Stampede dream on hold for now

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Okotoks native Dayton Sutherland is taking a step back from the Stampede dream this season and plans on racing his chuckwagon around the Grande Prairie region.

The third generation chuckwagon driver has been competing on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association for the past three years and said that he made the decision to step back due to the hefty price tag that comes with one season of racing.

“You are feeding 30 some head of horses each day, you have to pay outriders on race days, you pay your barn staff which can range anywhere from one person to four people,” Sutherland said.

He explains that on average it costs around $150,000 for one season of racing, but that is only one hurdle competitors like Sutherland’s face.

The ultimate goal for those competing in either the WPCA or the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon association is being invited to compete in the GMC Rangeland Derby at the Calgary Stampede.

However, the Stampede is an invite-only event and while that is good news for the more established drivers in the sport, it plays a role of uncertainty for others.

“If you are sitting 26 to 36 in the standings you don’t know if you are coming or going because you don’t know if you will make it to the Stampede next year or the year after.” Sutherland adds “Calgary is at least 100 per cent increase on your sponsorship once you do make it.”

Along with the increase in sponsorship, the prize money at the Calgary Stampede is the largest purse in the sport with the winner receiving $100,000, and over the ten days a thousand dollars are handed out each day in what is called “day money.”

Sutherland explains that right now in the sport a lot of guys are just looking to break even during the season and for a newcomer they may never get their money back.

“It is a game of survival, there is a lot of money coming out of pocket, and I just don’t think the sponsorship or prize money is strong enough if you aren’t making Calgary.”

The 21-year-old driver will be competing in the Western Chuckwagon Association this season, in hopes of coming back to the WPCA and chasing the Stampede dream again in the future.

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