By Ed Wittchen, WPCA VP Communications
The 2025 World Professional Chuckwagon Association Awards Banquet brought together drivers, outriders, families, officials, sponsors, and fans for an evening of celebration at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary on Saturday, October 18th.
World Champion Driver
The featured award of the evening was the presentation of the World Champion Driver Bronze and Buckle to Chanse Vigen, proudly sponsored by GMC. This marks Chanse’s third consecutive World Championship title. He was also presented with the keys to the World Champion Truck, sponsored by Summit Fleet.
2025 GMC Show Champions
Show Champion Jackets, sponsored by GMC, were presented to the winners of each tour stop:
- Grande Prairie Stampede – Obrey Motowylo (Outriders: Ethan & Hayden Motowylo)
- Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship – Jamie Laboucane (Outriders: Hayden Motowylo & Kale Lajeunesse)
- Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede – Chanse Vigen (Outriders: Rory Gervais & Trey MacGillivray)
- Wainwright Stampede – Chance Flad (Outriders: Trey MacGillivray & Nolan Cameron)
- Ponoka Stampede – Logan Gorst (Outriders: Nolan Cameron & Ryan Martin)
- Teepee Creek Stampede – Lane Tournier (Outriders: Quinn Langevin, Britt Irvine & Kayden Bear)
- Lane also captured the Poundmaker Days Classic with outriders Darwin Ward & Britt Irvine.
- High River Battle of the Foothills – Chanse Vigen (Outriders: Rory Gervais & Ethan Motowylo)
- Strathmore Stampede – Jason Glass (Outriders: Tyson Whitehead & Trey MacGillivray)
- Dawson Creek Exhibition – Battle of the North – Chance Bensmiller (Outriders: Brendan Nolin & Nolan Cameron)
- Rocky Mountain House – Battle of the Rockies – Jason Glass (Outriders: Tyson Whitehead & Trey MacGillivray)
World Champion Outrider
The World Champion Outrider Buckle and Bronze was presented to Rory Gervais for the fourth time, by WPCA Special Officer Ralph Nelson.
Clean Driver Award
The Clean Driver Award, presented to the competitor with the fewest penalties, went to Evan Salmond.
KMC Sales’ Ken and Myrnie Malvin sponsored and presented Evan with a jacket, buckle, and cash award.
Equine Outfit of Excellence
Sponsored for 21 years by Import Tool Corp., this award celebrates the horses that define the sport. Eddie Melville presented framed photos by Shellie Scott and a $1,000.00 cash award to the driver of each champion horse:
- Right Leader: “Junior†– Chanse Vigen
- Left Leader: “Three Score†– Jamie Laboucane
- Right Wheeler: “Lucky†– Logan Gorst
- Left Wheeler: “Bro†– Chad Fike
- Champion Outriding Horses: “Calm†(Jason Glass) and “Runner†(Obrey Motowylo)
Special Awards and Recognitions
- Top Rookie Outrider: Tyson Watson – Sponsored by Revolution Hot Tubs and Boe Stone.
- Herman Flad Memorial Award (Most Improved Driver): Troy Flad – Sponsored by the Troy Flad Family, presented by Gage and Trez Flad.
- Rod Glass Memorial Award (Most Improved Outrider): Nolan Cameron – Sponsored by Jeff & Julie DeSutter.
- WPCA Media Award: Alicia Erickson – Sponsored by Billy Melville Productions, presented by last year’s winner, Montana Harden.
- Active Supporter Awards: Presented by Bryan Hebson, WPCA Marketing Manager, to Paynton Bensmiller, Tammy Patterson, and West of the 5th Distillery.
- Chuckwagon Committee of the Year: Rocky Mountain House Committee, accepted by Rod Tomyn, presented by WPCA Driver Director Wade Salmond.
- Ty Tournier Award: Adrienne Salmond, sponsored by Busted Ladies Lingerie, presented by Diane Ashley.
- WPCA Judging Award: Judy Cuthbertson, sponsored by RJ Western Star, presented by Tony Lidstone.
- Special Recognition Award: Scott Patterson, for his outstanding work behind the scenes and on-site at all tour stops, sponsored by Priest Ranching – Daron & Leann Priest.
- George Normand Lifetime Builder Award: Les McIntyre, recognizing his 40-year commitment to wagon racing, sponsored by the Rick Foley Family.
Past Member Tribute
A highlight of the evening was the Past Member Tribute Award, sponsored and presented by Wendy Daniel of Ranchman’s.
This year’s honoree was Clarence Peters, an 88-year-old, 10-time Calgary Stampede Outriding Champion who achieved those titles with six different legendary drivers: Dale Flett, Hally Walgenbach, Bill Greenwood, Bob Cosgrave, Tom Dorchester, and Buddy Bensmiller. Clarence also earned five victories at the Cheyenne Frontier Days.
WPCA Person of the Year
The evening concluded with the presentation of the WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year to Diane Ashley, presented by WPCA President Zane Nolin. Diane was recognized for her many contributions in managing the WPCA office, coordinating with drivers, outriders, sponsors, and committees, and providing support at multiple tour stops throughout the season.
It was a night to celebrate excellence, dedication, and the enduring spirit of the chuckwagon community. Congratulations to all 2025 award winners and honorees for their outstanding achievements on and off the track.
Photo by EASTON WAGON PHOTOGRAPHY
