HISTORY OF ALBERTA PROFESSIONAL CHUCKWAGON AND CHARIOT ASSOCIATION     1968 – 2008

 

 

      As we enter the 40^th year of the incorporation of the Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association, it is with great pride that we are putting together an overview of the sport we have come to love and enjoy – for those who participate as well as for those who come out to watch and follow the circuit each summer. We dedicate this to all those loyal members who have given so much to make our sport what it is and will continue to be. Without all the teamwork from young and old we would never have made the accomplishments that we did.

      The sport of chuckwagon and chariot racing has grown into one of the most popular summer sports we have. It exceeded any possibilities that the original participants could ever have imagined, and is still growing. It grew into a family sport, where everyone from small children to grown men and women are involved in one way or another.  At the race meets the children all have their chores; the women  have their chores keeping everyone fed and organized; men, women and kids share in the most important job of looking after the horses they are racing.  Every spring is like a family reunion when everyone gets to socialize with all the friends they have not seen since last fall.

      The following is a resume of events and changes to those events over the years which were all made to make our sport more entertaining for the fans and very importantly, to ensure the safety of the participants and the horses. Even today, this is an ongoing endeavor as the horses get bigger and faster, and we work to make sure every race is a safe and exciting one.

      Chariot racing was done in the early sixties, in one form or another,  a few years before it became an organized group. They ranged from two horses hooked to a pole connected to a set of rubber tires on which the driver sat on a padded seat; some made with big bicycle type tires and you sat to drive them – these tipped easily.

     Memories of some of the first races included racing up the back alley behind the hotel, down to an old sawdust pile and back again. Everyone came out of the hotel to watch, and the racers then joined them and the horse racing tales began.  Other areas raced on the ball diamonds after the ballgames finished and sometimes played ball on the ponies after the races were finished. Depending on where the race track was in each town determined the length of the track – which varied from only one quarter (1/4) mile or one third (1/3) mile – four tenths (4/10) mile was a long track. The same as with anything involving thrills and spills, people kept trying out different things until they found what worked and wasn’t too dangerous. Today the tracks are ½ mile to 5/8mile.

      Some of the founding members of the original association used to race thoroughbreds on chariots from 1956 on, but as there were only about six races in a year they wanted a little more action. There were about six fellows in the Calgary area who ran pony chuckwagons at indoor rodeos from 1961 – 1964.

     Pony chariot racing started in 1962 in the Eckville – Camrose area, in places like Rocky Mountain House, Lacombe, Eckville, Caroline, and Hale Lake. 1962 – 1963 was just chariots pulled by 42 inch – 48 inch ponies. In the beginning year it was run just for fun – no purse of any size.      In 1964 – 65 a few started to race wagons. These were made with rubber tires which were much lighter than the present. Some of the first wagon races were in Ohaton, Eckville, Rocky Mountain House, Okotoks, Daysland and Cochrane.

     There were small clubs beginning to organize in areas such as Peace River country, Whitecourt and Pincher Creek areas. Some of the first meets in these areas were Grimshaw, Whitecourt and many other small towns. In 1966 these clubs, along with those in the south, all joined to form the Alberta Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Association.

      The original Executive consisted of President – Dan Gerlitz; Secretary David McKenzie; Directors – Bud Lightbrown, Glen Helmig, Angus MacTavish, Walter Byers, Hugh Sheets, Pat Milligan, along with about 20 members. This executive drew up the original constitution, a lot of it taken from the Saskatchewan club who had started up about two years earlier.

     On June 19, 1968 the Alberta Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Association was registered with the Societies Act as a nonprofit organization.  1986 name changed to Alberta Professional Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Association. 1997 name changed to Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association, which has remained to the present.

EXECUTIVE:President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer and Directors from each of the affiliated clubs which remains the same today. 1970 they started receiving $10 for each meeting they had to attend; 1974 changed to 10 cents per mile one way;  1977 – directors get $100 per year plus 10 cents per mile for meetings; mileage 20 cents per mile; 1991 – 20 cents per kilometer; Over the years that has changed to paying mileage because of the increasing costs.  At the start, each club elected their own directors, the whole Alberta club then voted on the directors. Eventually it went back to each club electing their own director to represent them. Secretarial work started by doing everything by hand then in 1971 a hand operated gestetner machine was purchased to do the bulletins, etc.(which we still have, but do not use, today). 1974 started sending out paid member lists to the directors. Electric typewriters and gestetner, gave way to photocopiers and now everything is done on the computer. Faxes and emails have made such huge advances over having to mail everything and wait for replies by mail.

GENERAL MEETINGS: Had one in the fall and one in the spring for the first few years at a different location each time. 1974 decided to have banquet and fall meeting last Saturday in October. In early 80s the spring meeting was done away with. In 1996, the annual general meeting was changed to the second last Saturday of October because quite often Halloween fell on the last weekend. A lot of members had small children at the time. Meetings are now held where it is deemed most central for everyone.

MEMBERSHIPS: Annual membership fees were $10 each; Associate members $2; 1976 raised to $12; 1977 - $15, associates $10; 1983 - $25; 1971 started interprovincial memberships with Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia for $5.00; 1976 - $12; 1983 - $25; 1989 - $50;1990 - $75; 1998 - $100 which it is today. Beginning in 1974 , members were required to have a number for each outfit.

MEASURING:  Measuring the ponies each year has involved the most changes over time.  First was a 48 inch measure, using a bar. 1972 – 50 inch; 1982 - 54 inch.  1985 all 2 yr. olds measured had to be re-measured in June.    At present the measure is 581/2 inch walking.  This is good for the season. All those measured out are out for the season. Different variations of this form of measure was used until 2005, when we went to the laser line measure. With this the horse is lead across a board with loose lead and is measured in if it does not break the laser. A hoof brand to indicate in or out was implemented. Measured in branded on the right hoof, out was branded on the left hoof. This method is still used today. Horses 5 years or older are tattooed in for life – they used to get tattooed on the lip, but now a freeze brand is placed on the right shoulder. To be done before the first Alberta show, which continues today.  Measuring locations were in several places throughout the province over several weekends. These consisted of arenas, auction markets, machine sheds and members barns. Members were allowed to have horses measured at a show by three directors. This practice was carried on until about 1989. As expenses rose over the years we chose central locations to meet on two weekends and now we all come to one central location on one day. As methods have improved, the job can be done much more quickly.  Beginning in 1972 it cost 50 cents per horse to measure; 1974 - $1 at measure, $5 at track; 1977 - $3 per horse; 1986 - $6 per horse; 1995 - $7 per horse;now is $10   Honor all out of province measured horses if measured in their province. 1983  the Interprovincial measuring club was formed, providing uniform measures throughout the four western provinces.

RACES: . At the races in Saskatoon the chariots lined up behind a pick up truck with a gate on it, which extended the width of  three chariots. It was going 30 mph when it crossed the finish line, then pulled off to let the teams go by. Some other places started out with the teams at a standing start, held by holders until a horn was blown; and others had a running start, each outfit trying to stay even until they reached the starting line and the horn blew.  In 1972 steel barrels  were used for the outfits to make the figure eight pattern, where possible. 1987 it was made mandatory to use plastic barrels (open ended) so they would flatten out when run over. 1974 payouts were divided 2/3 for wagons and 1/3 for chariots, which has remained the same. Entry fees were wagons $5, chariots $3; 1975 – wagons $10, carts - $5.which has stayed the same..1974 – payout sheets to be posted on first race day, the same to the present. 1976 – members can run 2 carts and 2 wagons at any show, which stayed until 2004, that members can run as many outfits as they safely can.

POINT SYSTEM: 1973 – 12 point system each day.1975 changed to 15 – 1 point system 1988 – went to dollar system. Today we use a 40 – 1 point system. The chuckwagon and chariot amassing the most points in their category are the high point winners for the year. At year end the top four chariots and wagons as well as rookies receive trophies.

JUDGES AND TIMERS: 1972 it was decided to pay judges(horse included) - $15; Timers - $5; Secretary - $15, maximum $30 depending on size of show. The club bought four good watches for $25 to be used where needed. 1973 set of 5 watches bought in box for simultaneous starting. This method was used until the late 90s when we  went to the video timers.

CHARIOTS: 1972 basket type was introduced as it was mandatory in Saskatchewan.  This is still the type of cart with the wheels enclosed. 36 in. – 48 in. wide and 400 x 8 in. rubber wheels

WAGONS:   As a point of interest, in 1972 outfits will be allowed to have women hazers at their own discretion. Now we have women who drive their own wagons.

The wagons are minimum 550 pounds, iron or steel wheels which cannot turn under the wagon box; wheels are 11/4 to 21/2 inches wide and no more than 43 in. high; Box is 7-9 ft. long and 34-38 in. wide.

SPONSORS:  Individuals, small businesses or corporations who sponsor a wagon or chariot or race meet are very important to chuckwagon and chariot drivers. With the cost of travel so high now, the only way a lot of people can go down the road is through the willingness of sponsors. These people are very important to all of us.

 

              Looking back on the past 40 years is amazing, with the professionalism which has been developed  by so many hard working people. It all goes back to the love of horses and the western way of life, a hard working, loyal group of people who have fought together through any type of adversity that was thrown at them and they have kept on fighting and becoming stronger and closer in the process.