and wait for our bale of straw to be delivered. Well, the straw arrived and then so did my friends, Bev and Norm Little. We sat shootin’ the breeze in front of the barn and enjoyed a cup of coffee too. They had lots of stories to tell of days gone by, which made for some pretty good laughs.

A couple of gentlemen stopped by to meet us. The one fella phoned us up this past winter and asked about obtaining one of our mini chuckwagons. I told him to come by when we were in his area. Well, he did, we chatted and I asked him what the reasoning was for the little chuckwagon. Back home in their small town of Killam, there are a group of eight guys who meet at the local coffee shop in the mornings. They are all avid followers of…you guessed it…the WPCA chuckwagon races. So these guys do up a draft just like in the NHL. They all have a pool of four wagon drivers and collect points throughout the season. And this year they are awarding the winner with a trophy. It will be our mini chuckwagon mounted on a base of some sort. How cool is that?

Tonight we also met another HUGE fan of ours. His name is Richard Zeluf. Last year we gave him one of our Team 23 hats. According to his daughter-in-law Janine, his hat is one of his prized possessions. Tonight we surprised him with a mini chuckwagon to take back home with him. The look on his face was priceless. “Is this for me?” he said as Rick handed it to him. He was in disbelief. He is very excited to show the boys during tomorrow morning’s coffee.

I trucked on over to get a few horse supplies at McFeeds today, then decided it was time to get the laundry done before we head to Calgary in a couple of days. I think others had the same idea, as it was pretty busy in there. But with so many machines it really doesn’t take too long to get things done.

Back at the trailer with the clean clothes and such, I thought I’d better tidy up and prepare the supper for the crew. A big pot of chili sounded good, as it was much cooler out today with the rains that came down.

During chore time this afternoon, our son Cody took advantage of the girls and made them pull just a little bit harder while he took a break.

The kids are great to have around, as they are all pretty good sports and love to have a good time.

Rick decided to hook Spirit on Left Lead, Ranger on Right Lead, Vegas on Left Wheel and Zorba on the Right Wheel. Cole rode Beau and Dustin threw stove with Trixter for his ride.

Just as Rick got stopped and ready, the horses moved forward just a bit. Not sure which horse caused it, but Rick pulled back and he was good enough to not be ahead of the barrel, thank goodness.

When the horn finally went, one of the horses reared up a bit, then away they went, around the bottom barrel and onto the track to pull and follow Kelly Sutherland. Not sure if this helped us or not, as I think the running was two wide and not on the rail. We posted a 1:19.60 for 23rd on the day. Unfortunately our running time was not good enough to keep us in the top eight for the redraw tomorrow. So in other words, we will not have the chance to compete for the final dash of $50,000.

On another note, we have been very consistent and we are ready for the Calgary Stampede.

Tonight we met a young fan, Kaden, right from our hometown Wetaskiwn. Kaden, his sister and his dad came out to see the chuckwagon races. They knew that when Rick is finished the race he hands out a mini chuckwagon. So Kaden’s dad told the sister to go to one end of the stands and for Kaden to go to the other end. He thought this might give them a good chance in receiving the mini wagon. Well, his dad must be pretty smart because it worked. Kaden got the wagon. He was one proud young fella.

The next two days are going to be busier than normal. It will be time to start packing up, picking up and dropping off things at home before we head to Calgary on Wednesday. I hope I get my list figured out so I don’t forget anything that I might need when we are there. It’s getting pretty exciting as the Big Show, the Calgary Stampede, begins in only four short days. So hard to believe.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.

Saskatoon: Night Three (June 6)

June 7, 2015June 15, 2015 / suefraser / Leave a comment

What a beautiful morning it was. The quietness at 6am is breathtaking. Not many bodies are up and at it. The horses whinny as Rick enters the barn to feed them their morning oats and then they are satisfied. I sat out and had a cup of java with Rick and visited with Chad Harden’s dad. Just shootin’ the breeze.

Mornings are my favourite time of the day. I think I’ve relayed that a few times before. In the quietness, it makes me feel so grateful for all that I’ve been given and for all that is around me. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful husband, three awesome adult kids and one GREAT grandkid.

This morning we were elated when two young ladies came to help with the barn chores. We met them the night before when one of their daughters was the lucky recipient of our little chuckwagon we hand out. So in chatting at our barn Rick said to Stephanie, who was visiting a chuckwagon race for the first time, “We’ll see you at 7am to help out with the morning chores.” Stephanie replied, “Do I meet you right here?” “You bet!” Rick replied, not thinking she would show.

Ricky was wrong! Stephanie and her sidekick showed up right at 7am, with Timmies coffee and doughnuts in hand, ready to be put to work. And work they did. One grabbed a pitchfork and the other the hose to fill the buckets up with fresh water. Stephanie, not ever having this kind of opportunity to get up close and personal with thoroughbred horses, was elated. What therapy this was for her. You see, Stephanie had a story to tell, unbeknownst to us.

Once chores were completed, we sat and enjoyed the warm sunshine and watched the horses stretch and play in their pens. In chatting, Stephanie shared a little of her current life with us. She had just returned from Germany, and her fiancé Cody is coming home from there today. Cody has cancer, at the young age of 26. He had chemo treatments here at home in Canada but then went abroad to Germany for more treatment. My heart was hurting for Stephanie and her situation. She sounded so strong, telling her story. At some point they were told he might only have three months to live. One really never knows anyone’s point of passing. But Stephanie came out, and was so thankful to come and join us in our morning duties with the horses. In her words, this was therapy. Cody was happy to hear that she was doing what she was. In the big picture of all things, chuckwagon racing means nothing, absolutely nothing, when you hear stories such as these. Keeping Stephanie and Cody in my prayers.

Another great night of racing, but it was threatened by some rain in the late afternoon. The dark clouds burst out in raindrops a couple of times but then the wind blew the clouds away to bring more warmth and sunshine for the chuckwagons to begin at 7:15. Rick hooked the good ol’ boys—Speedy on Left Lead, Nickle on Right Lead, Sneekers and Left Wheel and Law on Right Wheel—with outriding horses Ace and Andy being ridden by Chanse and Dustin. Coming off barrel 3, Ricky came out alongside Kelly off of 1. Chad was not far behind, with Rae Croteau bringing up the rear. When the dust settled and the race was finished, Kelly crossed the finish line first, with Ricky second, posting a 1:18.55. That’s good enough for a 10th on the day, and our aggregate standing is a respectable eighth place for the meet.

When Cody, our son, jumps in after the race he drives the outfit back to the barns. Rick grabs the little mini chuckwagon to give to a fan, and tonight the cutest little fella got to take it home. Gotta love those kids.

After we get back to the barns, the chores are all done and the horses are tucked in for the night, it’s time to head to the Harden camp to watch the evening races, which Dori has taped. We all give our critiquing opinions, eat a bowlful of popcorn and then head to our bed for some much needed rest.

Onward and upward to another day tomorrow. Time to hit the pillow.

Yesterday is but a dream. Tomorrow, a vision of hope. Look to this day for it is life.

The Travelin Trailer

Thoughts from the Voice Within

Cody Fraser

Calgary Stampede Wrap-up

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Calgary: Night Four (July 6)

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Ponoka: Night Four (June 29)

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Saskatoon: Night Three (June 6)

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