That time I went to Canada Part 3: The Chucks

7 July 2007

If you have not been to a Chuck Wagon race, or worse, never heard of a Chuck Wagon race, drop what you are doing, drive to Canada and find one.

A chuckwagon is the wagon that carried food and supplies across the prairies in the US and Canada to feed settlers and cowboys. The "Chuck", generally consisting of beans, salted meat, potatoes and biscuits, was easy to prepare for large groups of people and generally did not go bad on the way. As a celebration of the Chuckwagons, the Calgary Stampede's main event every night is the Chuckwagon Races.


In a chuckwagon race, a chuckwagon, pulled by four horses, is loaded with the tent posts and stove that is set outside the wagon. Once loaded by the outriders, the wagon must race around barrels making a figure 8, then once around the track to the finish all without losing the tent posts or stove. The outriders that load the wagon must mount their horses and finish the race as a team with the wagon.

The Calgary Stampede is kind like the Super Bowl of the chuckwagon racing circuit. The big show. And we had a front row spot right along the rail. My favorite part about outdoor live music is when you can feel the bass drum in your chest. In the same way I liked being able to feel the beat of the thundering hooves. Dale, Kathleen and I bet would bet a loonie or a toonie on each race. Dale ended up winning it all, but the jokes on him. It was his money.

I enjoy horse racing of all sorts, but this may be my favorite. I think it is the team aspect of it, the four horses and the driver and the outriders as well as having to finish the race together. It makes for a lot more to watch than most other types of horse racing that may have to rely on a back story to build excitement.