Todd Baptiste Auction Order #32

Transcription

1 Todd Baptiste Auction Order #32 Birth Date: July 17, 1974 Residence: Cando, Saskatchewan Coming off what he describes as his best season as a Chuckwagon driver, Todd Baptiste is excited to be returning to racing at the Calgary Stampede in His successes last year on the CPCA circuit include finishing third in the standings and having his horse Angelic Fiddler named to the association s Equine Outfit of Excellence. 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 Did Not Compete Did Not Compete Did Not Compete Did Not Compete GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 4 BEST FINISH: 15th (2008) rd th th th Chance Bensmiller Auction Order #23 Birth Date: November 5, 1985 Residence: Dewberry, Alberta Follow Chance on Chance Bensmiller will be driving in his third Calgary Stampede in The youngest son of three-time Calgary Stampede Champion Buddy Bensmiller, and brother to two-time Champ Kurt Bensmiller, Chance is making an impact of his own in the sport. His 2016 racing season was a solid one, where he captured the title during the CPCA stop in his hometown of Dewberry, Alberta. When not caring for his horses, including shoeing them himself, Chance can often be found at the hockey rink. He and brother Kurt were members of the 2009 Allan Cup winning Bentley Generals, proudly bringing one of Canada s oldest national championships home to Alberta th Did Not Compete th - Rookie Year GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 3 BEST FINISH: 27th (2016) th th th th th Kurt Bensmiller Auction Order #5 Birth Date: May 1, 1983 Residence: Dewberry, Alberta Follow Kurt on As a semi-finalist in 2016, Kurt Bensmiller came extremely close to winning three GMC Rangeland Derby Championships in a row. While unable to clinch a third championship in Calgary, he did earn the title of Grande Prairie Stompede Champion in 2016, and made the final in Medicine Hat on the WPCA circuit. Kurt points to one special horse, a 19 year left leader named Ace as one of his favourites. Ace has been on all but one of his championship outfits, and Kurt calls him an amazing animal who just loves racing. Ace isn t the only one who loves racing; Kurt says 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 th - Semi Finalist st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby & Aggregate Champion st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion th - Semi Finalist th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 16 Consecutive NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 3 BEST FINISH: 1st (2015), 1st (2014), 3rd (2011), 6th (2013) rd st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver nd th th Page 1

2 Colt Cosgrave Auction Order #20 Birth Date: November 4, 1978 Residence: Craigmyle, Alberta Fourth generation wagon driver Colt Cosgrave has twenty years of experience under his belt, and a brand new buckle on it after winning the Championship at the 2016 Ponoka Stampede. Colt believes patience is key when working with his horses, and was honoured this past year for the success of his right leader, Cujo, who was named to the WPCA s Equine Outfit of Excellence. Colt is the cousin of fellow driver Jason Glass, and older brother to outrider Chad Cosgrave. The Calgary Stampede s Aggregate award, The Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award, is named after Colt s late father th rd nd th th - Semi Finalist GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 10 BEST FINISH: 11th (2016) th th st st th Troy Dorchester Auction Order #26 Birth Date: December 6, 1972 Residence: Westerose, Alberta 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. In 2016 that included cheering him on as he travelled the WPCA s circuit, where he raced to several day money wins and the final four at the Grande Prairie Stompede th th th th st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion & Aggregate Winner GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 19 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 3 BEST FINISH: 1st (2012), 3rd (2000), 5th (1999), 7th (2010) rd st th - WPCA Clean Drive Award th th Dallas Dyck Auction Order #28 Birth Date: January 16, 1977 Residence: Dewberry, Alberta Follow Dallas on 2017 will be Dallas Dyck s third time driving at the Calgary Stampede after enjoying his rookie year in Dallas finished in the CPCA s top eight this past season and looks to best that this season. In caring for his horses, Dallas says he and his wife Lexi strongly believe in the use of magnetic blankets and leg wraps, using them for advanced therapy. He also works to make his horses comfortable by focusing on little details like talking to them when he s in the barn, and leaving music on for them when he s not around th th - Rookie Year GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 3 Consecutive BEST FINISH: 26th (2015) th th th th th Page 2

3 Chad Fike Auction Order #30 Birth Date: May 13, 1988 Residence: Cremona, Alberta Follow Chad on One of the youngest drivers at the Calgary Stampede, Chad Fike won the Orville Strandquist Award for top rookie driver in This past season the WPCA honoured him with the Herman Flad Memorial Award for most improved driver, and 2017 looks to be a great year for him. 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. 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. Jordie Fike Auction Order #31 Birth Date: May 2, 1987 Residence: High River, Alberta Follow Jordie on 2017 will be Jordie Fike s fifth 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 th - Orville Strandquist Memorial Award (Top Rookie Driver) st GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 2 BEST FINISH: 20th (2015) th rd nd th - WPCA Top Rookie Driver Award th th th th Demonstration Driver GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5 BEST FINISH:15th (2015) 16th (2014) 23rd (2011) th th th nd th Darcy Flad Auction Order #14 Birth Date: October 28, 1970 Residence: Bodo, Alberta Follow Darcy on Darcy Flad is excited to be back racing at the Calgary Stampede after achieving a career high 14th place finish in the standings in last year s competition. Darcy has been driving competitively since 2004, and is the son of former Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion Herman Flad. This year he will be racing against his brother Troy, who is also among the 36 drivers invited to compete in When not working with his chuckwagon horses, Darcy is caring for the other animals on his ranch. He also enjoys rodeo and team roping in his spare time th Did Not Compete Did Not Compete Did Not Compete GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 4 BEST FINISH: 14th (2016) 15th (2011) th th st th th Page 3

4 Troy Flad Auction Order #33 Birth Date: January 15, 1975 Residence: Warburg, Alberta Follow Troy on With more than 25 years as a competitive chuckwagon driver, Troy Flad brings a wealth of experience to the Calgary Stampede will be Troy s sixth time racing in Calgary, and he is looking forward to once again guiding his horses around the Stampede Track. A second generation chuckwagon driver, Troy is the son of Calgary Stampede Champion Herman Flad and brother to fellow driver Darcy Flad. As well as caring for their many chuckwagon horses, in the off-season Troy and his family ranch and farm at the home in central Alberta Did Not Compete Did Not Compete Did Not Compete Did Not Compete GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 6 BEST FINISH: 26th (2003) th th th st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver th Rick Fraser Auction Order #10 Birth Date: October 28, 1959 Residence: Wetaskiwin, Alberta Follow Rick on Rick Fraser is always a fierce competitor on the Calgary Stampede track and in 2017 will be racing in his 19th consecutive 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 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 th th - Semi Finalist th - Semi Finalist nd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 19 Consecutive NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 4 BEST FINISH: 2nd (2013), 3rd (2003), 4th (2009, 2007, 2002), 7th (2014, 2011) th th th st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver th Jason Glass Auction Order #3 Birth Date: December 15, 1970 Residence: High River, Alberta Jason Glass is consistently one of the top competitors at the Calgary Stampede. In the running for a Rangeland Derby Championship four out of the past five years, Jason and his team captured the title in At the 2016 Stampede, Jason was once again in the final heat, and his left lead horse Smoky was named to the Equine Outfit of Excellence. 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 nd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th nd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat & Aggregate Winner st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion & Aggregate Winner rd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 27 Consecutive NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 10 BEST FINISH:1st (2013), 2nd (2016, 2014, 2010), 3rd (2012) th th rd th st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Page 4

5 Dustin Gorst Auction Order #35 Birth Date: April 23, 1986 Residence: Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan Follow Dustin on Dustin Gorst is one of two rookie drivers competing at the Calgary Stampede for the first time in While Dustin may be new to competition in Calgary as a driver, he does have extensive experience on the Stampede track as an accomplished outrider and as one of two demonstration drivers in Dustin was honoured by his racing association, the WPCA, with the Clean Drive Award after taking just four penalty seconds all season long. Chuckwagon racing is a family sport for the Gorsts and Dustin will be racing against both his father Gary and brother Logan in Calgary. 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. Gary Gorst Auction Order #7 Birth Date: January 31, 1955 Residence: Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan Follow Gary on Gary Gorst is coming into the 2017 Stampede following an impressive 2016 racing season with many high points. Included among them, a championship win at the Strathmore Heritage Days, making the semi-finals at the Calgary Stampede and having his right wheel horse Tommy named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence. Referring to him affectionately as Big Tommy, Gary says the horse is a standout that works hard and is a pleasure to handle. For the first time in 2017 both of Gary s sons, Logan and Dustin, will both be competing in Calgary as drivers. 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 Demonstration Driver GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 1 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 9 BEST FINISH: nd th th - Rookie Year th - Semi Finalist th - Semi Finalist th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th - Semi Finalist th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 19 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 2 BEST FINISH: 4th (2015, 2012), 5th (2010), 6th (2014) nd th th th th Logan Gorst Auction Order #16 Birth Date: April 18, 1982 Residence: Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan Follow Logan Gorst on Chuckwagon Logan Gorst will once again be in the hunt for a spot in the championship race at the 2017 Calgary Stampede. His seventh appearance to date, Logan will not only race with his father and brother at the Calgary Stampede in 2017, 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 th rd Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th Demonstration Driver rd GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 7 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 1 BEST FINISH: 3rd (2015) 12th (2016, 2014) th th th th rd Page 5

6 Chad Harden Auction Order #9 Birth Date: August 21, 1970 Residence: Thorsby, Alberta Follow Chad on 2017 will be Chad Harden s 17th consecutive year racing at the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby. Through the 2016 racing season Chad guided his team to a championship at the Battle of the Rockies in Rocky Mountain House, made the final four in the Dawson Creek s Battle of the North and had his right lead horse, Wild, named to the Stampede s Equine Outfit of Excellence. Chad, a third generation driver, 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 In the off-season Chad Harden works as a hockey scout, using his hockey knowledge as well as his team building skills to help spot and place great young players th th th th th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 17 Consecutive NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 1 BEST FINISH: 1st (2009), 4th (2011) th th th th th Barry Hodgson Auction Order #34 Birth Date: March 9, 1961 Residence: Wetaskiwin, Alberta 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 made the move after fifteen years in the WPCA circuit to the CPCA in 2016, finishing in seventh place at the end of the season. 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 Did Not Compete Demonstration Driver th th 2012 Did Not Compete GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS:5 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: BEST FINISH: 2nd (2012) 8th (2015) nd nd nd th th Doug Irvine Auction Order #25 Birth Date: August 8, 1975 Residence: LaCorey, Alberta Doug Irvine is looking for another strong performance from his horses in 2017 at the GMC Rangeland Derby, after a successful 2016 season. Doug raced his team to the championship at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, and his left lead horse Gage was named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence. 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. Doug Irvine s first introduction to chuckwagon racing was through his father, who builds wheels for those in the sport. Doug 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 th th th th nd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 14 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 1 BEST FINISH: 2nd (2012) 8th (2015) th th th th st Page 6

7 Jamie Laboucane Auction Order #17 Birth Date: December 16, 1986 Residence: St. Walburg, Saskatchewan Follow Jamie on Jamie Laboucane is looking forward to his seventh consecutive appearance at the Calgary Stampede since his rookie year in Jamie has consistently been extremely competitive at the Calgary Stampede, making it into the semi-final in 2015, and being given the Safety Award that same year. This past season, Jamie raced in the CPCA s championship heat, ending the season in fourth place, and had his right wheel horse Bournetoo named to the CPCA s Equine Outfit of Excellence. Like all drivers, Jamie works hard to ensure his horses are in top shape. Among the caregivers Jamie hires to keep his horses feeling their best are a chiropractor, osteopath and masseuse st th - Semi Finalist rd th Injured, outfit driven by Doug Irvine /7th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 7 Consecutive BEST FINISH: 6/7th (2012), 7th (2013) th th th th th - CPCA All Around Champion Layne MacGillivray Auction Order #19 Birth Date: May 22, 1975 Residence: Halkirk, Alberta Follow Layne on 2017 will once again see Layne MacGillivray drive 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 Layne has also had success as an outrider in Calgary, winning the Championship with driver Hugh Sinclair in 2000 and 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 th th th Did Not Compete nd GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 13 BEST FINISH: 8th (2014) 22nd (2012) rd th th th th Codey McCurrach Auction Order #15 Birth Date: September 17, 1974 Residence: Condor, Alberta Follow Codey on Codey McCurrach is excited to be returning to his favourite place to race, the Calgary Stampede, in 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 th th Demonstration Driver rd th - Orville Strandquist Memorial Award (Top Rookie Driver) GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5 BEST FINISH: 12th (2015) 16th (2012) th th th - Herman Flad Memorial Award (WPCA Most Improved Driver) st th - WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year Page 7

8 Ray Mitsuing Auction Order #18 Birth Date: September 12, 1953 Residence: Loon Lake, Saskatchewan The 2017 GMC Rangeland Derby will be veteran driver Ray Mitsuing s 34th consecutive year of racing at the Calgary Stampede. As always, Ray was a strong competitor in 2016 both at the Stampede and within his association, the CPCA. For the second year in a row, 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. 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 th th th th rd GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 34 Consecutive NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 2 BEST FINISH: 3rd (1992, 1988), 4th (1991), 5th (2014) st - CPCA Champion & CPCA High Point Driver st - CPCA Champion & CPCA High Point Driver th th th Kris Molle Auction Order #22 Birth Date: March 8, 1978 Residence: Chauvin, Alberta Follow Kris on Coming off a strong 2016 season, Kris Molle is ready to race at the Calgary Stampede in Kris missed the CPCA s High Point award by just.5 and won three championships on the circuit, in North Battleford, Frog Lake and Wainwright. He also had his left lead horse Makis Monarch 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. Roger Moore Auction Order #12 Birth Date: December 31, 1965 Residence: Loon Lake, Saskatchewan Follow Roger on 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 th th th - Calgary Stampede s Orville Strandquist Award for Top Rookie Driver GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 4 BEST FINISH: 27th (2014) nd nd th th th - CPCA Most Improved Driver th th th Did Not Compete th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 17 BEST FINISH: 10th (2015) 12th (2011) 13th (2014) th th th th th th Page 8

9 Obrey Motowylo Auction Order #21 Birth Date: July 1, 1972 Residence: Bluffton, Alberta 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 9th 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 Motowylo has qualified twice for the GMC Rangeland Derby s Semi Final Saturday. In 2017 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 the horses to excel at what they love to do run th th th th th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 9 Consecutive BEST FINISH: 13th (2011) 15th (2014, 2010) th rd th th th/21st Vern Nolin Auction Order #4 Birth Date: March 1, 1973 Residence: Dewberry, Alberta After a very strong showing at the 2015 Calgary Stampede, Vern Nolin is ready to take another run at the championship in In 2015, Vern qualified for the championship race for the first time in his career, and ran completely penalty free the full 10 days of Stampede. Vern considers his horses high-performance athletes and works to make them follow 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. Vern Nolin because 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. Cody Ridsdale Auction Order #36 Birth Date: April 30, 1987 Residence: Grimshaw, Alberta Cody Ridsdale is one of two rookie drivers at the Calgary Stampede in 2017, and is thrilled to be joining 35 other very talented drivers on the track. Competing at the Stampede has been Cody s goal since he began driving competitively 14 years ago, and calls the invitation to drive in 2017 a game changer for him. 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 th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th st th - Semi Finalist GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 14 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 2 BEST FINISH: 5th (2015, 2012), 8th (2011) th th rd nd - CPCA Finals Dash Champion st - CPCA Champion & CPCA High Point Driver GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 1 BEST FINISH: th th th th th Page 9

10 Evan Salmond Auction Order #13 Birth Date: July 9, 1981 Residence: Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan Follow Evan on Evan Salmond is back for his fourth 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. Evan 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 th st nd - Rookie Year GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 4 BEST FINISH: 21st (2015) 32nd (2013) th th th th rd Herman Flad Memorial Award (Most Improved Driver) Kelly Sutherland Auction Order #29 Birth Date: October 29, 1951 Residence: Grande Prairie, Alberta After an incredible 45 years of racing at the Calgary Stampede, Kelly Sutherland will compete for the final time in A twelve time Calgary Stampede Champion, Kelly has qualified for the Dash for the Cash a remarkable 21 times in his career, and has captured the Stampede Aggregate title six times. Always a fierce competitor, he looks to make that final heat one more time in hopes of capturing Calgary Stampede Championship number thirteen. A mentor for many younger drivers, Kelly will once again be racing against his son Mark at the Stampede. His grandson Dayton is now following in his footsteps as an outrider and driver in the sport th nd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th th th - Guy Weadick Memorial Award GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 45 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 21 BEST FINISH: 1st (2011, 2010, 2002, 2001) 2nd (2015) th th th th/8th th/21st Kirk Sutherland Auction Order #1 Birth Date: September 9, 1956 Residence: Grande Prairie, Alberta Kirk Sutherland is the reigning Calgary Stampede Champion, crowned after steering his horses safely and swiftly around an extremely muddy track in the final heat of Kirk also captured the Aggregate, known as the Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award, as well as the SNC Lavalin Safety Award in Calgary in 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! st - Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby, Aggregate Champion & SNC Lavalin Safety Award nd th rd - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat, SNC Lavalin Safety Award th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 26 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 5 BEST FINISH: 1st (2016), 3rd (2013), 4th (2010, 2008, 1987, 1984) th nd st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver nd nd Page 10

11 Mark Sutherland Auction Order #8 Birth Date: February 24, 1971 Residence: Okotoks, Alberta Follow Mark on Mark Sutherland has finished just out of the top four the last two years at the Calgary Stampede, and in 2017 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 of High 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 th th - Semi Finalist th th th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 18 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 1 BEST FINISH: 5th (2007), 6th (2016, 2015, 2009), 7th (2006, 2008) th th th th th Mitch Sutherland Auction Order #2 Birth Date: March 3, 1978 Residence: Grande Prairie, Alberta Follow Mitch on The 2016 Calgary Stampede was a great one for Mitch Sutherland, with 2017 shaping up to follow suit. Mitch qualified for the Championship Sunday final heat for the first time in his career, but lost out to his father, Kirk. The strength of his barn was clear in 2016, and Mitch s left wheel horse Boomer was acknowledged for his abilities when he was named to the 2016 Calgary Stampede Equine Outfit of Excellence. When it comes to favourites, 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. Luke Tournier Auction Order #11 Birth Date: May 11, 1963 Residence: Duck Lake, Saskatchewan Follow Luke on 2016 was a winning year for Luke Tournier, and he looks to keep up the momentum in Luke was a semifinalist at the Calgary Stampede, and drove to championships at two other races, Bonnyville and the Battle of the North. His results in those races as well as others throughout the season earned Luke the title of 2016 World Champion Chuckwagon Driver, and his outrider horse, Brock, was named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence. Luke is a two time Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion and a two time Calgary Stampede Aggregate winner th - Qualified For Championship Sunday Final Heat th rd - Rookie Year GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 4 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 1 BEST FINISH: 4th (2016), 13th (2015), 33rd (2013) th th rd th th th - Semi Finalist th th - Semi Finalist th th - Semi Finalist GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 25 NUMBER OF WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL APPEARANCES: 2 BEST FINISH: 1st (2007, 2005), 2nd (2004), 4th (2014, 1996), 6th (2011) st - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver th th th/8th - WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year th Page 11

12 Chanse Vigen Auction Order #24 Birth Date: May 14, 1984 Residence: Calgary, Alberta Follow Chanse on Chanse Vigen calls his rookie season at the Calgary Stampede the highlight of his career so far, but would love to see success in 2017 that could change that. In 2013, Chanse was awarded the Stampede s Orville Strandquist Memorial Award for Top Rookie Driver, and was also a semi-finalist that year. 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 rd nd th th - Orville Strandquist Memorial Award (Top Rookie Driver) Semi Finalist GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 5 Consecutive BEST FINISH: 5th (2013) th st th rd th - WPCA Top Rookie Driver Mike Vigen Auction Order #27 Birth Date: April 22, 1959 Residence: Grande Prairie, Alberta In 2017, 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 rd th - Semi Finalist nd Did Not Compete th GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 20 BEST FINISH: 18th (2015) 22nd (2014), 26th (2010) th th th th th John Walters Auction Order #6 Birth Date: March 29, 1963 Residence: Delburne, Alberta John Walters is competing at his sixth Calgary Stampede after a fantastic 2016 racing season. John drove his team to a position in the semi-final, his top finish to date at the Calgary Stampede. And he had many other successes to celebrate. His outrider horse Whitey was named to the Calgary Stampede s Equine Outfit of Excellence, and right Wheeler Tommy to the WPCA s Outfit of Excellence. John also made the final four at the Grande Prairie Stompede in 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 th - Semi Finalist th st th th - Rookie Year GMC RANGELAND DERBY STARTS: 6 Consecutive BEST FINISH: 7th (2016), 11th (2015), 8th (2012) th th th th th Page 12