SUNDRE – There were some thrilling photo finishes Sunday during the third and final performances of the Bulls and Wagons chuckwagon races.
And despite some clouds, the sky on the afternoon of Aug. 25 was largely blue and the sun shone bright with a light breeze making for conditions that were essentially perfect for the event’s windup.
“The weather was good, which helps, but our community of Sundre I want to give a huge shoutout to; the support’s phenomenal,” said Dale Young, an organizer with the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association as well as one of the chuckwagon drivers on the docket.
“The volunteers that do all the behind-the-scenes stuff that make this event happen, you can’t thank them enough,” Young told the Albertan on Sunday evening after the show, adding there were several groups of volunteer teams tackling different tasks such as the beer gardens, concession, clean-up, and ticket sales.
“They’re an awesome group of people,” he said, adding there was also a great crowd to boot.
Volunteer organizer Jenn Anderson said the estimated number of people who came through the gates over the span of three days from Aug. 23-25 was about 1,700, which she added was consistent with last year.
The races were sanctioned by the Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association while the World Professional Bull Riders Association brought out the hard-bucking action. Northcott Rodeo delivered some of the highest-quality stock in the business while McIntyre Contracting stepped up as the main event sponsor, said Young, adding there were plenty of others who made it all possible.
“Without our sponsors, none of these rodeo events happen,” he said.
Fans also had the chance to walk away with a big payout without having to face off against behemoth bulls that bucked a number of top-notch contenders, some of whom came a mere second from managing to endure the rough eight-second ride. The 50-50 pool ended up tallying up at more than $1,100 for the winner, with the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association receiving an equal amount.
“That helps put on the event,” said Young.
As a driver, who once the dust settled on Sunday following the third and final chuckwagon races found himself in second place, he said the competition was tough.
“I could’ve done better,” he said with a chuckle.
“I took a couple barrel penalties which cost me. But my daughter actually won the chariots, and my son did really well in the chariots as well,” he said, referring to Taya Young who took the championship title for the chariots, as well as Daxton Young who also performed admirably.
“So I’m super proud. And of course, it’s great fun running at your home town – you know there’s a lot of people in the stands that know you and they’re cheering for you.”
Young said that while he’s already looking forward to another chance at winning next year, this season’s circuit still wasn’t quite over yet. This coming weekend, he planned to compete in Patricia, a hamlet near Drumheller.
“And then Millarville following that wrapping things up,” he added.
But there wasn’t much time for rest in between the upcoming circuit stops, as he was expecting to be back at work by about 5 a.m. on Monday morning.
This year’s event also featured the introduction of mutton busting on all three days, while Saturday morning saw the introduction of demonstrations by members from the Wild Horses of Alberta Society who showed the crowd what some re-homed free-roaming horses have been able to learn.
Winners of the 2024 Bulls and Wagons
• Bronc riding – Hunter Sippola, Cardston
• Bull riding – split between Armando Davillo from Mexico and Nash Loewen from Winfield
• Chariots – Taya Young from Sundre
• Chuckwagons – Linda Shiplet-Hubl from Alhambra
• Mini wild horse racers – Jaxon Coombs and Austin Coombs with Clay Bodell from Sundre
• Mutton busting – Asher Price from Olds
• Wild cow milkers – Chase Soderberg from High River and Nick Bentley from Longview
