Mother Nature has trampled one of the main attractions at the annual Ponoka Stampede.
The 90th edition of the event will wind up only getting in one night of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association races.
Following Friday’s show, back-to-back-to-back nights of action were washed out by heavy rainfall over the weekend which resulted in unsafe track conditions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Then on Tuesday morning, the WPCA made a preemptive strike by going ahead and cancelling the races for the final two nights.
WPCA officials called it “a difficult decision” but noted that “the safety of the chuckwagon drivers, outriders, horses, and everyone involved will always be the top priority. We appreciate your understanding and support.”
Jamie Laboucane from St. Walburg, Saskatchewan set the pace on Night 1 on Friday with a time of 1:17.93, he was followed by Chad Fike from Cremona (1:18.30) and Obrey Motowylo from Hoadley (1:18.31).
Motowylo tops the driver standings for the season with 609.5 points. Calgary’s Chanse Vigen is second with 587 and Logan Gorst from Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan is third with 574.5.
The 2026 WPCA Pro Tour will take a break for the Calgary Stampede’s Rangeland Derby from July 3-12th. 96.5 The Ranch will have live coverage of all the action. The broadcast for the opening night from Calgary will start at 7:15pm on Friday, July 3rd.
