Chuckwagon Races at Calgary Stampede
Alberta Brings the Entertainment to Cowboys, Locals and Visitors
Aug 6, 2008
The famous Calgary Stampede runs every July in Calgary, Alberta. Cowboys come from all over the world for the chance win huge prize money and compete in the many rodeo events. One of the most exciting, and visually stimulating, events is the Chuckwagon Races.
History of the Chuckwagon Races
The Chuckwagon Races were publicly started in 1923, 11 years after the first Calgary Stampede. Cowboys carried their provisions in these wagons as they rode through the prairies. What became a necessity for them to get to the next camp quickly to set up their supplies, has been revised for modern times and is now a popular event in the Calgary Stampede.
The first race was won in 1923 by Bill Summers from the Yukon, who won $25 and a hat; the total purse that year was $275. This year, the drivers are running for just over $1.1 million in total prize money.
Chuckwagon Races Today
Every evening during Stampede sees nine heats of four wagons in each race. Four “outriders” accompany each wagon to steady the lead team, hold their harness, and throw the “stove” and tent poles into the back. Throwing in the “stove” and tent poles represents throwing in the actual supplies for their camp as they raced off, but today are no more than rubber replicas and Plexiglas poles.
“So at the sound of the horn, the team of horses starts to run, the three outriders have to throw the tent poles and the 'stove' into the back of the wagon, all while these thoroughbreds are pulling this wagon away from them,” explains Graham Moon of the Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Committee.
“Meanwhile, these outriders are still hanging onto their own horse with the other hand and as that horn goes, once they throw their 'stove' and tent poles into the back of the wagon, they too have to mount on their horse and [go].” The whole race is over in about 1 min and 15 seconds, so imagine the mayhem!
Troy Flad, Chuckwagon Driver
Behind the scenes is a calmer story. Troy Flad and his family were happy to have a few writers 'backstage' before one of the races. Decorated with real trees and flowers, with the horse’s names on every stall door, the atmosphere was created for the horses to feel a bit more at home.
“Every driver kind of has his own theory,” says Shannon Flad, Troy’s wife. “Some drivers don’t want anybody in their barn, they want their horses to have that quiet time. Me and Troy believe the complete opposite. We believe that the animals are kind of like us, they need to be socialized.”
After five previous shows on the road since May and seven more to go, the Flad’s are still in high spirits. They say that the Calgary Stampede is like their Indy 500.
“This is the one that helps us immensely to get up and down the road because there’s so much money up here,” explains Troy. “The Calgary Stampede is out biggest show, there’s nothing like it… All the other shows put together do not make what we make in 10 days here.
“Any of the cowboys, there’s no other place that they want to be. Because there’s a lot of prestigious awards to be won here, and a lot of legendary cowboys and heroes that have been up on that stage.”
And with that, theyyy’rrrre offff…
The Chuckwagon Races happen every evening before the grandstand show. Contact Travel Alberta (1-800-ALBERTA) for accommodation, travel and transportation assistance and visit the Calgary Stampede website for updated dates and information.
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