The Official Newsletter of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association TURNING THE BARRELS

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com IN THIS ISSUE A HAPPY ENDING The story of how John Walters prized belt buckles were stolen and recovered.

for the big 10-day event. See Page 4 WPCA PRO TOUR TARP AUCTION Results for six Tour stops.

See Page 8 We dedicate this issue to the many generous sponsors who stepped up at the 2015 tarp auctions to

1 Official Truck of the WPCA The Official Newsletter of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association TURNING THE BARRELS April 2015 Volume 4 Issue 29 halfmileofhell.com IN THIS ISSUE A HAPPY ENDING The story of how John Walters prized belt buckles were stolen and recovered. See Page 2 One for the Archives CALGARY STAMPEDE TARP AUCTION Find out who sponsored what driver and for how much for the big 10-day event. See Page 4 WPCA PRO TOUR TARP AUCTION Results for six Tour stops. See Page 6 GRANDE PRAIRIE & DAWSON CREEK TARP AUCTION Results for two elite Tour stops, the Stompede and the Battle of the North. See Page 7 SUPPORTING OUR TOUR STOPS Helping to raise funds in Grande Prairie and Rocky Mountain House. See Page 8 We dedicate this issue to the many generous sponsors who stepped up at the 2015 tarp auctions to support our drivers and the sport of chuckwagon racing. H&E Oilfield Services Ltd. - Wainright, represented here by Larry and Lorraine Semen, showed their support for Obrey Motowylo (pictured here with his wife Angie) at the Calgary Stampede auction with a great bid of $100,000. Photo by Ed Wittchen...AND MORE!

2 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 2 A Happy Ending for the Walters Family: Stolen Prized Buckles Returned One of the worst things to happen to one of our drivers in the off season turned into the feel-good story of the year. John and Bonnie Walters were the victims of a break-in this January. Among the items stolen was John s collection of trophy buckles from his long and successful rodeo and chuckwagon careers. After a few months with no leads on the case, John had given up hope of ever seeing the buckles again. And then he got a phone call. Reporter Johnnie Bachusky picks up the rest of the story. Special thanks to Johnnie and the Innisfail Province for letting us reprint this article, originally published on April 7. WHEN THE PHONE rang at 3pm at John Walters farm on March 30 little did he know a miracle was on its way! I didn t really believe that was true when he first phoned that he had something that belonged to me, said Walters. On the line was Innisfail RCMP Const. Chad Hirtle. He had big news. It was the sort that was going to put one of the biggest smiles on this tough-as-nails cowboy s face, one that had been lost since January 5 when his ranch south of Elnora was burglarized with tens of thousands of dollars worth of property stolen including his prized collection of 28 belt buckles he d won at rodeos and chuckwagon races over the past quarter century. I thought maybe it was my stolen truck, but I was told it was my buckles and I didn t really believe that, said Walters, an established chuckwagon racing star entering his seventh season on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association circuit following a long impressive rodeo career in the Canadian Cowboys Association. It was the day after my birthday. It was a great belated birthday present. John Walters with his impressive trophy belt buckles collection, earned over a long and impressive career in rodeo and chuckwagon racing. Photo by Bonnie Walters We went through the buckles and unwrapped them individually. We laid them on the counter and they were all there. John polished them all and placed them back on the trophy stand, said Walters wife Bonnie. It was such a relief and blessing. After Walters picked the buckles up at the Innisfail RCMP detachment he raced home to give the prized mementos the attention they deserved. What would become even more special was that Easter was just a few days away. Twelve of the couple s grandchildren, 10 under the age of six, would be coming to the ranch. It

TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 3 A Happy Ending for the Walters Family: Stolen Prized Buckles Returned, continued was decided the chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs would have to take a back seat.

3 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 3 A Happy Ending for the Walters Family: Stolen Prized Buckles Returned, continued was decided the chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs would have to take a back seat. We handed them out last night (April 3). That was my intention to give them to our kids and the grandchildren to let them pick buckles out of there, said Walters. (That) night we had them all here. Each one of them was pretty happy to go grab one off the shelf. They walked out of here with a bunch of buckles. The belt buckles were stolen during an early January break-in at his ranch that included the loss of more than 30 separate items. Along with the belt buckles, a 2008 Dodge pickup truck, power tools, cameras, five long guns, ammunition and gun cases were stolen. The case, which was first reported to Three Hills RCMP on January 5, is still being investigated. No suspects have been apprehended. The belt buckles were extra special to Walters and his family, and the cowboy thought they were gone forever, until Hirtle s call on March 30. That day the police officer responded to a call from the Penhold post office to investigate a mysterious black suitcase that was found stuffed in the drop box. The belt buckles were extra special to Walters and his family. When Hirtle arrived at the post office he discovered there was a note with the suitcase that read Saw a scruffy curly haired blond guy in an 02 white Chev extracab toss these in the ditch off the 2A to Penhold someone must miss them! One of John Walters many trophy belt buckles. Photo by Bonnie Walters The note did say they were thrown out of a vehicle on Highway 2A. We have no clue whether or not the person who stole them did that, or whether it was just lucky somebody noticed that these were apparently thrown out of a vehicle. We have no clue what this note is from or who that person was who put them (buckles) there, said Hirtle. Is he a Good Samaritan or is he the guy that stole them and just left that note? Walters believes it s more likely the work of the villain who stole the belt buckles three months ago. I think they thought it would be easier to move them but there really is no market for them. I personally believe the person who took them actually dropped them back off, said Walters. I just think they just wanted to get rid of them, and it was publicized so good that no matter where they showed up it would have been reported.

4 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE Calgary Stampede Tarp Auction IN A YEAR of economic uncertainty, the 2015 Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Canvas Auction still brought in its seventh highest total in the event s 37-year history. A total of $2,782,000 was bid on the 36 participating wagons. It was the fifth consecutive year the Calgary auction crossed over the $2.75 million mark. Of that total, $2,099,500 was bid on the 26 drivers from the 2015 WPCA Pro Tour. Another $682,500 was bid on the 10 drivers scheduled from the CPCA circuit. WPCA drivers made up 8 of the top 10 bids. Defending GMC Rangeland Derby Champion Kurt Bensmiller received the high bid of $170,000 from Tsuu T ina First Nation, which equalled the high bid Jason Glass got in Tsuu T ina actually bid $30,000 more than last year to stay on as Bensmiller s sponsor at this year s Stampede. As with other drivers and sponsors, that is an indication of some of the unique relationships that build over time between drivers and sponsors. The median bid on all 36 wagons was $75,000. That s down $25,000 from the median bid of $100,000 in The low bid was $45,000, which equalled the low bid of 2014 as well. The 2014 Final Four went first at the Calgary Stampede 2015 Auction: Kurt Bensmiller, Rae Croteau, Jason Glass and Gary Gorst. Although this year s auction brought in $760,500 less than last year, the drivers were still pleased that businesses turned out to support the annual event. Last year, MJ s Water Hauling made big news with their top bid of $170,000 to sponsor Jason Glass s wagon. This year the company decided not to even attend the auction. Glass has a new sponsor for 2015 Cowboys Posse put in a bid of $90,000. Drivers were pleased they were able to see results as good as they did in the current economic climate, according to Ed Wittchen, WPCA president. Prior to the auction, drivers were a bit nervous. We really didn t know what to expect. Many people were forecasting lower than the results we got, so the mood afterwards was quite upbeat, he said. Other six-figure bids for this year included Ghostpine Environmental Services at $110,000 to continue on as Kirk Sutherland s sponsor, ATB Financial ($105,000 for Layne MacGillivray), Friends of Jerry Bremner ($100,000 for Jerry Bremner) and H&E Oilfield Services Ltd. ($100,000 for Obrey Motowylo). With files from Billy Melville

TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 5 Results for Calgary Stampede Tarp Auction Driver Sponsor Amount Bid Kurt Bensmiller Tsuu T ina First Nation $170,000 Kirk Sutherland Ghostpine Environmental Services Ltd.

$100,000 Kelly Sutherland Friends of The King $95,000 Jason Glass The Cowboy s Posse $90,000 Doug Irvine B&R Eckel s Transport Ltd.

TOMCO Group/Glover International Trucks $75,000 Luke Tournier National Motor Coach $75,000 Roger Moore The Legends $75,000 Chad Harden Kubota $75,000 Colt Cosgrave High River Autoplex & RV $75,000

5 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 5 Results for Calgary Stampede Tarp Auction Driver Sponsor Amount Bid Kurt Bensmiller Tsuu T ina First Nation $170,000 Kirk Sutherland Ghostpine Environmental Services Ltd. $110,000 Layne MacGillivray ATB Financial $105,000 Jerry Bremner Friends of Jerry Bremner $100,000 Obrey Motowylo H&E Oilfield Services Ltd. $100,000 Kelly Sutherland Friends of The King $95,000 Jason Glass The Cowboy s Posse $90,000 Doug Irvine B&R Eckel s Transport Ltd. $90,000 Troy Dorchester CARSTAR Collision & Glass Service $85,000 Rick Fraser Northwell Oilfield Hauling (2009) Inc. $80,000 Rae Croteau, Jr. TOMCO Group/Glover International Trucks $75,000 Luke Tournier National Motor Coach $75,000 Roger Moore The Legends $75,000 Chad Harden Kubota $75,000 Colt Cosgrave High River Autoplex & RV $75,000 John Walters The Brakeman Foundation $75,000 Mark Sutherland R1 Airlines Ltd. $73,000 Gary Gorst BD&P Put the Boots to Hunger $70,000 Jordie Fike Shaw GMC Chevrolet Buick $70,000 Chanse Vigen Lake Louise Ski Area $70,000 Logan Gorst PCL Construction Management Inc. $65,000 Mitch Sutherland Dahler Pressure Services $65,000 Chad Fike Jimbob Rentals 2000 Ltd. $59,000 Evan Salmond Horsepower Inc. $57,500 Mike Vigen Rae & Company $50,000 Codey McCurrach Osteria de Medici $45,000 Troy and Jen Dorchester with Layne and Loreena MacGillivray at the 2015 Calgary Stampede tarp auction. Jimmi Lou Irvine with sponsors Ruby and Dennis Ringuette from B&R Eckel s Transport. Luke Tournier with National Motor Coach s Denis Tremblay, Murray Lee, Steve Bacovsky, and Glen and Lois Moore.

TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 6 2015 WPCA Pro Tour Tarp Auction: Six Stops in One Shot THE SECOND CANVAS auction for the 2015 professional chuckwagon racing season was on April 7.

Prime advertising space on the wagons of the best 36 chuckwagon drivers in the world was available at stops in Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, High River, Bonnyville, Strathmore and Rocky Mountain House.

New companies also got involved to Be Part of the Action. Saskatoon World Chuckwagon Races Total Amount Bid 2015: $145,050 2014 Total: $174,000 Average Bid: $4,029.

11 High Bid: $9,000 High River Guy Weadick Days Total Amount Bid 2015: $158,000 2014 Total: $182,500 Average Bid: $4,381.

6 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE WPCA Pro Tour Tarp Auction: Six Stops in One Shot THE SECOND CANVAS auction for the 2015 professional chuckwagon racing season was on April 7. This auction covered the bulk of the 2015 WPCA Pro Tour. Prime advertising space on the wagons of the best 36 chuckwagon drivers in the world was available at stops in Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, High River, Bonnyville, Strathmore and Rocky Mountain House. The total of the sale was down $236,450 over the same six locations in Despite the economic challenges this year, loyal tarp sponsors continued to support their favourite drivers. New companies also got involved to Be Part of the Action. Saskatoon World Chuckwagon Races Total Amount Bid 2015: $145, Total: $174,000 Average Bid: $4, High Bid: $10,000 Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Total Amount Bid 2015: $131, Total: $147,250 Average Bid: $3, High Bid: $9,000 High River Guy Weadick Days Total Amount Bid 2015: $158, Total: $182,500 Average Bid: $4, High Bid: $12,500 Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship Total Amount Bid 2015: $195, Total: $255,950 Average Bid: $5, High Bid: $12,500 Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede Total Amount Bid 2015: $163, Total: $208,800 Average Bid: $4, High Bid: $12,500 Battle of the Rockies Total Amount Bid 2015: $174, Total: $235,300 Average Bid: $4, High Bid: $12,500 Dustin and Jaycee Gorst. Adrienne Herron (Alberta Agriculture and RuralDevelopment), Tom Barrow (WPCA GM) and John Lee (WPCA VP). Luke Tournier with Jonah Cimolini, vice president of Val s Drilling, his High River Guy Weadick Days sponsor. Jess Willard and his mom Sharon. Jess will return to wagon racing this season after a nine-year absence.

canvas auction for the 2015 professional chuckwagon season.

in Dawson Creek. This was the first time a standalone auction was held, and those involved considered the evening to be a success.

Just as there was at previous auctions this year, we saw a great mix of new advertisers and longtime loyal tarp sponsors.

Grande Prairie Stompede Total Amount Bid: $238,800 Average Bid: $6,633.

7 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE Grande Prairie and Dawson Creek Tarp Auction Results THE GREAT NORTHERN Casino in Grande Prairie hosted the third chuckwagon canvas auction for the 2015 professional chuckwagon season. This auction, held April 9, represented two of the elite shows on the WPCA Pro Tour: The Grande Prairie Stompede and the Battle of the North in Dawson Creek. This was the first time a standalone auction was held, and those involved considered the evening to be a success. Canvases for the 36 best chuckwagon drivers in the world were up for sale. A number of the canvases were sold before the auction. Just as there was at previous auctions this year, we saw a great mix of new advertisers and longtime loyal tarp sponsors. The combined total of the sale for the two shows was $431,550. That s down $26,450 from the 2014 totals. Grande Prairie Stompede Total Amount Bid: $238,800 Average Bid: $6, High Bid: $15,000 Battle of the North (Dawson Creek) Total Amount Bid: $192,750 Average Bid: $5, High Bid: $15,000 Left: Mitch and Heather Sutherland. Right: Tom Barrow with Troy Flad. Cody Ridsdale and Katrina Berry at the auction sale held at the Great Northern Casino in Grande Prairie. Kelly Sutherland up on the auction block. His Grande Prairie Stompede canvas sponsor will be Kaydee Ranching. Kirk and Kathy Sutherland. Kirk s tarp sponsor for Grande Prairie will be EMCO Corporation.

TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 8 Supporting Our Tour Stops THE WPCA IS pleased to cooperate with and support local committees in their efforts to raise funds to enhance their stop on the Tour.

The Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Association held their Half Mile Gala at the Lou Soppitt Community Centre. Funds raised will go to support the drivers, by means of increased prize money.

8 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 8 Supporting Our Tour Stops THE WPCA IS pleased to cooperate with and support local committees in their efforts to raise funds to enhance their stop on the Tour. Recently the Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Association and the Grande Prairie Heritage Foundation held events that were well supported by drivers, outriders, judges and officials. The Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Association held their Half Mile Gala at the Lou Soppitt Community Centre. Funds raised will go to support the drivers, by means of increased prize money. WPCA track announcer Gary Gross was the MC for the evening and the Boom Chukka Boys, recently named the Association of Country Music in Alberta Group of the Year, provided entertainment. The Hardens at the Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Association Half Mile Gala this spring. The WPCA was well represented by president Ed Wittchen, outrider Chance Flad and drivers Rae Croteau, Jerry Bremner, Chad Harden, Rick Fraser, Obrey Motowylo, John Walters, Layne MacGillivray, Codey McCurrach, Chad Fike and Luke Tournier, many of whom brought their spouses and families. They were all there to support RMCA president Brad Smith and his hard-working committee members. The Grande Prairie Heritage Foundation held its annual Fundraising Gala at Five Mile Hall. The theme was Classic Country. Funds raised from this evening will go to various projects, including the Dash for Cash day at the Grande Prairie Stompede. Luke Tournier and Ed Wittchen at the Half Mile Gala. Photo by Shellie Scott Photography

Billy Melville served as MC for the evening.

Mitch Sutherland, Tyson Graham, Chanse Vigen, Chad Harden and

Congratulations to Heritage Foundation president Justin Tidd and

9 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 9 Supporting Our Tour Stops, continued WPCA radio co-host Billy Melville served as MC for the evening. Drivers in attendance included Kelly Sutherland, Kirk Sutherland, Mitch Sutherland, Tyson Graham, Chanse Vigen, Chad Harden and Rick Fraser. Congratulations to Heritage Foundation president Justin Tidd and the hardworking volunteers of the Grande Prairie Heritage Foundation for hosting a great evening. Clockwise from above, at the Half Mile Gala: 1. Jerry Bremner and Tammy Kristiansen. 2. Sue and Rick Fraser on the dance floor. 3. Brad Smith. 4. The Fikes. 5. The McCurrachs. Photos 1 and 3 by Shellie Scott Photography

Clockwise from above left, at the Grande

Grande Prairie Heritage Foundation president

Chuckwagon Association and Mitch Sutherland. 3.

10 TURNING THE BARRELS! PAGE 10 Supporting Our Tour Stops, continued Clockwise from above left, at the Grande Prairie Heritage Foundation Gala: 1. Grande Prairie Heritage Foundation president Justin Tidd, Dan Boorse, Bernie Benson and Terri Ellen Sudnik. 2. Tyson Graham, Lane Kimble from the Western Chuckwagon Association and Mitch Sutherland. 3. Riley Rycroft and Chanse Vigen. 4. Kelly Sutherland. 5. Barry Smith of Baron Oilfields and Chad Harden. Photos by Billy Melville

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