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Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Canvas Auction
CANVAS AUCTION
The GMC Rangeland Derby is a one-of-a-kind event, offering exclusive advertising opportunities. Take part in the full ten days of action, or share the opportunity with up to nine other organizations! As a chuckwagon advertiser, you will be able to offer clients, employees and friends an amazing behind the scenes experience while also gaining extensive exposure for your company or group.
2018 Canvas Auction Interest Package
2018 DRIVERS
Todd Baptiste
Cando, Saskatchewan
July 17, 1974
Todd is coming off of a successful year in 2017 with top five finishes at three out of the nine tours he raced in. A highlight of last season for Todd was winning the Onion Lake aggregate Championship and the Onion Lake dash.
Todd believes a strong relationship built on trust is essential to keeping his horses happy, healthy, and ready to run. No stranger to the Stampede track, Todd lists outriding for his uncle, Edgar Baptiste, during his 1996 Calgary Stampede Championship win as one of his favourite memories in the sport.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 36th
2016 – Did Not Attend
2015 - Did not attend
2014 - Did not attend
2013 - Did not attend
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 33rd (2008)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 9th
2016 - 3rd
2015 - 10th
2014 - Did not compete
2013 - 12th
Chance Bensmiller
Dewberry, Alberta
November 5, 1985
No stranger to the sport of Chuckwagon racing, Chance comes from a family with a notable history in the sport. Chance is the youngest son of three-time Calgary Stampede Champion Buddy Bensmiller, and brother to three-time Champ Kurt Bensmiller. Not to be left in the shadows, Chance is making his own impact in the sport with his most successful season to date in 2017. It included multiple top finishes and ended on a high note as he captured the Lloydminister finals aggregate title. In 2018, Chance will make his fourth appearance at the Calgary Stampede.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 22nd
2016 - 27th
2015 - Did not attend
2014 - Did not attend
2013 - 29th - Rookie Year
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 4
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 22nd (2017)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 8th
2016 - 5th
2015 - 11th
2014 - 17th
2013 - 16th
Kurt Bensmiller
Dewberry, Alberta
May 1, 1983
2017 was Kurt’s most successful season yet. His list of accolades over the past year is seemingly endless – he won his third Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Championship in four years. He ran penalty free which earned him the Calgary Stampede Safety Award and his right wheeler horse “Tenth Power” was named to the 2017 Calgary Stampede Equine Outfit of Excellence. Kurt’s winning streak continued throughout the season with big wins at Guy Weadick Days in High River and the Ponoka Stampede. These wins, along with numerous other top finishes earned him the title World Champion Chuckwagon Driver in the WPCA. Kurt is the first to note that he is blessed to be able to do what he loves, with the people that he loves thanks to the support of his wife, three daughters and other members of his family.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 1st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby, Aggregate & SNC Lavalin Safety Award
2016 - 5th - Semi Finalist
2015 - 1st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby & Aggregate Champion
2014 - 1st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion
2013 - 6th - Semi Finalist
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 17 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 4
BEST FINISH: 1st (2017, 2015 & 2014)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 1st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver
2016 - 3rd
2015 - 1st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver
2014 - 2nd
2013 - 4th
BJ Carey
Lloydminster, Alberta
January 6th, 1980
Like many of the Chuckwagon drivers set to here at the Calgary Stampede, BJ Carey was introduced to the sport through his family. His father-in-law, Brian Laboucane, who raced at the Stampede for 37 years, was the one made the introduction. BJ has now been among the top ten drivers in the CPCA standings for the better part of the past decade, crediting the continuous support of his family and friends for making it possible to compete at the highest levels of the sport. BJ heads into the 2018 season with momentum, coming off of a very consistent 2017 highlighted by over a dozen top 10 finishes including narrowly missing out on the dash at the year-end championship in Lloydminster.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - Did not attend
2016 - 32nd
2015 - 36th
2014 - 34th
2013 - 22nd
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 6
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 22nd (2013)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 5th
2016 - 10th
2015 - 7th
2014 - 9th
2013 - 1st - CPCA High Point Driver Award & Year End Aggregate Time Champion
Cliff Cunningham
Spruce Grove, Alberta
February 26th, 1953
A lifelong horseman, Cliff got his start driving high-speed equines as a pony chuckwagon and chariot driver. He competed for over three decades before making the jump in 2007 to holding the reins in a full-sized, Thoroughbred-powered wagon. Cliff is no stranger to the Calgary Stampede, having raced here twice before in 2011 and 2012. When Cliff was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the 2016 racing season, he fought hard to beat the disease and return to the sport of Chuckwagon racing after surgery, and says he knew he needed to achieve his dream of thundering past the Stampede Grandstand again. Now healthy and back on the track, Cliff will get to live that dream one final time in Calgary this July before he reaches the age of mandatory retirement at the end of this season.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 – Attended as Demo driver
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 3
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 21st (2012)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 29th
2016 - 15th – Injured, outfit driven by Jess Willard
2015 - 26th
2014 - 29th
2013 - 26th
Troy Dorchester
Westerose, Alberta
December 6, 1972
A veteran chuckwagon driver with one Calgary Stampede Championship and three Championship Sunday final appearances, Troy Dorchester definitely knows his way around the Stampede track. Troy’s father, grandfather and uncle are also former Calgary Stampede Champions, making him a third generation champion driver. Troy’s extended family continues to support his racing career, helping to care for his horses and celebrating his successes. He heads into the current season coming off of a great 2017. It included running penalty free at the 2017 GMC Rangeland Derby, finishing in seventh place. Troy also had two top ten finishes on the 2017 WPCA circuit.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 7th
2016 - 25th
2015 - 25th
2014 - 18th
2013 - 9th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 20
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 3
BEST FINISH: 1st (2012)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 23rd
2016 - 23rd
2015 - 21st
2014 - 6th - WPCA Clean Drive Award
2013 - 9th
Chad Fike
Cremona, Alberta
May 13, 1988
2018 will mark Chad’s fourth consecutive year racing in the GMC Rangeland Derby, an impressive feat for the youngest driver to take the Stampede track this year. Chad began his chuckwagon career as an outrider, and rode for two GMC Rangeland Derby Champion outfits and three Calgary Stampede Aggregate winners. A fourth generation chuckwagon competitor, Chad is the brother of fellow driver Jordie Fike. Chad credits his grandpa, chuckwagon legend Ron David, with helping him become the driver he is today by being there for him through spring training and every race season. Like many of the drivers competing at the Calgary Stampede, Chad lists spring training as his favourite part of the chuckwagon season because it’s an opportunity to work with all of his horses every day, and he enjoys watching them develop.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 19th
2016 - 31st
2015 - 20th - Orville Strandquist Memorial Award (Top Rookie Driver)
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 4 consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 19th (2017)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 21st
2016 - 17th - Herman Flad Memorial Award (WPCA Most Improved Driver)
2015 - 23rd
2014 - 22nd
2013 - 28th - WPCA Top Rookie Driver Award
Jordie Fike
High River, Alberta
2018 will be Jordie Fike’s seventh year competing in the GMC Rangeland Derby, and he says it is ten days of racing he thinks about and looks forward to the other 355 days of the year. Spend time in Jordie’s barn and you will clearly see the strong relationship he has with all of his horses, who he says impact his life in many different ways. Despite growing up around chuckwagon racing, it was hockey that first captured much of Jordie’s time and attention. After playing two full seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League he made the decision to take off the skates and pick up the reins.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 29th
2016 - 28th
2015 - 15th
2014 - 16th
2013 - 28th
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 7
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 15th (2015)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 22nd
2016 - 29th
2015 - 16th
2014 - 10th
2013 - 22nd
Darcy Flad
Bodo, Alberta
October 28, 1970
Darcy is excited to make his fifth appearance at the 2018 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby. A second generation Chuckwagon driver, Darcy is the eldest son of former Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Champion Herman Flad. Darcy has been driving competitively since 2004, and currently holds the Lloydminster track record. Darcy is a graduate of Olds College, and when not working with and developing his Chuckwagon horses, he is caring for the other animals on his ranch. He also enjoys rodeo and team roping in his spare time.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 34th
2016 - 14th
2015 - Did not attend
2014 - 31st
2013 - Did not attend
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 14th (2016)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 25th
2016 - 30th
2015 - 25th
2014 - 31st
2013 - 17th
Rick Fraser
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
October 28, 1959
Rick Fraser is always a fierce competitor on the Calgary Stampede track and 2018 marks his 20th consecutive start in the GMC Rangeland Derby. Over the years Rick has enjoyed a lot of success in Calgary. As a driver he has many top ten finishes, has raced in the final four times, and earned the Orville Strandquist Award for top rookie driver in 1999. The care Rick and his family provide to their horses shines through in their success, with right wheel horse Law named to the 2016 Calgary Stampede Equine Outfit of Excellence.
Rick is one of the many drivers who believe in giving back to the community through work with charities. One event that Rick would never miss is his special yearly visit to the Alberta Children’s Hospital during the Calgary Stampede.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 10th
2016 - 36th
2015 - 14th - Semi Finalist
2014 - 7th - Semi Finalist
2013 - 4th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 20 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 4
BEST FINISH: 4th (2013 and 2007)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 4th
2016 - 14th
2015 - 4th
2014 - 4th
2013 - 1st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver
Jason Glass
High River, Alberta
December 15, 1970
Jason Glass is consistently one of the top competitors at the Calgary Stampede. Jason and his team captured the title of GMC Rangeland Derby Champions in 2013. A true horseman, Jason holds the highest regard for his horses, ten of which have been named to the Equine Outfit of Excellence at the Calgary Stampede or in the WPCA over the years. A fourth generation driver, Jason feels his father, four-time Calgary Stampede Champion Tom Glass, and grandmother, Iris Glass, helped him become the driver he is today through their knowledge, work ethic and love of the horses. Jason says one of the things he loves most about the sport of chuckwagon racing is when the horn sounds, and he looks down at his “boys” and the rest of the horses on the track and sees them doing what they love, which is run. In the off-season Jason works as a stuntman in the movie industry.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 23rd
2016 - 2nd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2015 - 16th
2014 - 2nd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat & Aggregate Winner
2013 - 1st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion & Aggregate Winner
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 28 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 10
BEST FINISH: 1st (2013)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 8th
2016 - 12th
2015 - 7th
2014 - 3rd
2013 - 12th
Dustin Gorst
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
April 23, 1986
Dustin Gorst’s rookie debut at the 2017 Calgary Stampede was an impressive one, as he ran penalty free to finish in 8th place and was awarded the Rookie Driver of the year. Dustin started his chuckwagon career as an outrider, winning numerous accolades including the CPCA Champion Outrider three times and the Calgary Stampede Outstanding Outrider twice. His family ties to the sport are noticeably important to him - he is the grandson of former driver Art Gorst, son of current driver Gary Gorst and brother to fellow driver Logan Gorst. He credits them with helping him develop to where he is in the sport today and says his wife Jaycee is his main support through the season, working in partnership with him and together making the care of their horses a number one priority at all times.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 8th - Rookie year
2016 - Demo driver
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 2
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 8th (2017)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 27th
2016 - 22nd
2015 - 27th
2014 - 36th - Rookie Year
Gary Gorst
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
January 31, 1955
Chuckwagon racing is truly a family affair for Gary, who is a second generation wagon driver and will be racing alongside two of his sons during the 2018 GMC Rangeland Derby. He says the highlight of his career is watching them follow in his footsteps, and also believes having them involved in the sport helps him to be a better driver as they analyze races together and share information. Gary is not only a mentor to his sons, but a force to be reckoned with on the track – he has twice qualified for the GMC Rangeland Derby Championship heat and has had three horses named to the Calgary Stampede's Equine Outfit of Excellence. In 2017, Gary had two WPCA tour wins and is looking to carry that momentum into 2018.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 24th
2016 - 35th - Semi Finalist
2015 - 5th - Semi Finalist
2014 - 4th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2013 - 8th - Semi Finalist
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 20
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 2
BEST FINISH: 3rd (2012)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 7th
2016 - 2nd
2015 - 8th
2014 - 16th
2013 - 10th
Logan Gorst
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
April 18, 1982
At the 2017 Calgary Stampede, Logan qualified for the Championship Sunday Final Heat for the second time in three years and finished in fourth place. His eighth Stampede appearance to date, Logan will not only race with his father and brother at the Calgary Stampede in 2018, but with father-in-law Luke Tournier as well. A third generation driver, Logan says being able to travel the chuckwagon circuit with the support of all of his family members, especially his wife and three girls, is one of the best parts of the sport. While enjoying the competitiveness and thrill of racing, Logan also loves the time he spends with his horses, describing them as unique individuals who, just like people, have different personalities.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 4th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2016 - 12th
2015 - 3rd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2014 - 12th
2013 – Attended as Demo Driver
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 8
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 2
BEST FINISH: 3rd (2015)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 5th
2016 - 8th
2015 - 16th
2014 - 20th
2013 - 18th
Chad Harden
Thorsby, Alberta
August 21, 1970
With 2018 marking his 18th consecutive start at the Calgary Stampede, Chad says he thrives on the thrill of thundering past the Stampede Grandstand. A third generation driver, Chad has celebrated two major wins at the Calgary Stampede through his career. First, as a rookie driver in 2001, he was the recipient of the Orville Strandquist Award. He then built on that early success, capturing the GMC Rangeland Derby championship in 2009. Chad’s outriding horse Robert was named to the 2017 Calgary Stampede Equine Outfit of Excellence, marking the second year in a row that he has had a horse named to the outfit. In the off-season Chad works as a hockey scout, using his hockey knowledge as well as his team building skills to help spot and place great young players.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 14th
2016 - 13th
2015 - 31st
2014 - 20th
2013 - 10th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 18 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 1
BEST FINISH: 1st (2009)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 10th
2016 - 9th
2015 - 13th
2014 - 17th
2013 - 19th
Barry Hodgson
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
March 9, 1961
Barry Hodgson is looking forward to his return to the Calgary Stampede track in 2017, and his fifth appearance as a driver. A veteran of the sport, Barry notes his most memorable Chuckwagon racing moment as the moment when he found out he had qualified for his first Calgary Stampede. He is a seasoned thoroughbred horse trainer with decades of experience working with race horses in Arizona and Manitoba, and his passion for the equine athletes he works with is clear. Barry is the nephew of three-time Calgary Stampede champion Dave Lewis, and cousin to fellow competitor Rick Fraser.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 30th
2016 - Did not attend
2015 – Attended as our Demo Driver
2014 - 30th
2013 - 15th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 6
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 15th (2013)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 11th
2016 - 7th
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2015 - 32nd
2014 - 32nd
2013 - 32nd
Doug Irvine
LaCorey, Alberta
August 8, 1975
Doug Irvine is looking for another strong performance from his horses in 2018 at the GMC Rangeland Derby, after a successful 2017 season. Doug’s first introduction to chuckwagon racing was through his father, who builds wheels for those in the sport. He then started working for former driver Brian Laboucane, cleaning barns as a teen, eventually going on to became an outrider and then building his own successful wagon team.In the tightest race in Calgary Stampede history, Doug was one one-hundredth of a second short of the championship-winning time put up by Troy Dorchester in 2012, just missing out on the win.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 26th
2016 - 19th
2015 - 8th
2014 - 24th
2013 - 13th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 15
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 1
BEST FINISH: 2nd (2012)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 12th
2016 - 15th
2015 - 11th - Herman Flad Memorial Award (WPCA Most Improved Driver)
2014 - 24th
2013 - 14th
Ross Knight
St. Walburg, Saskatchewan
July 8, 1966
Ross is looking forward to being back at the GMC Rangeland Derby in 2018 after a hiatus of a few years. With 17 GMC Rangeland Derby starts as a driver and outriding for three aggregate winning teams in the ‘90s, Ross knows the sport and the track very well. Ross Knight shares his passion for horses and chuckwagon racing with his son Casey who is now following in his footsteps as a successful outrider.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - Did not attend
2016 - 24th
2015 - Did not attend
2014 - Did not attend
2013 - Qualified but did not drive due to injury
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 17
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 22nd (2004 & 2005)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 26th
2016 - 32nd
2015 - 22nd
2014 - 28th
2013 - 33rd
Wayne Knight
St. Walburg, Saskatchewan
June 5, 1957
Wayne is one of the most accomplished and competitive horsemen in Chuckwagon racing. He prides himself in developing and training new horses, working with them to achieve their full potential. He strives to foster an unparalleled mutual respect between horse and human. In 2017, Wayne had a landmark year with over 20 top five finishes on the CPCA circuit, including a win in Wainwright and Lloydminster which helped him to claim the 2017 CPCA Championship and the CPCA year-end High Point Championship. His horse Skunk was named the top left leader for the 2017 CPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - Did not attend
2016 - Did not attend
2015 - 34th
2014 - 14th - Semi Finalist
2013 - 20th
GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 29
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 1
BEST FINISH: 7th (1998)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 1st
2016 - 6th
2015 - 3rd
2014 - 20th
2013 - 6th
Jamie Laboucane
St. Walburg, Saskatchewan
December 16, 1986
Jamie Laboucane is looking forward to his eighth consecutive appearance at the Calgary Stampede since his rookie year in 2011. Jamie has consistently been extremely competitive at the Stampede, making it into the semi-final in 2015, and being awarded the Safety Award that same year. Jamie is heading into Calgary hungrier than ever after sustaining an injury at the start of the 2017 GMC Rangeland Derby. But it didn’t slow him down for long. Jamie had a strong 2017 season winning the Dewberry, Frog Lake and Little Pine titles within the CPCA Circuit. His horse Bourne was named the 2017 CPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence right wheeler for the 2nd year in a row.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 31st - Injured, outfit driven by Chance Bensmiller
2016 - 21st
2015 - 24th - Semi Finalist
2014 - 23rd
2013 - 7th – Injured, outfit driven by Doug Irvine
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 8 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 6/7th (2012)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 4th
2016 - 4th
2015 - 6th
2014 - 6th
2013 - 4th
Layne MacGillivray
Halkirk, Alberta
May 22, 1975
After a season full of great results on the WPCA circuit that included a 3rd place overall finish and being named the recipient of Herman Flad Memorial Award (WPCA Most Improved Driver) Layne MacGillivray will again be driving his horses in front of the huge Calgary Stampede crowd, and he’s looking forward to the challenge. Layne’s best finish at the Stampede was in 2014 when he ended the ten days of racing in eighth spot, and he looks to top that in 2018. Layne has also had success as an outrider in Calgary, winning the Championship with driver Hugh Sinclair in 2000 and 2004. Layne is the son of former driver Dennis MacGillivray and great-nephew of former driver and chuckwagon promoter Cliff Claggett. He says he enjoys travelling with family and has been quoted as saying, “When you get to spend your day dealing with a horse, it’s a pretty good life.”
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 12th
2016 - 18th
2015 - 17th
2014 - 8th
2013 - Did not attend
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 14
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 8th (2014)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 3rd
2016 - 33rd
2015 - 28th
2014 - 18th
2013 - 20th
Codey McCurrach
Condor, Alberta
Codey McCurrach is looking forward to returning to his favourite place to race, the Calgary Stampede, in 2018. An experienced horseman who has been driving horses competitively since the age of ten, Codey earned the Orville Strandquist Memorial Award in 2012 as the top rookie on the Stampede track. The 2016 season saw him make the final four of the Battle of the North, and the Ponoka Stampede and his outrider horse Wino was named to the WPCA’s Equine Outfit of Excellence. Codey finds it extremely rewarding to see his horses perform at their best, and enjoys helping them do what they love, run, through training, proper diet and physical care.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 17th
2016 - 17th
2015 - 12th
2014 - Did not attend - Demo Driver
2013 - 23rd
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 6
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 6th/7th (2012)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 15th
2016 - 4th
2015 - 17th
2014 - 8th - Herman Flad Memorial Award (WPCA Most Improved Driver)
2013 - 31st
Ray Mitsuing
Loon Lake, Saskatchewan
September 12, 1953
Ray is without question one of the legends in the sport of Chuckwagon racing, and the 2018 GMC Rangeland Derby will be the veteran driver’s 35th consecutive year of racing at the Calgary Stampede. As always, Ray was a strong competitor in 2017 both at the Stampede and within his association, the CPCA. In two out of the past three years, Ray was the CPCA’s high point champion, as well as the Onion Lake Champion. His horse Approval Rating, a right leader, was named to the CPCA’s 2016 Equine Outfit of Excellence, and in 2017 his left wheeler Royal Victor was named to it. Ray lists racing in Calgary as one of the main reasons he continues to compete in chuckwagon racing, saying winning the championship at the Stampede would be the ultimate victory. He also enjoys working with his horses, giving them pre-race massage and watching body language before and after races to determine how they are preparing and recovering.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 25th
2016 - 11th
2015 - 26th
2014 - 5th
2013 - 24th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 35 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 2
BEST FINISH: 3rd (1992)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 3rd
2016 - 1st - CPCA Champion & CPCA High Point Driver
2015 - 1st - CPCA Champion & CPCA High Point Driver
2014 - 4th
2013 - 8th
Kris Molle
Chauvin, Alberta
March 8, 1978
Coming off a strong 2017 season, Kris Molle is ready to race at the Calgary Stampede in 2018. Kris has taken home 2nd in the the CPCA’s standings for three consecutive years. He also had his right lead horse Chilly named to the CPCA’s Equine Outfit of Excellence. Kris isn’t the only one in his barn who looks forward to race season. He says he knows his horses absolutely love being harnessed up and raced, and you can see the excitement and enthusiasm in their eyes. To keep his thoroughbreds in top condition, he has them each on an individualized feed program tailored to meet their specific nutritional needs.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 28th
2016 - 29th
2015 - 28th
2014 - 27th - Calgary Stampede's Orville Strandquist Award for Top Rookie Driver
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5 consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 27th (2014)
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 2nd
2016 - 2nd
2015 - 2nd
2014 - 5th
2013 - 9th
Roger Moore
Loon Lake, Saskatchewan
December 31, 1965
A 25+ year veteran of the sport, Roger Moore and his horses are once again ready to race at the Calgary Stampede. Without giving away any secrets, Roger says the best way to ensure his horses are in top racing condition is “hours and hours of care.” A man of few words, when it comes to how much his horses mean to him, Roger lets his actions speak for him on the track and in his barn. He does say that he loves the feeling of hearing the horn blow and having his team get out and grab the front end in a race. Roger won the Stampede’s Orville Strandquist Award for Top Rookie Driver in 1997, and has been part of two Calgary Stampede Championship winning teams at the Calgary Stampede as an outrider.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 9th
2016 - 16th
2015 - 10th
2014 - 13th
2013 - Did not attend
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 18
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 9th (2017)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 18th
2016 - 10th
2015 - 15th
2014 - 13th
2013 - 5th
Obrey Motowylo
Bluffton, Alberta
July 1, 1972
Obrey Motowylo believes it’s every wagon driver’s dream to race at the Calgary Stampede, calling it the biggest and best show. For the 10th year in a row, Obrey and his team will be a part of that excitement. Since his rookie year at the Calgary Stampede in 2009, Obrey has qualified twice for the GMC Rangeland Derby’s Semi Final Saturday. In 2018 he is definitely looking to do that again, and is working hard to ensure his horses are healthy and happy and ready to help make it happen. Obrey credits his family for their support of both him and the horses; saying when it comes to the equine athletes it takes constant care and maintenance to allow them to excel at what they love to do – run.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 2nd - Qualified for Championship Sunday Final Heat
2016 - 15th
2015 - 30th
2014 - 15th
2013 - 18th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 10 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 1
BEST FINISH: 2nd (2017)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 6th
2016 - 24th
2015 - 3rd
2014 - 11th
2013 - 6th
Vern Nolin
Dewberry, Alberta
March 1, 1973
Vern Nolin has been incredibly consistent at the Calgary Stampede, finishing within the top five for the past three years. He is ready to take another run at the championship in 2018.Vern considers his horses high-performance athletes and has created a special program of diet, exercise and rest to keep them in ideal condition. He also shoes his own horses to ensure there is consistency with their hoof care. The hard work is paying off, with his left lead horse Hawk was named to the 2017 Calgary Stampede Equine Outfit of Excellence. Vern says he became involved in chuckwagon driving after growing up watching his father compete in the sport. He says getting involved in the sport himself just came naturally.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 5th
2016 - 4th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2015 - 4th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2014 - 36th
2013 - 21st
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 15
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 2
BEST FINISH: 4th (2017 and 2016)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 16th
2016 - 6th
CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2015 - 4th
2014 - 3rd
2013 - 2nd - CPCA Finals Dash Champion
Cody Ridsdale
Fairview, Alberta
April 30, 1987
For Cody Ridsdale, competing at the Calgary Stampede has been his goal since he began driving competitively 14 years ago, and calls the invitation to drive in in last year’s 2017 GMC Rangeland Derby a “game changer” for him. He is looking to continue his momentum, with his second consecutive start in the race in 2018. Cody’s equine athletes have the benefit of his fiancé’s talents as a Certified Equine Therapist, specializing in Equine Chiropractic and Deep Tissue Massage. All of their horses receive chiropractic adjustments as often as needed, as well as prerace stretches and nightly massages.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 20th, Rookie year
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 2
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 20th (2017)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 17th
2016 - 25th
2015 - 24th
2014 - 27th
2013 - 29th
Evan Salmond
Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan
July 9, 1981
Evan Salmond is back for his fifth appearance at the Calgary Stampede since his rookie year in 2013, and he’s looking forward to once again guiding his wagon around the track in front of the big Stampede crowd. Like many drivers, Chuckwagon racing is in Evan’s blood - he is a 2nd generation driver who began his racing career driving pony chuckwagons. In the off season, when he isn’t caring for his horses or searching for the next equine superstar, Evan is a harness maker and also works in the forestry industry.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 16th
2016 - 10th
2015 - 21st
2014 - Did not attend
2013 - 32nd - Rookie Year
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 10th (2016)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 11th
2016 - 19th
2015 - 5th
2014 - 14th
2013 - 25th
Kirk Sutherland
Grande Prairie, Alberta
September 9, 1956
Kirk Sutherland is coming into the 2018 GMC Rangeland Derby eager to regain the title of Calgary Stampede Champion that he was awarded in two years ago after steering his horses safely and swiftly around an extremely muddy track in the final heat of 2016. Kirk also captured the Aggregate, known as the Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award, as well as the SNC Lavalin Safety Award in Calgary in 2016. After forty remarkable years as a driver, it is clear Kirk hasn’t lost his passion for horses. He says a good horse is like a good driver; learns to relax and loves competition!
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 35th
2016 - 1st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby, Aggregate Champion & SNC Lavalin Safety Award
2015 - 29th
2014 - 35th
2013 - 3rd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat, SNC Lavalin Safety Award
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 28
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 5
BEST FINISH: -1st (2016)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 13th
2016 - 20th
2015 - 2nd
2014 - 1st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver
2013 - 2nd
Mark Sutherland
Okotoks, Alberta
February 24, 1971
Mark Sutherland has finished just out of the top four the last two years at the Calgary Stampede, and in 2018 he aims to top that. A two–time winner of the Stampede’s Safe Drive Award for least penalized driver, Mark is also the reigning champion ofHigh River’s Guy Weadick Days. Son of twelve-time Calgary Stampede Champion Kelly Sutherland, Mark credits the time spent with his father both on and off the track for getting him where he is today. He says it’s more than just training and travelling together, but also about setting goals and expectations. Mark’s favourite part about the sport of chuckwagon racing is the horses and the powerful bonds he builds with them, describing himself as their scout, trainer, coach and teammate., Mark also believes in the power of giving back to the community, and annually hosts a charity poker tournament.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 18th
2016 - 6th
2015 - 6th - Semi Finalist
2014 - 19th
2013 - 14th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 19
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 1
BEST FINISH: 3rd (2009)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 14th
2016 - 7th
2015 - 14th
2014 - 15th
2013 - 15th
Mitch Sutherland
Grande Prairie, Alberta
March 3, 1978
Mitch heads into the 2018 season full steam ahead after three top ten finishes on the WPCA tour in 2017. A part of the Sutherland racing family, Mitch qualified for his first Championship Sunday final heat at the Calgary Stampede in 2016, where he came second to his father, Kirk. When it comes to favourites on his team, Mitch points to a left leader he calls Smoky. He says the gentle, quiet horse may be small in stature, but he outworks every other horse, every time. Sport has always been a big part of Mitch’s life, with football preceding his chuckwagon racing career. Fun fact – Mitch was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 13th
2016 - 3rd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2015 - 13th
2014 - Did not attend
2013 - 33rd - Rookie Year
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 1
BEST FINISH: 3rd (2016)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 24th
2016 - 27th
2015 - 19th
2014 - 23rd
2013 - 27th
Luke Tournier
Duck Lake, Saskatchewan
May 11, 1963
2017 was a successful year for Luke Tournier, and he looks to keep up the momentum in 2018. Luke is the reigning champion of the WPCA stop in Medicine Hat, and is also a two–time Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion and a two–time Calgary Stampede Aggregate winner.
Like many drivers, chuckwagon racing is a family affair for Luke. He enjoys a large team of family and friends around him throughout the racing season, and is the father-in-law of fellow driver Logan Gorst.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 21st
2016 - 8th - Semi Finalist
2015 - 7th
2014 - 4th - Semi Finalist
2013 - 27th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 26
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 2
BEST FINISH: 1st (2007 and 2005)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 9th
2016 - 1st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver
2015 - 6th
2014 - 7th
2013 - 7th/8th - WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year
Chanse Vigen
Grande Prairie, Alberta
May 14, 1984
Heading into last year’s Calgary Stampede, Chanse noted that the highlight of his racing career was his Rookie year in 2013 where he finished 5th, but it is fair to say last year’s start in the Championship Sunday Final Heat and 3rd place finish overall may have topped that! His right wheel horse Slick was named to the 2017 Stampede Equine of Excellence Outfit. His success in 2017 didn’t stop at Stampede, with three top ten finishes on the WPCA tour. Passionate about the care of his horses, Chanse says there is no race or financial earnings more important than their well-being. Their will and heart to compete, along with their strength and athleticism are what Chanse loves the most about his horses, and he says it’s also what makes them unique.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 3rd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat
2016 - 33rd
2015 - 22nd
2014 - 26th
2013 - 5th - Orville Strandquist Memorial Award (Top Rookie Driver) – Semi Finalist
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 6 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 2
BEST FINISH: 3rd (2017)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 28th
2016 - 20th
2015 - 31st
2014 - 26th
2013 - 23rd
Mike Vigen
Grande Prairie, Alberta
April 22, 1959
In 2018, Mike will again take his place to race against his son and 34 other extremely talented drivers at the GMC Rangeland Derby. Referred to affectionately as the ‘Little Grizzly’, Mike is a fierce competitor with a drive to win. He is the son of three–time GMC Rangeland Derby Champion, Ralph Vigen, and the father of fellow driver Chance Vigen. A former championship winning GMC Rangeland Derby outrider, Mike is no stranger to success on the Stampede track. He won the Calgary Stampede’s Safe Drive Award for the Least Penalized Driver in 1998, and captured the Orville Strandquist Award for the Top Rookie Driver in 1993.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 27th
2016 - 23rd
2015 - 18th - Semi Finalist
2014 - 22nd
2013 - Did not attend
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 21
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 13th (2006)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 20th
2016 - 13th
2015 - 30th
2014 - 25th
2013 - 11th
John Walters
Delburne, Alberta
March 29, 1963
John Walters is competing at his seventh Calgary Stampede after a fantastic 2017 racing season. He is the reigning champion of both the Bonnyville and Dawson Creek stops on the WPCA Circuit, and is notably the only driver to run penalty free for the entire 2017 racing season across both the WPCA and CPCA circuits. His right lead horse Dancer was also named to the 2017 Stampede Equine of Excellence Outfit during the GMC Rangeland Derby last summer. Prior to driving chuckwagons, John competed for over 20 years in Saddle Bronc Riding and Steer Wrestling. As it is with many families, chuckwagon racing is in the blood in the Walters family. John’s father raced for a number of years, and his brother Ken Walters is a driver on the CPCA circuit.
CALGARY STAMPEDE GMC RANGELAND DERBY STANDINGS
2017 - 15th
2016 - 7th - Semi Finalist
2015 - 11th
2014 - 21st
2013 - 19th
NUMBER OF GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 7 Consecutive
NUMBER OF CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY FINAL HEAT APPEARANCES: 0
BEST FINISH: 7th (2016)
WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
2017 - 2nd
2016 - 5th
2015 - 10th
2014 - 19th
2013 - 13th
