2023 had it’s special moments for Wade, as he not only got to compete at the COWBOYS Rangeland Derby for the first time at the Calgary Stampede’s centennial celebration of chuckwagon racing, but he captured the Stampede’s Orville Strandquist Top Rookie Driver Award in one of the closest and memorable contests in the history of the award.
Wade’s 2023 season also saw him qualify for the championship final heat at the Battle of the Foothills, and was a semi-finalist at the Ponoka Stampede. He posted twenty-five top ten runs, including a day money run at the Battle of the Rockies, and six runs that also cracked the top five. In 2022, Wade had a horse named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence.
Wade is a 2nd generation driver and the older brother to current driver Evan Salmond, his uncle is former driver Ray Salmond and cousin is former driver Rod Salmond.
Prior to driving big wagons, Wade drove pony chuckwagons and pony chariots for 25 years and won dozens of show championships, including several prestigious shows such as the Big M Stampede in Morris, Manitoba, and the Ponoka Stampede to name a few.
Wade is a rancher and along with his brother Evan and their father, run a logging operation. He enjoys playing hockey, fishing, and watching his kids play sports. Wade has 3 children – Marty, Jorja and Lukas and along with his wife Kim make their home in Weekes, Saskatchewan.
