Howdy All

We made our way down south to the city of Medicine Hat on Monday.  It was a beautiful sunny day for driving, however the wind was blowing pretty good.  We made good time, arriving at 2 PM, but made a stop at the local bulk station to fuel up the big trucks so we won’t have to do it when we go to leave.

Before we arrived, our friends Rodger and Gina had filled all the gopher and badger holes for us, as we didn’t want one of the horses to trip up in one.  That was such a big help and a time saver, so the horses didn’t have to wait to long to get unloaded.

As we have met so many great people over the years, many have remained good friends with whom we enjoy getting together with fairly often.

Gina, was all over making supper for us last night.  I was so happy with this invite, as I then didn’t have to cook.  I got the evening off and enjoyed, rotisserie chicken, green beans, salad and homemade pie.  It was delicious to say the least.

One of the many things drivers do, is go out into the community to sign posters and this week is no different.  There is a Wednesday and Saturday Market right here on the grounds.  So Rick didn’t have far to go to spread the word that the races were on.

We normally give the horses a days rest after travelling, so Wednesday we hooked one outfit in the morning to go for a run.  Kim, our hired barn hand, went for her first fast ride.  She did very well going around the barrels and onto the track.

Louie the grey seems to be the favorite when company comes around, but in the pen he’s hard up for friends.  Did you know grey horses carry a different kind of odor?  When you wash a grey horse, or it sweats,it tends to smell like wet chicken feathers.  That might sound silly, but it really is true.  This may be why they don’t buddy up with any other horses.  It’s a pretty good possibility.

All day the wind blew really hard, but it didn’t stop the chores from happening and the races continued on as planned.  As this is a smaller track and infield here, the heats only have 3 chuckwagons competing at a time. So there are 12 heats in all.

Rick decided to hook Orchid on the Left Lead, Speedy on the Right.  Club on the Left Wheel and Bacardi on the Right.  We were hooked with Luke Tournier on one barrel, Rick on two, and Chad Harden on three.  The horn sounded and they were off.  Our outfit didn’t have the prettiest start but Rick got them around the barrels nonetheless.  They ran hard to place 12 on the day.  Fairly happy with that, as the track gets deeper as the heats go on.  Chance Flad and Rory Jervais rode Stadium and Air, all doing  a superb job.

We were very excited to be carrying the tarp Stringham LLP, a lawyer company in the area.  Many employees had come out tonight to watch the races, and boy were they excited when we had them come back to the barns to meet the horses.  Some even got to get up personally to show them some lovin.

We often take what we do for granted, but its these kind folks that make it so much more exciting, because you get to show them around, and give them a little bit chuckwagon history.

This gal was excited and surprised when she was given the mini little chuckwagon from our camp.  It’s just a little token that Rick and I give away

They always seem to say, if you will talk, somebody will be there to listen.  These two young fellas seem to be gettin it right.  Good on them.

From the Travelin Trailer

From Sue, with Rick and Team 23

 

P.S.  A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.  Doulgas Pagels

 

 

 

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.

Howdy All!

Well, first things first.  Rick had to make sure to get his stove put into the stove rack this morning, so there was a whole less  chance of having a stove not loaded in the second day of racing here at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.  And he made sure he had proof that all was done.

When you have horses, they have to be cared for similar to a person to keep them sound and in good health to have them perform well in the discipline that they are in.  One of the things that we are adamant about is, that they are kept up with their dental work.  As a horses teeth are continually growing, they then need to be floated.  Or another term is filed down.

Our friend, and retired Chuckwagon Driver, Leo Tournier is an Equine Dentist.  Leo studied this trade south of the border and enjoys his new-found job.  It really is amazing how much of a change for a horse is after they have visited the dentist.

Our friend, Chantelle whom we met 3 years ago here in Saskatoon, all because her daughter caught a mini Chuckwagon after a race, visits us every year since.  We have become friends with Chantelle and her daughters.  They come bearing gifts.  One of the most delicious squares and a couple of dips for crackers.  Oh……..My……….Goodness!  It was all so good, that I didn’t want to share.  Thank you Chantelle.  You’re the Best!

Today, Rick and I met a very special lady.  By chance? By choice?  No, I like to think, it was just meant to be.  Laurie, Mom of the late Evan Thomas of the Humboldt Bus accident and her dear friend Dianlle came by before the races to meet us, as we are recognizing her son Evan on our tarp during the four days of racing here at Prairieland Park on the second stop on our Chuckwagon Tour.

Through a friend of a friend, this idea was formed.  We did not know this family whatsoever befpre/   But when the idea came, for us to move forth, everything fell together, just as if it was all planned out in the beginning.  Today, as Laurie and I approached the tarp on our chuckwagon, for her to see for the very first time, we cried.  We cried and we hugged and we hugged and we cried.  Because thats what moms do. From one mom to another, we cried.  We know we cannot fix the pain, or bring Evan back, but we can recognize this amazing young man for what he stood for when he was here on earth.

Just as when Rick races by, things happen so fast and can always be such a blur.  And I know for a fact this fine family, Scott, Laurie and sister Jordyn feel that life right now as so much,  is just a blur.

This chuckwagon life just doesn’t matter so much anymore.  When things such as this come into our lives, theres a matter of perspective that overrides everything to a much higher degree.

As each race comes to an end, a little chuckwagon finds a new home.

This happy lady was more than excited.  When our friend Dori, handed it to her from Rick, a gentleman approached her and said that Dori broke her heart!  Dori apologized and hoped for the best.  The man said “No, its okay because it is a good break.”  This gentleman seen Dori pass the mini wagon to the lady in the wheelchair and he just had to share.  He said, “I seen who got the wagon, my son too was in a wheelchair, and he just passed on as well.” So so Powerful!

Writing these stats, just seems so trivial.  But life does go on, one day at a time.

The hook tonight was Speedy on the Right Lead, Orchid on the Left.  Club on the Left Wheel and Barcardi on the Right.  Chance Flad rode Ed holding the leaders and Rory throwing the stove.  Yes the stove got loaded and the riders made it on time.  Our time was a 1:19.28 and was 20th on the day.

 

From The Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things.

Howdy All!

It has been a busy week thus far.  When we departed out of Grande Prairie on Monday morning, it had rained all night long Sunday evening, settling the dust for sure but in turn it made the ground fairly muddy to pack up in .  We got away around 11 AM arriving back home on the Ranch by 7 PM.  It was nice to be home, see the nice green grass and the lilacs in bloom on the trees.

We were home long enough to let the horses have a good run in the pasture and enjoy the lush green grass.  I quickly got the 4 loads of laundry going as I refrained from utilizing a laundry mat in Grande Prairie.  It didn’t take long to have a nice warm shower and hit the hay.

Tuesday morning came fast, and we were on the road again.  With a refill of oats, hay and groceries, our estimated arrival time in the city of Saskatoon Saskatchewan was 4:30 or 5 PM.   The drive was as smooth as clear waters and we landed at the estimated time that we said.  Rick and I enjoyed just a little bit of home in our trucks.  There is no smell like the lilacs when they come out in full bloom.  They may not last more than a day, but boy they sure to smell good.  As I have always said, it is just a little bit of home that we can bring with us on the road.

While in Saskatoon, we decided to do something just a little bit different with our sponsorship.  We contacted Scott and Laurie about honoring their late son Evan Thomas of the Humboldt Broncos, who’s young life was taken in the tragic bus accident a couple of months ago. We had never met these folks before, but had been given their name through a friend of a friend.  When we told them what we wanted to do, they were pretty excited and said yes to the whole idea.  Scott and his daughter Jordyn were able to come out the day before the races and meet up with us and  meet some of the horses.

 

One of their favorites was Louie the Grey.  And Louie was taking all the lovin he could get as he is just that kind of a horse.  Unknown really to the sport of Chuckwagon Racing, Scott and his daughter Jordyn were loving every minute of this new experience.

Jordyn especially like it as she came by right after school to help shovel the manure, fill the feed buckets and top up the waters.  Evans dad Scott, reminisced how Evan was the kind of young fella, that never cared for much recognition.  That he was a team player, and that he enjoyed more just being with the guys than the game of hockey itself.  We’re looking forward to the next three days, to have the Thomas family join us in enjoying what we do, in a full days work on this dusty o”l trail we call Chuckwagon Racing.

Tonight, Rick was off the two barrel in the seventh heat.  He decided to hook a couple of new horses in the line up, that Cody had drove a few times.  He warned his dad that the left wheeler, Harlington Club was a good one and was a bit hard to hold.  Well, Rick said after the race that Cody meant what he said.  Rick was pretty excited with how he performed, along with the others as well.  He had a newby, Orchid on the Left Lead, good old Speedy on the Right.  Harlington Club on the Left Wheel and Bacardi on the Right.  Chance Flad held leaders with Ed, and Rory Jervais threw the stove with Air.   He had a pretty speedy time, placing fourth on the day.  But…………………………………………………….

A little minor whoops kind of happened.  As Rick pulled into the barrels, our outrider throwing the stove,  calls to Rick “Hey, where’s your stove?”  All Rick could do was chuckle, as the stove was still in the liner tucked away safely in the storage area where we loaded it just before leaving Grande Prairie.  A minor 2 second penalty was assessed, which then brought us down to 23rd.  Tomorrow is a new day, and we will just have to suck it up and move on.  The positive about the race itself, was that was our 3rd string outfit ran so very hard and they proved themselves to be more.

With any sport comes judges.  Third turn judge is retired veteran Reg Johnstone formerly from the little town of Bashaw.  His sidekick is Connor Dorchester, son of Troy, cousin of Rick.  He videos the races for the judges to review.

As the evening comes to a close, the horses are all put to rest, the camps are quiet with not a sound to be had, I reflect on my day and realize just how fortunate I am.  My life is not free from the many ups and the downs.  Yet it is all put into perspective when we have met the Thomas family and their young son is gone.  So hold on tight to your loved ones and make everyday count.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  If I were to die tomorrow, what would you say to me today?