Ridsdale clinches first-ever WPCA victory
Cody Ridsdale was ready to pack it in after another weekend on the track when he heard the news — he’d finally become a World Professional Chuckwagon Association champion.
The 31-year-old Edmonton product crossed the finish line exactly one second behind John Walters in Sunday’s main event at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, but a late outrider paved the way to his first-ever championship — and in an instant, the emotions came flowing in.“It was 10 times better than what I expected. Just goose bumps. I was just ecstatic as soon as I heard,” said Ridsdale, who ended up tying with Walters at 1:02.69, but won the tiebreaker by having a clean run. “When I heard (Walters) had the late outrider we went crazy back there. It was super exciting for the whole team and we’re all proud of the horses. They worked very well.”
It’s been a long road to the top for Ridsdale, who is now in his 11th season as a member of the WPCA. Alongside outriders Casey Knight and Chance Flad, Ridsdale worked his way into the top three for the first time in his career with an impressive three-day performance in the Gas City.
“It’s kind of like the monkey off the back,” said Ridsdale. “We kept working hard and never gave up. It’s also good to have great outriders behind you that get the job done and great sponsors that get you down the road.”
After winning Thursday’s opener against Evan Salmond and Kurt Bensmiller with a time of 1:03.82, Ridsdale repeated the feat in 1:04.80 Friday and 1:02.56 Sunday to finish third in the aggregate and punch his ticket into Sunday’s Dash for Cash.
“It’s a long week. There’s 36 great drivers here so it’s very hard to even get in the top 10,” said Ridsdale. “Even if you’re in the top 20 you should be happy, but to compete and make the top three is very hard, and a great accomplishment for myself, all my horses, my team and my sponsors.” Walters — who won the Medicine Hat WPCA event in 2015 — settled for second despite registering the top time both Thursday and Friday, while Cody McCurrach took third with a time of 1:05.73. Bensmiller clocked in with Sunday’s top time after winning the 11th heat in a time of 1:02.11 The WPCA moves on to High River this weekend.