It’s a hard life, and a dangerous one, too. For a little more than a minute, chuckwagon drivers and outriders thunder down a track, hoofs flying, dirt spraying, sometimes mere inches from one another to see who crosses the finish line first. While the race is short, preparation is daylong. The Herald’s Leah Hennel spent time behind the scenes with the chuckwagon crews.
A cowboy gets in a few mid-day winks in a quiet corner at the chuckwagon barns before the start of the races during the Calgary Stampede.
Barn hand Boyd Collins does some work to Rae Croteau Jr.’s wagon at the chuckwagon barns before the start of the GMC Rangeland Derby.
A cowboy does some chores in the chuckwagon barns.
Rae Croteau Jr. races to the finish line during heat six of the GMC Rangeland Derby.
Mitchell McDermid, 9, helps out with the barn chores.
Barn hand Boyd Collins cleans the wheels of Rae Croteau Jr.’s wagon before the start of the GMC Rangeland Derby.