Calgary Sponsors- Part 2

Last week we took the time to thank our first 3 tarp sponsors for the Calgary Stampede. We wanted to make sure to recognize the remaining tarp sponsors that we had for the 10 days of Stampede.

Superior Propane

NBC Technologies Inc.

Olympic Trust Company

Celtic Exploration Ltd.

Again without the support of our sponsors the season would not be possible.

2010 Calgary Sponsorship

This year at Calgary, we are honored to have a few different sponsors over the 10 days. So far we have ran tarps with 3 of the sponsors on there.

We really do have to say a huge thank-you to all of our sponsors over the season. If it was not for you it really would not be possible to do this every week.

Our sponsors at Calgary so far have been:

Canadian Tubular Services Inc.

Spool Transport Ltd.

Strate-Line Inspection Ltd.

Women's Day 2010

Each year the Chuckwagon women put on a day just for the women within the sport. Sponsors, friends, family, supporters and wagon wives all gather for an afternoon of fun and to raise some money in support of the communities we visit throughout the year.

The money raised is divided up into the different communities and given to women's charities in those towns. This year the money will be going to some after school programs, women shelters and a few other programs. It is something small that we can do to give back to the communities that give so much to us over the summer months.

We had a great turnout again this year. There were some great prizes, and items to take home. This year there was also an Amazing Race game planned. Needless to say our group is a little competitive, and we did fairly well. We did get knocked out on a counting error, but we will be back to claim the prize next year.

Thank-you for everyone that came out, and the support and generous donations from the day. We can't wait to do it all again next year!

On the Road Again

Well we have packed up from Ponoka and headed on to downtown Calgary!

Ponoka was an interesting show for us. It is great to see all of our friends from back home, and be able to stay in one place for a few days.

I say that it is an interesting show because it is the first show where we use 4 outriders. At most of the shows we use 2 outriders, and only have 3 wagons on the track. However, at Ponoka, and Calgary we use 4 outriders and have 4 wagons on the track.

This causes a lot more action on the track. There are more bodies, more horses, and more equipment to worry about. We also run into the issue of being short outriders. There are less and less guys who are taking part in this area of the sport, so it is hard to find good riders when they are high in demand.

We also lost one of our best horses at Ponoka. Jack, our best right leader had a heart attack after the races on Saturday night. We will always remember him and he will have a place in our heart and barn for rest of the season.

We are now headed into Calgary. We will be there for nearly 2 weeks. It is always a busy show as we take the most amount of horses here and so there is always lots more work to do. However, it sure is a rush driving infront of a grandstand like that!

Safe travels to everyone who is headed into Calgary, and thanks again to all our old and new friends that stopped by in Ponoka!

Ponoka Stampede

Well after a few weeks in the south, we are back in Central Alberta for the Ponoka Stampede.

Ponoka is a great show for us. It is close to home so all of our friends and neighbors come out. We get to race in front of a huge crowd each night, and its a great lead up into Calgary.

We are hoping that this show we can stay out of penalty trouble. High River gave us enough for the season! Let us know if you are coming out to Ponoka, we would love to have you back to the barn for a drink after the races!

Don't forget about the Woman's Day July 1st. There are still tickets available if you are interested. It is a really fun day for the Women and to get to meet the people behind us drivers.

Family Time

The last couple of weeks we have had some downtime with the Drumheller races getting postponed because of all the rain we have been getting.

Family is a huge thing for us. Shannon has a large family, and a close knit one at that. They are always there to held a hand when needed, or just be there to support us along the way.

While we were down south waiting we stopped in at Shannon's Aunt and Uncles for a few days. The horses loved to get out and run on some green grass, and we were happy to muck out less stalls!

Now it is time to get back to racing! We are hoping for good things in High River. It is a great show for us as it is all about family!

Chuck and Lorraine our great hosts for a few days!

Aunt Bett and Shannon having some fun down at the Highwood River

Troy, Tim, and Brett

Wild Pony Racing- Part 2

Last week we mentioned how Gage and Trez competed in the Wild Pony Racing. We now have some more pictures to share with you.

Great work boys!

Wagon Women's Wild West Luncheon and Fashion Show

Each year Shannon and all the Chuckwagon women attend the Wagon Women's Wild West Luncheon and Fashion Show.

It is a chance for the women to get away from the barns and have a afternoon to themselves. There are pleanty of laughs, and a good time had by all.

The ladies of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) have teamed together to host the Wagon Women's Wild West Luncheon and Fashion Show in order to raise funds for a variety of charities.


Twenty five per cent of the funds raised will go directly towards the World Professional Chuckwagon Asssociation Benevolent Fund. The other seventy five percent will be divided up and given back to each of the race communities the WPCA visits.

The idea behind this all will be women helping women. The wagon women will be picking a charity from each community to help. This may include women shelters, cancer groups, food banks, etc.

The Wagon Women's Wild West Luncheon and Fashion Show will be held in Ponoka, Alberta on Thursday, July 1, 2010. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m.

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy an entertaining afternoon with the ladies of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association. There will be a live and silent auction, great food and fun games.

Tickets - $55/each

For more information regarding tickets, contact:

Dina Sutherland
Ph: 403.990.6834
Email: dina.sutherland@telus.net

Medicine Hat

Well the Medicine Hat races wrapped up this afternoon. We had a great show, and continued our awesome start to the season.

We ended up 4th in the Aggergate, and now have moved up to 5th place in the World Standings. This is one of our best starts to the season we have ever had!

The next stop is Drumheller which starts on the 18th. Hope to see all of our friends, fans and family out at the races.

Ironwood Building Systems

This year we have a great sponsor that has come on board to be part of the team this season.

Ironwood Building Systems is located out of Calgary, Alberta. They provide engineering services, construction services, building systems and so much more!

They have worked in everything from agriculture to industrial to residental buildings. They truely do have everything to meet your needs.

We really want to thank Ironwood for coming on board this year. Please make a point to either stop in their office in Calgary or have a chat with their team along the road at one of the show stops.


http://www.ironwood.ca/

Horsemen Extraordinaires

When we get a few days at home, we try to keep a normal life. We have some commercial cattle, have some crop land, take part in hockey, and most recently Wild Pony Racing!

Our 2 youngest sons Trez and Gage are part of a Wild Pony Racing team this year. They compete at several different rodeos in the year. This weekend was the first stop of the year.

Trez with Maggie this Spring

Gage in Mexico last fall

The point of Wild Pony Racing is to try to tame a wild pony long enough to get a rider aboard for a two jump ride. The team with the fastest time wins.

Although the boys did not get a ride in yesterday, they are back at it today. Make sure to come out and cheer on the boys this summer!

Fan Pictures

We love you sharing your fan pictures with us. You can either post them on our Facebook page under Troy Flad Racing, or email them to us as well!

Here is a photo taken by Bonnie Hodgson. Thanks for posting them Bonnie!

Grande Prairie

So far we have been having a great show in Grande Prairie. After 3 nights we are sitting in 14th spot. The penalty on night 1 has cost us a few spots, but still it has been a great 1st show.

On night 3 we ran 3 wide and the boys were pretty tired. We have a great crew this year who worked hard on the boys after the race. We would not be able to do what we do if it was not for all the crew, family and friends who help out throughout the year. They really make a huge difference during the season.

We have barrel #1 tonight, so hopefully we can get out of the infield fast. Tomorrow the heats will be redrew according to the standings after 4 nights. Stay tuned to either our Facebook page or the WPCA website to find out what heat we will be moving to.

Race On!

How the Game Goes

I thought that after last nights race it would be the perfect time to explain the "game" of chuckwagon racing.

The point of racing is to make it around the track as fast as possible. However, there are rules that you must follow as you do that. These rules are in place to make the sport more challenging, and keep it as safe as possible.

For each rule that is broken, you can either be given a penalty, which adds seconds onto your race time, or you may be disqualified. Because you are given additional seconds to your race time for each penalty, it is important to drive as clean as possible.

Now the driver is not the only one who can earn penalties. The outriders can also earn penalties as well. The driver has no control over this, so he has to rely on his outriders to ride a clean race as well.

Here is a guideline of the basic rules to Chuckwagon Racing:

The Race

• A chuckwagon race will consist of two to four wagons, with two to four outriders per wagon.
• An individual chuckwagon race is referred to as a heat.
• Each wagon will start on the right side of its starting barrel, with the hub of the real wheels in line with any part of the barrel closest to the racetrack (Bottom barrel).
• A gun or horn (Klaxon) is used as a starting signal for a chuckwagon race.
• When a race has been started, outriders must load the stove and the tent poles into the back of the wagon.
• Each wagon must cut a figure 8 pattern around their respective barrels only.
• Outriders must cut a figure 8 pattern around their respective barrels only.
• Chuckwagons and outriders then run around the racetrack in a counter clockwise direction.
• A chuckwagon’s running time will be determined when the nose of its first horse crosses the finish line.
• Each outrider must finish within 150 feet of its wagon or they will be determined late.
• A chuckwagon’s total time will be determined by adding its running time to any penalties it may have incurred during the course of the race.

Basic penalties

Penalty Call	Time Penalty
Wagon interference	Min. of 1 Second
Late outrider	1 Second
Outrider finishing ahead of wagon	1 Second
Outrider not finishing race	1 Second
Outrider interference	Discretion of judges
Tent poles off ground to start race	1 Second / Pole
Tent poles not loaded	1 Second / Pole
Stove off ground to start race	2 Seconds
Stove not loaded	4 Seconds
Wagon starting ahead of barrel	1 Second
False start	1 Second
Wagon knocks over a barrel	5 Seconds / Barrel
Wagon missing a barrel	10 Seconds / Barrel
Outrider knocking over a barrel	2 Seconds / Barrel
Outrider missing a barrel	2 Seconds / Barrel

One Year Ago

Well we made it up to Grande Prairie for the first races of the year. It is always a great show to get to as your horses are fresh and it is awesome to see all of the familiar faces from the circuit.

Last year when we got up to Grande Prarie, we were so excited for the season to start. We had a great spring training and had really god hopes for the weekend. However, we ran into a small problem... we kind of were a little late for the race. We didn't even make it onto the track!

All I can say is that we will not be making that mistake again today. We have a great team of horses to hook tonight. Should be a good night.

Ponoka Tarp Auction Results

The final chuckwagon canvas auction for 2010 took place for one of chuckwagon racing's premier events - the Ponoka Stampede - on Friday, May 7, 2010 at the Stagecoach Saloon on the Ponoka Stampede grounds in Ponoka, Alberta.


$374,500.00 was bid on the 36 drivers that will compete at the 2010 Ponoka Stampede. This is up a whopping $110,000.00 over the 2009 total of $264,500.00. This year’s total makes the Ponoka Stampede the highest of all of the shows that will comprise the 2010 WPCA Dodge Pro Tour.

Defending Ponoka Stampede Champion Obrey Motowylo and Troy Dorchester shared the high bid with each driver selling for $20,000.00, up $1,000.00 over 2009’s top bid of $19,000.00. The average bid was $10,402.78.78 up $3,055.56 from $7,947.22 in 2009, with the median bid being $8,500.00 up $2,500.00 from $6,000.00 in 2009. The low bid of $4,500.00 was up $500.00 over 2009’s low bid of $4,000.00.

As reported by the WPCA

2010 WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Canvas Auction Results

The 3rd canvas auction of the year - the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour’s chuckwagon canvas auction took place on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino in Calgary, with satellite locations in Medicine Hat, Rocky Mountain House, Grande Prairie, Drumheller and Bonnyville. Shows up for sale included the Grande Prairie Stompede, Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, North American Chuckwagon Championship, Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship, Badlands Dinosaur Derby, WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship, Battle of the North and finally the Battle of the Rockies. 

All but one show was up over 2009 totals. The overall total came in at $1,276,250.00 - up $93,000.00 over 2009 totals. The top selling show of 2010 for the 2nd consecutive year was the Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship. It totaled a very impressive $202,000.00 up $10,500.00 over its 2009 total of $191,500.00. The average bid came in at $5,611.11 with the median bid at $5,125.00. High bid of $19,500.00 went to local hero Rae Croteau Jr.

The 2nd highest total of the 2010 satellite auction was the Grande Prairie Stompede. It totaled $194,500, up $18,500.00 from $176,000.00 in 2009. The average bid came in at $5,402.78 with the median bid at $5,000.00. High bid of $10,000.00 went to Hugh Sinclair, Kirk Sutherland and Jason Glass. 

The 3rd highest total of the 2009 satellite auction was the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship in Strathmore. It totaled $185,250.00, up $13,750.00 from $171,500.00 in 2009. The average bid came in at $5,145.83 with the median bid at $4,875.00. High bid of $9,500 went to Kelly Sutherland.

4th highest total was the North American Chuckwagon Championship in High River. Although it totaled $155,000.00, it was the only show of the 8 auctioned off to be down in total from 2009. High River’s auction was down $2,500.00 from $157,500.00 in 2009. The average bid came in at $4,305.56 with the median bid coming in at $4,500.00. High bid of $8,000.00 went to Rick Fraser.

The 5th highest total was a new show - the Battle of the Rockies in Rocky Mountain House which replaced the Red Deer Chuckwagon Championship. The change of venue was a positive as the sale totaled $152,750.00, up $28,750.00 over Red Deer’s 2009 total of $124,000.00. The average bid came in at $4,243.06 with the median bid at $3,875.00. High bid of $9,500.00 went to Jerry Bremner.

6th highest total was the Battle of the North in Dawson Creek. It totaled $148,500.00, up $11,750.00 from $136,750.00 in 2009. The average bid came in at $4,125.00 with the median bid at $4,000.00. High bid of $8,000.00 went to Chad Harden.

7th highest total went to the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. It totaled $120,250.00, up $2,500.00 from $117,750.00 in 2009. The average bid came in at $3,340.28 with the median bid equaling the 2009 median bid at an even $3,000.00. High bid of $8,000.00 went to Troy Dorchester.

Finally, the Badlands Dinosaur Derby totaled $118,000.00, up $9,750.00 from $108,250.00 in 2009. The average bid came in at $3,277.78 with the median bid at $3,000.00. High bid of $6,250.00 went to Reg Johnstone.

The final auction of the year will be for the Ponoka Stampede which will take place on Friday, May 7, 2010 at the Stagecoach Saloon on the Ponoka Stampede Grounds. Last years Ponoka Stampede auction brought in a total of $264,500.00.

As reported my WPCA

Dodge World Chuckwagon Championships Canvas Auction Results

The 2nd Chuckwagon canvas auction for 2010 took place on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at the Alberta Ballroom in Edmonton Expo Center at Northlands Park - 116 Avenue & Wayne Gretzky Drive in Edmonton.

$307,000.00 was bid on the 36 drivers that will compete at the WPCA Dodge World Chuckwagon Championships. This is up $21,500.00 over the 2009 total of $285,500.00.

Defending Edmonton Chuckwagon Derby Champion Chad Harden was the high bid at $19,000.00, down $1,000.00 over 2009’s top bid of $20,000.00. The average bid was $8,527.78 up $597.22 from $7,930.56 in 2009, with the median bid being $7,750.00 up $250.00 from $7,500.00 in 2009. The low bid of $4,000.00 matched the low bid of 2009.

The 3rd Chuckwagon canvas auction for the year will be for the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour chuckwagon canvas auction which on Tuesday, April 6, 2009. Shows up for sale included the Grande Prairie Stompede, Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, North American Chuckwagon Championship, Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship, Badlands Dinosaur Derby, WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship, Battle of the North and finally a new show – the Battle of the Rockies in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. The Red Deer Chuckwagon Championship is not on the 2010 WPCA schedule.

As reported by the WPCA

Calgary Stampede Canvas Auction Results

The first chuckwagon canvas auction of the year was for the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby and held on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Archie Boyce Pavilion on Stampede Park in Calgary Alberta. $1,966,000.00 was bid on the 36 participating wagons, up $274,000.00. It was the 11th consecutive year the Calgary Auction crossed over the 1.5 million dollar mark, in addition to being the 5th highest total in the 32 year history of the event.

$1,447,500.00 of the total was bid on the 25 drivers that will represent the WPCA at this year’s Calgary Stampede, while $518,500.00 was bid on the 11 drivers representing the CPCA. Defending Calgary Stampede Champion Chad Harden was the high bid at $120,000.00, up $10,000.00 from 2009’s top bid of $110,000.00. WPCA drivers took 21 of the top 25 bids, including 8 of the top 10 bids. The average bid on all 36 wagons was $54,611.11 up $7,611.11 from $47,000.00 in 2009, with the median bid being $50,000.00 up $9,500.00 from $40,500.00 in 2009. Another bright spot in the 2010 Calgary auction was the low bid was $37,000.00 up $11,000.00 from the 2009 low bid of $26,000.00.

As reported by the WPCA

Training Time!

The last few weeks we have been busy training the horses for the season. We start training about 4-6 weeks before the tour starts. This allows us time to train the new horses we got in the off season, as well as to play around with some old horses in new positions.

In Chuckwagon racing there are 4 positions for a team: Right Lead, Left Lead, Right Wheel and Left Wheel. Some horses will only pull at a certain position, while others will pull 2 different spots.

We also have outriding horses that we need to train and condition. These are the horses that run behind the wagon during the race.

We will have some more training reports coming soon, as we are about to hit the road to Grande Prairie this weekend!

2010 Tour Schedule

Make sure to come out and visit us this summer at any one of the following tour stops!

Grande Prairie Stompede
May 26 - May 30, 2010
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Wednesday - Sunday @ 7:45 PM

Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede
June 11 - 13, 2010
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Friday - Saturday @ 7:00 PM, Sunday @ 2:00 PM

Badlands Dinosaur Derby
June 18 - 20, 2010
Drumheller, Alberta
Friday - Saturday @ 7:00 PM / Sunday @ 4:00 PM

North American Chuckwagon Championship
June 24-27, 2010
High River, Alberta
Thursday - Saturday @ 8:00 PM, Sunday @ 4:00 PM

Ponoka Stampede
June 29 - July 4, 2010
Ponoka, Alberta
Tuesday - Sunday @ 7:45 PM

Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby
July 9 - 18, 2010
Calgary, Alberta
Friday - Sunday @ 8:00 PM

Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship
July 22 - 25, 2010
Bonnyville, Alberta
Thursday - Saturday @ 7:00 PM, Sunday @ 2:00 PM

WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship & Strathmore Heritage Days
July 29 - August 2, 2010
Strathmore, Alberta
Thursday - Sunday @ 7:15 PM
Monday @ 6:00 PM

Battle Of The North
August 11 - 15, 2010
Dawson Creek, BC
Wednesday - Sunday @ 7:00 PM (MST)

Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Championship
August 19 – 22, 2010
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Thursday – Saturday @ 7:00 PM, Sunday @ 2:00 PM

WPCA Dodge Pro Tour World Finals- Edmonton's Chuckwagon Derby
September 1 - 5, 2010
Edmonton, Alberta
Wednesday - Sunday@ 7:00 PM