A legendary, nearly four-decade chuckwagon career was celebrated as it came to an end at this year’s Calgary Stampede.
Mark Sutherland has been driving since 1993 and was an outrider long before that, and his last name is what legends are made of in chuckwagon circles. At this year’s Calgary Stampede, he decided it was time to end his career.
“It has been a long time,” he tells the Mail. “When I was a kid, it was just what I was going to do. I played outriders the same way kids played floor hockey,” he said.
“My whole plan was to be a chuckwagon driver, and the steps to that was to be an outrider, and then as you get older, become a chuckwagon driver. It was always in my thought process.”
This has a local connection because for years, Drumheller resident Jay Dekesyer has been a trusty stable hand for Sutherland at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Sutherland says one of the hardest parts of retiring is the chuckwagon family around him that has grown over the years.
“I have fans and front that follow me very closely and support me, and I have guys like Jay that have been friends for 20 years, and a highlight of his year is coming to the Stampede with me,” he said “Whether it should or not, it sometimes factors into your decision. It is going to be a change for me and my family and friends.”
For the last three decades as a driver, he has been wrapped up in the competition. Retirement might come with some introspection on the legacy he and his family has built.
“I guess retirement allows for reflection, competition doesn’t, so it might be a little too early to look back at the legacy,” he said. “When I look at what dad has done, and he retired in 2017, I am very cognizant of what happened with him and how he evolved the sport, changed the sport, and dominated the sport. I am well aware of the legacy of the family name. I have been humbled by hundreds of thousands of fans who have reached out to me via social media or personally and have expressed their gratefulness for what I have done for the sport and what I have done for them. All the while just doing a sport that I love.”
“I race chuckwagons, and I love horses. As far as that goes, I guess I have had a blessed life.”
As for Jay, Sutherland said he has talked to his son, who races, as well as his cousin Mitch who might have a place for his service, come the next Stampede.
“I guess we’ll see if he makes his way out to Mitch’s ranch in Grande Prairie.”
