A cornerstone of modern chuckwagon racing, Kurt has captured four World Championships, four Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby titles, four Calgary Stampede Aggregate Titles, and two Ponoka Stampede championships. In 2017, he made history as the sport’s first modern-day “Grand Slam†winner, capturing all four major titles in a single season.
His 2011 appearance in the Rangeland Derby Championship Final Heat was historic, marking the first time three generations of the same family—alongside his father Buddy and grandfathers Allen Smith and Allan Bensmiller—qualified for the Championship Final Heat.
In 2025, Kurt recorded 19 top-ten runs, including two day-money runs and six additional top-five runs. He posted six top-ten overall show results, qualified for three hampionship final heats, reached the Ponoka Stampede semifinals, and capped the season with a dominant showing at the Lloydminster CPCA Finals to win the CPCA’s flagship show.
A two-sport athlete, he was also a member of the 2009 Allan Cup champion Bentley Generals. Kurt and his wife Ashly have three daughters—Harlee, Hayze, and Vahn—and reside in Dewberry, Alberta.
