“Things can go wrong,” James said after mentioning he hit a barrel in Edmonton last year, “buggering up” his shoulder while riding in what some call the most dangerous position on the track.
Chuckwagon racing is a team event, led by a driver who commands a team of horses pulling the chuckwagon, and is supported by four outriders—each racing individual thoroughbred horses that follow the chuckwagon.
Races begin with the outriders “breaking camp”, by tossing two tent poles and a barrel representing a camp stove into the back of their wagon before mounting their horses and following the wagons as they complete a figure eight around two barrels before circling a race track.
“Most guys start working with a driver, practice, and then outriders become sanctioned,” James explains.
James grew up on a farm outside of Drumheller, riding horses pretty much all his life he said.
“Your adreneline gets going, that’s for sure. It’s tones of fun and I love riding,” James said.
James has been touring Alberta since June, riding in various races around the province.
He’ll be racing all three days this weekend, with $59,000 worth of prize money to be won, attracting World Professional Chuckwagon drivers from across Western Canada.
For more information on this weekend’s events, check www.drumhellerstampede.com
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