Kelly’s drive for five

Times Reporter   

 

He holds the record for most chuckwagon wins at the Strathmore Stampede, and this year he added another to his total. Kelly Sutherland had the top aggregate standing after four days of competition, winning the buckle and cash prize for his fifth time in Strathmore.

Sutherland’s grandson Dayton was his outrider on Sunday night, as Casey Knight, Kelly’s typical outrider, was injured. Sutherland has previously won the Calgary Stampede, and is also a 12-time World Champion.

Kelly’s brother Kirk finished fourth in the Championship Monday round, behind Jerry Bremner in third, and Ray Croteau Jr. in second.

“We were pretty excited to be racing,” said Jessica Hoy a World Professional Chuckwagon Association public relations representative. “This was probably the best weather we’ve had from any of our stops.”

It was sunshine all weekend, until the last round; heavy rains made the finals challenging (and entertaining) for the teams.

“The weather was not bad because it gave us through until the last heat and a half,” said Rodeo Chairman Pascal Del Guercio. “If that happened every year, I’d be very happy.”

During Saturday’s race, Luke Tournier’s chuckwagon flipped, leaving him with a broken ankle. Originally slated for surgery, doctors have decided it will not be necessary.

“He’s just going to get an air cast, be on crutches for two weeks, and then they will re-X-ray,” said Hoy.

Tournier was originally racing for Doug Irvine, who is out with a hand injury. Thankfully, Irvine’s animals were all safe after the accident.

“They’re fine. The horses were all 100 per cent, they all walked back to the barn,” said Del Guercio.