It is hard to believe that we are already starting to wrap up this year’s Calgary Stampede. already this morning I sent seven horses home to farm. It is such a short tunrover time between here and Bonnyville, so the more rest the horses can get at home, the better.

Although the days have gone by fast, the gruelling demands and extra work that is involved with racing at Calgary has taken its tole on both the horses and the barn crew. The horses, are ready to be turned outside and have some time to themselves. The barn crew has taken full advantage of the Calgary party scene, as well as, working extra hard to keep the horses looking their best. This combination has called for a few extra long afternoon naps.  I have suggested on many occasions that maybe they should go to bed, instead of going out, but they don’t seem to be taking my advice. Oh well! That’s what Calgary is all about.

Chad Harden

Yesterday (Tuesday) was a very busy day. We started chores an hour early (around 6) and by 7 am myself and the barn crew were on our way to the Spartan Controls office (one of my sponsors) for a pancake breakfast. We returned from there and finished chores, just in time to give a barn tour to a group of visitors. Than while the barn crew took in the sites at the midway, I headed off to the children’s hospital with a few of my fellow drivers. It is difficult to go there and see so many precious children in pain.  The kids really look forward to seeing us and I feel like giving these kids a reason to smile is is the least I can do. No matter how bad a race I have, or how bad a day I’m having I am always thankful that my children are all healthy. Everytime I visit the children’s hospital I am reminded of just how lucky I am.

We got a break on Monday night with a clean run and finished 9 for the day. However, last night I was once again plagued with penalities. This time is was the wagon that knocked a barrel. Sometimes even your best team can have a off day. There isn’t much that can be done, but I am considering some different options that I may try.

This sport is anything but consistent which is one of the reasons why I love it. However, it’s the inconsistencies which make it so frustrating. Just when I thought things were going smoothly, a couple of outriding penalties last night have thrown a wrench in things. It is always in the back of mind (and sometimes closer to the front) that as long as I run clean everything will turn out all right.  There is nothing more maddening than finishing a race and then being told that you have outrider penalties.  We changed a few horses around on the outriding team last night, so perhaps that had something to do with it or perhaps there are other issues that need to be addressed. It is hard to say. Day four is a new day and we must move on and hope that we can stay clean for the rest of the show.  

The track was a little muddy Friday but I was happy with my run. I felt quite confident I could out turn Jim Knight, Tim Haroldson and Sean Debolt and I told my outriders that they had better be ready because they were going to have to catch me because I was going to get to the front end. I didn’t make a good turn (Sloppy Barrel Turn). I was driving my son Ryans lead team and I did not drive as well as Ryan. I got to the front end going down the back stretch, I took their heads a bit then sent them down the lane and they flattened out at the wire. Saturday morning we had a track meeting and decided to maintain the track as we have had no complaints from drivers and felt we were seeing some of the best races that had been run in Calgary for years. My wife, daughter, son and Barn Crew are getting things done and a big helps so I can have piece of mind and focus on racing. Going into tonight’s race I drew the 4 barrel, I drove three of the same horses I drove Friday and borrowed a right leader from Brian Laboucane. My plan was to go high on my top barrel, go slow and drop in. I turned far better than I expected and was hung 4 wide then made a quick decision to pull and head to the rail behind Jason Glass. I tucked in behind and followed his stove rack for 6^th day money.

I had a good run tonight. My outfit didn’t start extremely hard but they ran when they hit the track. I sat in behind Wayne Knight who had a good turn on barrel one and waited until the third turn before I tried to take a run at him. My leader just nosed him at the wire by 2/100ths of a second. The last 2 years we had some horse problems heading into Calgary but this year Iam sitting pretty good. “Will” is starting to run and work harder than he has been. “Eddie” runs a route and likes the distance. “Donny” has been off since we raced in Wainwright. He didn’t start hard but ran well and should be ready to go Saturday. We are on barrel 2 again tomorrow (Saturday) so we will hook the same set of horses then give them the night off Sunday. Dallas Dyck, Curtis Meyers, David Bensmiller and my brother Mick will outride for me again for the next 4 nights but I will probably lose Dallas after the redraw when he goes to race in Lloydminster.

Happy Stampede Everyone!!! It is great to be be back for another year and as usual myself, my family, my barn crew and of course the horses are excited to be a part of the 2008 edition of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth! 

We arrived here this past Wed. and had a hectic couple of days getting our barn setup and organized and our tackrooms arranged. However, we now seem to have settled in and feel right at home.  The wagon also got a new coat of paint, so that it will look sharp even from the seventh floor of the grandstand.

Once again, my sponsor this year is ATB Financial. They have a number of events and functions planned, including daily barn tours and supper before the races for their clients, a visit to the Alberta Children’s Hospital and of course a few pancake breakfasts. Keep an eye out for Skippy, as he is out and about during the races and at many of the sponsor functions as well. I keep telling him to stay out of trouble, but he doesn’t always listen so well.

On night one (friday) we were in heat two. I decided to run the ”A Team” which is Fred and Jimmy on the lead and Coug’dit  and Zach on the wheel.  Unfortunately we got strung out three wide and ended up 25 on the day, which means we got to stay in heat two.

Last night (saturday) we went with the same team again. Although they sometimes don’t have the best start, they sure make up for it when they head down the home stretch.  Last night was a prime example.  Grant Profit, had a significant lead on us coming out of the fourth corner and we ended up catching him by a nose at the finish line to win the heat. Last night’s run was good enough to give us 8th on the day and bump us into 13 position. It is still very early on in the game, but I am happy so far and hope that the remaining eight days go just as well.

Chad Harden

Well, its good to be back at the Stampede for another year.  This will be my 18th Stampede as a competitor and the butterflies never leave.  I have some strong contenders this week, most notably Rae Croteau, Luke Tournier, and Neal Walgenbach.  Hopefully we can get a little luck.  Last night went pretty good, the track was suprisingly good considering the downpour we got at about 6:30.  Buddy Bensmiller flew last night, and there are a lot of good outfits here.  I think this will be one of the most competitive Stampede’s in a while.  I guess time will tell.  Enjoy the week.

One Day of the greatest ten days of my life is over.  For outrider there is no bigger stage.  The excitement of the crowd, gives me chiles down my spine.  Yesterday morning I woke up at five thirty, just excited about the day.

My night of outriding went really good.  I went through the night penalty free, I was getting on good and every thing seemed to go pretty smooth.  Last night they redrew the heats and barrels, so all of the outriders where running around hoping to get hired for the next four nights.  It seemed like it was a bad draw for me because I lost Rick F., Neal W., and Mike V..  But I was lucky enough to pick up Sean D., Tim H. and Grant P..  So for the next four nights I will be riding all nine heats.

I would like to say good job to the race track crew for doing great work on the the race track.  The races where fair and exciting.     

Dustin Gorst

What would summer be without the big Mardi Gras we call the Calgary Stampede. 

Starting off in the parade this morning, I must have waved to 10,000 people (thanks for waving back).  I guess everyone else in Calgary was ready to start this show off right too.  The parade was great, just a nice overcast so it didn’t get too hot.  I saw loads of people funneling down to the grounds to hit the midway and everyone seemed to be loving the beautiful weather.  The rodeo sounded good, we never went over but I could here the crowd from the barns.  There was a beautiful BBQ back at the barns with my Friends of SAIT chuckwagon sponsors and then it hit.  Welcome to Calgary in July, a 15 minute flash flood.  Right before the races, must have been an inch and a half of rain.  Soon the wind blew and the sun came back out, craziest thing you ever seen.  That is unless you have spent the month of July in Calgary, then it was just another flash flood rainstorm during the Stampede.

 There is nothing more exciting that the first day of the Rangeland Derby.  Every driver, outrider and barn crew member  have dreamed  a hundred times over about winning this years derby.  Every race day and training day before this has been a build up of today.  But the most important thing to remember is that the stampede is not a stampede is not a sprint it is a marathon.  No matter what happens today there is still nine more days of racing. 

As for the Gorst barn, the horses are feeling good and the hopes are high.  We feel with a little luck that we can have a real good showing.  Dad ( Gary Gorst ) has two real nice lead teams and three bone headed pole horses that don’t know the meaning of whoa.  The outriding horses are a little soar but i think we should be alright.  The main thing for us is to stay focused, what ever happens just take it in stride and act nothing bothers us.

Tonight I will be riding all nine heats. I have worked hard all winter to be in top shape this year and i think i am ready for this years derby.  The season this far has gone really good, i have three show championships under my belt this year.  But there is not much i can do but do my best to help the driver and stay penalty free!

Good Luck to all the participants at this years Calgary Stampede.