2010 Canvas Auction Results

Chad Harden

Favourite Horse: Beaver

Chad is a third generation driver and the 2009 GMC Rangeland Derby Champion! He was the WPCA's Top Rookie Driver in 2000, and received the prestigious WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year Award in 2006. Chad introduced “Skippy the Squirrel” - chuckwagon racing’s first mascot and has participated annually in EnCana’s WPCA/4-H Mentorship Opportunity since its inception in 2005. Chad has qualified for the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby every year since he started competing.

2001 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Award

Tyler Helmig

Favourite Horse: all of them

Tyler is no stranger to the track here at Calgary. He is a two-time qualifier for the Rangeland Derby’s sudden death championship final heat. Tyler was the WPCA's Top Rookie Driver in 1988, received the WPCA's Most Improved Chuckwagon Outfit Award in 1994, and had a horse named to the WPCA's Equine Outfit of Excellence in 2005.

2002 – World Champion

Mark Sutherland

Favourite Horse: Shady

Mark qualified for the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby's sudden death championship final heat for the first time in 2009. It was also Mark’s finest year as a chuckwagon driver as he qualified for two sudden death championship final heats and placed a career best 8th place in the World Standings. Mark's love for technology has enabled him as the pioneer of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology as a tool for chuckwagon training and was one of the featured drivers on OLN's award winning "Half Mile of Hell" series.

1996 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Award
2006 – Mullen Safety Award
2009 – SNC Lavalin Safety Award

Kelly Sutherland

Favourite Horse: Ralph

Nicknamed “The King,” look for Kelly’s racing signatures: his eagle feather and thumbs up wave to the crowd upon completion of every race. Kelly is a 10-time Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion and a 10-time World Champion Chuckwagon Driver. 2009 saw Kelly win the Badlands Dinosaur Derby in Drumheller , had a horse named to the WPCA's Equine Outfit of Excellence for the 3rd consecutive year, and was the first torchbearer of day 8 of the Olympic Torch Relay for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver when the Olympic Torch entered Alberta.

1994 - WPCA Person of the Year
2002 - Mullen Group Safe Drive Award
2006 - World Champion Chuckwagon Driver

Jason Glass

Favourite Horse: Colbain

Jason is a fourth generation reins man. He has twice been voted the Fan’s Favourite at Calgary. Jason won his 2nd career World Champion Chuckwagon Championship, 2nd career Calgary Stampede Aggregate title, the WPCA Clean Drive Award, and for the 2nd time he had a horse named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence - all in 2008. In the off-season, Jason works in the movie industry rubbing shoulders with the like of Robert Duvall and Owen Wilson. He also outrode for two Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship outfits and three Calgary Stampede Aggregate winners.

2001 – Mullen Safety Award
2001 & 2008 – CS Aggregate Champion
2008 & 2009 – World Champion

Rae Croteau Jr.

Favourite Horse: all of them

Rae is a third generation chuckwagon driver who’s father and grandfather are former Calgary Stampede finalists. Rae finds the thrill of racing in the adrenaline rush he gets at each race, and is fuelled to the finish line by his competitive spirit. He has had 3 horses named to the WPCA's Equine Outfit of Excellence and received the WPCA Showmanship Award for professionalism in 2002.

2003 & 2004 – Mullen Safety Award

Obrey Motowylo

Favourite Horse: Reno

Obrey is competing in his second Stampede and comes to Calgary with experience in the Western Chuckwagon Association, the CPCA and the WPCA. He came close to taking home the 2009 World Championship, finishing 2nd. Obrey had a horse named to the WPCA's Equine Outfit of Excellence in 2008, and was the CPCA's High Point Rookie Driver in 2005.

2009 - Orville Strandquist Rookie Award

Rick Fraser

Favourite Horse: Major

Rick has qualified for the GMC Rangeland Derby sudden death final three times and outrode for 6 Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship outfits and 2 Calgary Stampede Aggregate Winners. Rick was the 2004 World Champion Chuckwagon Driver, received the WPCA Showmanship Award in 2001 and was the WPCA's Top Rookie Driver in 1982.

One of the most tough and talented drivers in the world, Rick is always a top contender at the Rangeland Derby. His dream was always to race chuckwagons and he says that meeting people and winning races is his idea of living that dream.

1999 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Award 2004 – World Champion 2005 – Guy Weadick Award

Doug Irvine

Favourite Horse: Speedy

Doug won his first career show championship in 2008 in a major way when he captured the Ponoka Stampede. He outrode for one Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship outfit in 2003 and 3 Calgary Stampede Aggregate winners. Doug was the CPCA’s High Point Rookie Driver in 1998, CPCA’s High Point Rookie outrider in 1993 and the CPCA outrider champion in 1997.

2002, 2003 & 2006 – CS Aggregate Champion Outrider
2006 – WPCA Clean Drive Award

Luke Tournier

Favourite Horse: Goldie

“Lightning Luke” is named for his explosiveness out of the barrels and speed on the track. In 2001 Luke’s family received the CPCA Family of the Year Award. He has twice won it all here at the GMC Rangeland Derby. Luke and his brother Léo are one of three brother combinations competing at the 2010 Calgary Stampede. He has had 4 horses named to the WPCA's Equine Outfit of Excellence in 5 years, and holds the track record at the Ponoka Stampede.

2005 & 2007 – Calgary Stampede Champion
2005 & 2007 – CS Aggregate Champion
2007 – Mullen Group Safety Award

Neal Walgenbach

Favourite Horse: J Walker

Nicknamed the “Red Headed Stranger”, Neal is a second-generation chuckwagon driver and the co-holder of the track record here at the Calgary Stampede - a blistering 1:13:26. In his first year competing with the CPCA, 2008 saw Neal win the Little Pine Chuckwagon Championship and the CPCA High River Championship en route to winning the CPCA Championship, and along with his family, received the CPCA Chuckwagon Family of the Year Award . He is a 2-time champion of the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship and in 2009 Neal was the CPCA High Point Driver.

1995 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Award

Wayne Knight

Favourite Horse: all of them

Wayne holds four track records within the CPCA. Nicknamed “Crafty,” Wayne practices natural health methods in his horse training regimen. Wayne was a finalist for the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby's sudden death championship final heat in 1998. Wayne was the CPCA’s High Point Rookie Driver in 1984,and twice received the CPCA’s Most Improved Driver Award

1999 & 2000 – CPCA Champion
2003 – Award for Excellence in Corporate Involvement

Hugh Sinclair

Favourite Horse: all of them

Hugh won his 4th career Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship, first WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship and added the Red Deer Chuckwagon Championship to his accomplishments in 2008. He has qualified for the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby's sudden death championship final heat four times and has gone undefeated.Hugh also holds the track record at Edmonton's Chuckwagon Derby.

1982 - WPCA Top Rookie Outrider
1986 - WPCA Most Improved Outriders
1998 - WPCA Most Improved Chuckwagon Outfit
2000 – CS Aggregate Champion
2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 - Calgary Stampede Champion

Grant Profit

Favourite Horse: Prince

Grant is consistently a top competitor on the WPCA Pro Tour. Grant has 4 career show wins including major wins at the North American Chuckwagon Championship in High River and the Ponoka Stampede Championship. Grant is a 2-time recipient of the WPCA's Most Improved Chuckwagon Outfit Award, was a participant in the WPCA & EnCana’s mentorship program for the 4H Foundation of Alberta the past 3 years, and was runner-up for the 1999 World Chuckwagon Championship. Grant and wife Shelly are big supporters of youth, including 4-H. Shelly will be the one holding the reins during the post-race drive by the Grandstand.

1999 – North American Champion

Reg Johnstone

Known as the “Bashaw Flash”, Reg earned his nickname by setting numerous track records including the ‘old track’ record here at Calgary. Reg is consistently one of the top performers at the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby placing inside the top ten or better 12 times. Reg was the World Champion Chuckwagon Driver and won the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship in 2005 becoming the first and only man in history to capture both championships in the same year. He has had 2 horses named to the WPCA's Equine Outfit of Excellence.

2005 – World Champion
2005 – WPCA Tour Champion

Roger Moore

Favourite Horse: Stinson

Roger has outrode for two Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship Outfits and four Calgary Stampede Aggregate winners. He was the CPCA High Point Rookie Driver in 1994. He has won five career CPCA show championships including the Cold Lake show in 2008 and is an eight-time CPCA Champion Chuckwagon Driver. He knows spending time with family is important and his favorite thing to do on a day off is taking his son to hockey.

1997 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Award
2007 – CPCA Family of the Year

Grant Preece

Favourite Horse: Ace

Grant loves the adrenaline of the races and has qualified for the GMC Rangeland Derby every year since he started driving full-time. Grant received the CPCA award for Excellence in Corporate Involvement in 1999, twice qualified for the sudden death final heat for the CPCA Championship, and holds the CPCA track record at the Millarville Chuckwagon Classic.

1983 – CPCA Champion Outrider
1999 – Award for Excellence in Corporate Involvement

Gary Gorst

Favourite Horse: Search

Gary picked up the reins when he was 15 and now competes as a second-generation chuckwagon driver. Gary knows the greatest thing about racing is traveling with his family.

2005 – CPCA Chuckwagon Family of the Year

Layne MacGillivray

Favourite Horse: Cigar

A first-rate chuckwagon driver, Layne outrode for Hugh Sinclair's Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship outfits in 2000 and 2004. Previously a member of the CPCA, Layne won two CPCA show championships and qualified for the sudden death CPCA Championship two consecutive years in 2001 and 2002. He has twice been named the CPCA's Most Sportsmanlike Driver in 2000 and 2001. Layne is a third-generation driver, whose father Dennis was a former CPCA High Point Winning Driver as well. A native of Melfort, Saskatchewan, Layne and his wife Loreena have two children - Taygan and Trey - and now make their home in Halkirk, Alberta.

2009 – WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year

Troy Dorchester

Troy has twice qualified for the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby's sudden death championship final heat in 1999 and 2000, and won the Calgary Stampede's Orville Strandquist Award for Top Rookie Driver in 1998. Troy follows in legendary footsteps as a third-generation chuckwagon driver. Troy drove his way to the Calgary Stampede finals in 1999 and 2000. A true Canadian, he enjoys golf and hockey in his spare time.

1998 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Award

Kirk Sutherland

Favourite Horse: Apollo

Kirk is a veteran driver entering his fifth decade of competitive chuckwagon racing. Kirk and Kelly are the only brothers to qualify for the GMC Rangeland Derby final heat in the same year. He has won major show championships at the North American Chuckwagon Championship, Edmonton's Chuckwagon Derby and twice captured the Battle of the North in Dawson Creek, B.C.

1984 - WPCA Most Improved Outfit Award

Tim Haroldson

Favourite Horse: Pepper

Tim has been awarded multiple CPCA show awards for Best Dressed Chuckwagon. He has won 5 CPCA show championships in his career including 2 Wainwright Stampede championships, 2 Colonial Days Fair championships, and the CPCA Lloydminster Finals. He was scheduled to compete at the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby for the first time in 2004, until a pre-show injury prevented him from driving that year. 2009 saw Tim rejoin the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour since 2002.

2000 - Award for Excellence in Corporate Involvement

Kurt Bensmiller

Favourite Horse: Pappy

Kurt is the youngest driver in WPCA history to qualify two wagons into a single sudden death championship final heat. He had a great year in 2009, finishing a personal best 9th place in the 2009 World Standings. A two-sport athlete, Kurt also played two years of Junior A Hockey for the Bentley Generals.

2001 - WPCA Most Improved Outfit Award
2002 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Driver Award
2007 - WPCA Clean Drive Award

Buddy Bensmiller

Favourite Horse: JJ

Buddy is a 3-time Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion driver and a 3-time Calgary Stampede Aggregate winner. He won 2 Calgary Stampede Mullen Group Safe Drive Awards for the Least Penalized Driver, and outrode for one Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship outfit in 1981. Buddy is a 2-time World Champion Chuckwagon Driver, was the WPCA's Chuckwagon Person of the Year in 2000, and won a record 4 WPCA Clean Drive Awards!

He now competes against his three sons - David, Kurt and Chance.

1979, 1989 & 2003 – Calgary Stampede Champion 1994, 1995 & 1997 – Aggregate Champion 1994 – Guy Weadick Award

Ray Mitsuing

Favourite Horse: Gord

Ray was the 1992 Calgary Stampede Aggregate Champion and is consistently one of the CPCA’s top performers at the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby. Ray is a 6-time CPCA Champion and a 3-time CPCA High Point Driver.Ray has twice won the CPCA Most Improved Driver Award, was the CPCA High Point Rookie Driver in 1983, and holds 9 CPCA track records.
Watch for Ray as he is a top contender and fan favorite here at the GMC Rangeland Derby. He has four sons – drivers Dean; Devin, who he will be competing against at Calgary this year; and Daren and Dale, both outriders.

1992 – CS Aggregate Champion

Leo Tournier

Favourite Horse: Max

Léo and his brother Luke are one of three brother combinations competing at the 2010 Calgary Stampede. Léo spent the first several years of his career on the CPCA circuit where he won two CPCA show championships For the 3rd consecutive year he had a horse named to the WPCA's Equine Outfit of Excellence in 2009. He won his first major chuckwagon event at Edmonton’s Chuckwagon Derby in 2007.

2007 – WPCA Most Improved Outfit

Brian Laboucane

Favourite Horse: Spanish Honour

This is Brian’s 31st consecutive year racing at Calgary. Brian has left his mark on Canadian soil and holds two Canadian track records. He has qualified for the sudden death championship final heat for the CPCA championship 6 times in the past 7 years, and has twice received the CPCA Award for Excellence in Corporate Involvement. Brian has won over 75 CPCA show championships.

1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2003 & 2006 – CPCA High Point Champion
2005 – Chuckwagon Family of the Year Award
2008 – Calgary Stampede Safety Award

Barry Hodgson

Favourite Horse: Timmy

2010 will be Barry's second appearance at the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship; But that doesn't mean he is not a seasoned horseman. Barry picked up the reigns in 1999 and before racing chuckwagons, Barry trained thoroughbreds in Winnipeg and Phoenix, Arizona. In his career, Barry has qualified for 5 career sudden death championship final heats.

Jerry Bremner

Jerry was the 1993 Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Champion, is co-holder of the Calgary Stampede track record, and outrode for 3 Calgary Stampede Championship outfits. Jerry is a 3-time World Champion Chuckwagon Driver and won the 2006 WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship. Jerry has had 3 horses named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence, won the WPCA Clean Drive Award in 2003, received the WPCA's Top Rookie Driver in 1984, the WPCA's Most Improved Chuckwagon Outfit in 1987, and was the 1986 World Champion Outrider.

1993 – Calgary Stampede Champion

Jim Knight

Favourite Horse: Robbie

Jim is tied with Buddy Bensmiller for the longest consecutive streak for active drivers here at the Calgary Stampede – 32 years in 2010.He twice qualified for the sudden death final heat for the CPCA Chuckwagon Championship and was the CPCA's Top Rookie Driver in 1977. He loves the excitement of the race, meeting racing fans and socializing.

2001 - Award for Excellence in Corporate Involvement
2002 – Guy Weadick Award

Shane Nolin

Favourite Horse: Braff

Shane started driving chuckwagons when he was 19 years old. He is a perennial contender for the CPCA championship and stays involved with his family by coaching their hockey teams. He also enjoys horse racing and any other adrenaline sports.

2002 - CPCA Most Improved Driver in 2002
2004 - Award for Excellence in Corporate Involvement

Troy Flad

Favourite Horse: Flying 90

In 2009 Troy qualified for his second career sudden death championship final heat at Edmonton’s Chuckwagon Derby at the Dodge World Chuckwagon Championships. Troy posted his first career first place run in a major chuckwagon event at Edmonton’s Chuckwagon Derby in 2007.
The “Mello Yello Fello” is back for a third time at the Calgary Stampede. Troy has been driving chuckwagons over half his life and has a dedicated interest in the history of racing. Troy loves the energy he feels from the fans that come to watch.

2003 – WPCA Showmanship Award

Brian Mayan

Favourite Horse: all of them

2010 will be Brian's first appearance at the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby Championship, and he will be one of 2 rookie drivers competing for the Calgary Stampede's Orville Strandquist Award for Top Rookie Driver. Brian outrode for one Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Championship outfit and two Calgary Stampede Aggregate winners. 2009 was his finest year as a chuckwagon driver as he won the Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship and finished a career best 17th place in the World Standings.
Brian is one of chuckwagon racing’s fiercely competitive drivers. He stays on top of his game by staying fit in his spare time and working with the horses daily.

Devin Mitsuing

Favourite Horse: Don

As the son of racing legend Ray Mitsuing, Devin is one of two rookie drivers at Calgary this year. The Mitsuing’s will be one of three father/son combinations to compete at the 2010 Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby. 2009 was a highlight year for Devin, finishing top ten in the CPCA driver standings and qualifying for his first Calgary Stampede.

2007 - CPCA Most Improved Driver Award

Vern Nolin

One of the CPCA's top chuckwagon drivers, Vern picked up the reigns at age 16. In 2009 he placed 2nd in the CPCA standings and is back in 2010 as a contender here at Calgary. While driving two outfits in 2006, Vern posted twenty top ten runs, including three first place runs and nine additional runs that cracked the top five. Vern is one of three partners in a commercial and residential contracting operation in and around the Meadow Lake area. Vern and his wife Karen have two children - Brett and Brendan.

2004 – CPCA Chuckwagon Family of the Year
2004 – CPCA Most Improved Driver

Mike Vigen

Favourite Horse: all of them

The “Little Grizzly” is a second generation driver with four World Champion outrider buckles to his name. Mike thinks the most exciting part of racing is the adrenaline he gets every time the horn sounds. Mike holds the track record at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club Derby. He is a 2nd generation driver, whose Father was 5-time World Champion Ralph Vigen, and Mike is the father of the 2004 World Champion Outrider, Chanse Vigen.

1993 – Orville Strandquist Rookie Award
1998 – Mullen Group Safety Award