September 2013 16
a figure eight around the barrels. After that, they race around the track and (usually) the first person to cross the finish line wins. But, there are more aspects than that.
For each wagon team, there are two or four “outriders” on horseback that can help you, and hurt you (if of course you are a professional Chuckwagon driver, which would be unlikely). At the beginning, one of the outriders has to throw into the back of the wagon a small, bright red barrel, which is called a “Stove”. If the outrider fails to throw in the stove, you get a penalty (which I’ll talk about later). The outrider that throws the stove in then has to vault himself on to the running horse, and catch up with the wagon. And, at the finish line, both outriders have to be within 100 yards of the finish line when the wagon crosses it.
There are many penalties that also help and hurt you (they really only help you if you place second and the guy ahead of you gets a penalty).
Early Start: an early start penalty is when you start before the horn sounds. That really hurts when you’re in the finals and you start too soon. (I’ve seen that happen before)
Knocking Over A Barrel: this penalty is when you knock over a barrel. Even if it’s another driver’s barrel, the wagon that knocks it over gets the penalty
Late Outrider: the Late Outrider penalty is when the outrider is not within 100 yards of the finish line. That could be a foot over 100, or that could be the whole track. This is most common when the outrider fails to mount his horse.
No Stove: this is when the outrider fails to throw the stove in. This is common if the Chuckwagon starts around the barrels at a fast pace.
Goin' Around the Barrels
at High River, AB
-Allison Croteau