As we close out 2024, it’s time to look back over the course of the 2024 WPCA Race Season. The season officially closed on Saturday, October 19, 2024 when a night of celebration took take place at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary with the annual World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) Awards Gala. It was a night that honored those who achieved greatness this past season, as well as those who have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the most exciting professional sport in the world today. The evening was a tremendous success, with one of the highlights being the video presentations highlighting the 2024 season and all the champions were well received by a capacity crowd.
2024 World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Chanse Vigen receives the World Championship Bronze Trophy on behalf of GMC Canada
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
As well, the WPCA remembered those who “went west” over the past year which included active supporters Al Side, Merle “Mert” Smith, Cindy Helmig, Patrick Gottsch, Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez and Dale Saunders, former competitors Gordon “Bunky” Stewart, Ray Mitsuing, Rod Salmond, Allen Brown and Sherman Bear, and former WPCA General Manager Kelly Carson.
2024 World Champion Outrider Ethan Motowylo (C) receives the World Championship Bronze Trophy, the World Championship Trophy Buckle from Chris Herman (L) and Kathleen Hurtubise (R) on behalf of Connect First Credit Union, and a commemorative photo on behalf of Shellie Scott Photography.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Chanse Vigen was the top honoree this year as he captured the 2024 World Chuckwagon Championship for the second consecutive year, and Ethan Motowylo, also for the second consecutive year was the 2024 World Champion Outrider. Chuckwagon Driver Dean Dreger was the recipient of the WPCA’s highest annual honor when he received the Jim Bottomley Trophy symbolic of the 2024 WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year Award. Chuckwagon legend Buddy Bensmiller was the recipient of the WPCA Special Tribute Award which was sponsored by Ranchman’s, and longtime chuckwagon supporter Merv Pidherney was the recipient of the 2024 George Normand Lifetime Builder Award, sponsored by the Rick Foley Family.
Chuckwagon Driver Dean Dreger (L) accepts the Jim Bottomley Memorial Trophy symbolic of the 2024 WPCA Chuckwagon Person Of The Year from WPCA General Manager Paul Ryneveld (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Wendy Daniel (L) of the Ranchman’s present a Commemorative Trophy to legendary chuckwagon driver Buddy Bensmiller (R) for being recognized with the 2024 WPCA Special Tribute Award.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Calgary Stampede Broadcast Manager Cindy Gillies and Shine Light Entertainment’s Mike Little received the 2024 WPCA Special Recognition Award for their outstanding production of the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby broadcast on SportsNet and the Cowboy Channel.
WPCA Commentator/Historian Billy Melville (L), presents Commemorative Buckles to Calgary Stampede Broadcast Manager Cindy Gillies (C) and Shine Light Entertainment’s Mike Litte (R) for Special Recognition from the WPCA.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Additional special presentations were made by GMC Canada to all of the show winners on the 2024 WPCA Pro Tour with customized Leather Jackets in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments of being able to call themselves a show champion this past season. They included Grande Prairie Stompede Champion Jamie Laboucane, Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship and Ponoka Stampede Champion Luke Tournier, Medicine Hat Stampede, Battle of the Foothills, Strathmore Stampede and Battle of the Rockies Champion Champion Chanse Vigen, Battle of the North Champion Rae Croteau Jr., and Wild West World Finals Aggregate and Century Downs “Winners’ Zone” Series Champion Jason Glass.
The Strathmore Stampede was recognized as the 2024 WPCA Top Race Committee, while longtime chuckwagon supporters Whitney Kahut, Mona Bartsoff and Geoff Derouin each received a commemorative plaque on behalf of the WPCA for being honored with the WPCA Active Supporter Award. Montana Harden received a commemorative buckle from Bill Melville Productions Ltd. for being selected as the recipient of the WPCA Media Award for her tremendous work on the WPCA’s social media, in particular the WPCA Tik Tok page, and Norm Cuthbertson received a commemorative buckle from R. James Western Star for being selected as the recipient of the WPCA Judging Award as selected by his peers. Tara Dreger was the recipient of the 2024 Ty Tournier Memorial Award, given to a woman involved in chuckwagon racing and displays caring and nurturing of horses and children, and displays the spirit of the thoroughbred – courage and strength. Tara received a commemorative silver bracelet on behalf of Steve and Lynn Fountain. It was the 20th consecutive year Steve and Lynn Fountain have sponsored the Ty Tournier Memorial Award.
Sandra Green (L) of the Strathmore Stampede accepts the 2024 WPCA Top Race Committee Award from WPCA General Manager Paul Ryneveld (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
2024 WPCA Active Supporter Award recipient Mona Bartsoff (R) receive a commemorative plaque on behalf of the WPCA from Billy Melville (L). Additional winners Geoff Derouin of Cascade Energy Services and Whitney Kahut were unable to attend.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
2024 WPCA Media Award recipient Montana Harden (C) is thrilled to receive a commemorative buckle from Billy Melville (L) of Bill Melville Productions Ltd. and WPCA Marketing Manager Bryan Hebson (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
2024 WPCA Ty Tournier Memorial Award recipient Tara Dreger (L) is presented with a commemorative bracelet from WPCA Officer Diane Ashley (R) on behalf of Steve and Lynn Fountain.
Cruise Bensmiller was a double winner this year when he took home the WPCA Clean Driver Award for least penalized driver, as well as the Herman Flad Memorial Award symbolic of the WPCA’s Most Improved Driver. Cruise is the youngest recipient of the WPCA’s Clean Driver Award. Dale Young was the recipient of the WPCA’s Top Rookie Driver, Britt Irvine received the WPCA Top Rookie Outrider, and Jory Bronken was the recipient of the Rod Glass Memorial Award, symbolic of the WPCA’s Most Improved Outrider.
Cruise Bensmiller (C), 2024 WPCA Clean Driver Award winner receives a Trophy Buckle, Leather Jacket and Cash Award from Myrnie (L) and Ken (R) Malvin from KMC Sales Inc.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
2024 Herman Flad Memorial Award winner Cruise Bensmiller (R), receives a Trophy Buckle from WPCA Driver Troy Flad (L) on behalf of the Troy Flad Family, and a commemorative photo on behalf of Easton Wagon Photography for the WPCA’s Most Improved Driver.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
WPCA Driver Wade Salmond (L) presents a Trophy Buckle on behalf of CoolBet, and a commemorative photo on behalf of Shellie Scott Photography to 2024 WPCA Top Rookie Driver Dale Young (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Boe Stone (R) presents a Trophy Buckle on behalf of Revolution Hot Tub, and a commemorative photo on behalf of Shellie Scott Photography to the recipient of the 2024 WPCA Top Rookie Outrider Britt Irvine (L).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Jory Bronken (L), the recipient of the 2024 Rod Glass Memorial Award revives a a Trophy Buckle from Julie DeSutter on behalf of Jeff and Jule DeSutter.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
The horses also shared in the awards through the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence which was sponsored by Import Tool Corp. Ltd. for the 20th consecutive year. Equine outfit of Excellence winners included Champion Right Leader “CHASKA” of Jason Glass’ outfit, Champion Left Leader “GRAYSON” of Chanse Vigen’s outfit, Champion Right Wheeler “LAW” of Rae Croteau Jr.’s outfit, Champion Left Wheeler for the second consecutive year is “MARSHMALLOW” of Jamie Laboucane‘s outfit. “J.J.” of Chad Fike’s outfit and “HUME” of Kurt Bensmiller’s outfit were the champion Outriding Horses.
Former Outrider and current WPCA Officer Eddie Melville (back row, far right) and also from Import Tool Corp. Ltd., presents Cash Awards and Commemorative Photos to the 2024 Equine Outfit of Excellence Awards to: (Back Row L-R): Jason Glass on behalf of his horse “CHASKA,” Jamie Laboucane on behalf of his horse “MARSHMALLOW,”
Kurt Bensmiller on behalf of his horse “Hume.”
(Front Row L-R): Chanse Vigen Brendan Nolin on behalf of on behalf of his horse “GRAYSON,” and Chad Fike on behalf of his horse “Hume.” Additional recipient “LAW” of Rae Croteau Jr’s outfit was unable to attend.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
The event, hosted by WPCA track announcer Les McIntyre was a tremendous success. It was also announced in the fall that longtime WPCA broadcaster Arnie Jackson would be inducted into the 2025 Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association extends its congratulations to all the award winners and a big THANK YOU to all of the corporate partners, fans, race officials, committees, members of the media, chuckwagon families, support crews, and everybody who made the 2024 WPCA Pro Tour an enormous success. We look forward to seeing everyone back with great enthusiasm in 2025.
Billy Melville
