Adrianne Shepherd
Independent reporter
There have been a lot of rodeo updates over the summer, with a handful of the different rodeo associations, but very little talk about three of the chuckwagon and chariot associations.
Three local men from Gadsby, Neal Walgenbach, Nathan Sales and Kevin Baird, have been winning shows and gracing the top of the standings, representing the area quite well.
Walgenbach is in the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association and is currently in first place in the standings.
He most recently won the Don Laing Trailers Championship in Saskatoon, SK over the weekend.
Walgenbach’s time in the championship heat of 1:20.20 was 73 one hundredths of a second faster than second place Shane Nolin, and he won the $20,000 Charmac trailer.
It wasn’t until the third turn that Walgenbach managed to create some separation, but it was a photo finish.
This year is Walgenbach’s second year competing in the CPCA, last year he won the Canadian Championship and a GMC truck.
Walgenbach will battle for top spot at the CPCA Pro-Tour Finals this weekend in Lloydminster.
Baird has been driving in the All Pro Canadian Chuckwagon and Chariot Association for Larry Meyer who dealing with an illness.
Baird is no stranger to the wagon circuit as he is a retired World Professional Chuckwagon Association driver, and often helps out drivers in need.
Baird drove Meyer’s outfit for both Sundre and Olds and won at both shows.
The official results for the races in Olds had not been posted at the time of press.
While driving Meyer’s outfit in Sundre Baird finished in second place on both of the first and second nights of wagon races.
After the third day of races, Baird had an official aggregate time of 3:09.82 taking the top spot and winning the show for Meyer.
After the fourth day in Dawson Creek, BC, Sales is in third place in the Western Chuckwagon Association GMC Pro Tour, after a successful season.