2025 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta Champions
VisitLethbridge.com Outfit
(L-R): Outrider Ethan Motowylo, Driver Chanse Vigen, Outriders Rory Gervais and Trey MacGillivray
Photo By Billy Melville
There was an abundance of excitement in the air at Stampede Park as the finals of the 2025 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta were run on Sunday night. In an exhilarating and historic championship final, Chanse Vigen, driving the VisitLethbridge.com Outfit, and along with outriders Rory Gervais, Ethan Motowylo and Trey MacGillivray, won the Championship Final Heat from barrel number 3, by a large 1.27 margin over defending champion Jason Glass who placed second from barrel position number 1, while Jamie Laboucane who was making his first appearance in the Calgary Stampede’s Championship Final Heat, knocked a barrel, and had to settle for 3rd place from barrel number 2. It’s the first time Chanse Vigen has won the Rangeland Derby Championship in his fourth appearance in the Rangeland Derby’s Championship Final Heat.
The Richard Cosgrave Memorial Safe Drive Award was won by Logan Gorst for being the least penalized drivers over 10 nights of the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta and for having the best time in the overall Aggregate Standings. MacGillivray was penalty free for all ten days and had the best aggregate time of all 27 competing drivers with a total time of 12:18.52.
The Orville Strandquist Memorial Top Rookie Driver Award went to D.J. King for having the best 10-day Aggregate time of 12:36.02 among all of the first-time drivers. King was the only rookie driver to be invited to the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta in 2025. King ended up in twentieth overall in his Rangeland Derby debut. Rory Gervais was named the Calgary Stampede’s Outstanding Outrider for a record eighth time.
The Equine Athlete of Excellence Awards recognizing the “real stars” of the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby were also handed out. Jamie Laboucane’s “3 SCORE” was recognized as the Champion Left Leader, Chanse Vigen’s “Junior” the Champion Right Leader, Chad Fike’s “BRO” the Champion Left Wheeler, Obrey Motowylo’s “BUGSY” the Champion Right Wheeler, and the Champion Outriding Horses were “CALM” of Jason Glass and “WADE” of Darcy Flad.
On the night, Chanse Vigen championship run turned out to be the fast time on the night as well with a 1:11.24. Jason Glass placed second, Wade Salmond was third, with Darcy Flad and Obrey Motowylo filling out the top five on the final night of competition.
The WPCA Pro Tour resumes in High River for the Battle of the Foothills starting Thursday, July 24, 2022. Live action can be heard starting on Friday at 9:00pm ET, 8:00pm CT and 7:00pm MT on 96.5 The Ranch, or streaming options are available through the WPCA Website at wpca.com, iHeart Radio website/app or the Radioplayer Canada website/app..
Billy Melville
