By Scott Fisher
It was like an entire litter of black cats was waiting to cross Jordie Fike’s wagon path.
Every day, it seemed, was like Friday the 13th for the veteran Blackie driver who, if he didn’t have bad luck, would have no luck at all.
The 2024 WPCA season was a disaster for Fike on almost every level.
“It was everything,” Fike said. “Right from trailer accidents to injuries …
“Just when you might think (the bad luck) might be over, something else would happen.”
Fike, who finished as high as fifth in 2021, tumbled to 35th on the world charts last year, forcing him to run on a permit for the first two shows of 2025.
The top four permit drivers following the opening nine nights of racing earned their permanent spots for the remainder of the season.
Fike, was one of four drivers who returned to full status last weekend.
For Fike, it was relief to know he wouldn’t miss his first summer on the circuit since he first climbed into the wagon box in 2007.
And not just for himself.
“We’ve had a rough couple of years leading up to this year,” the 38-year-old said.
“I had a lot of help … so much support out there. I think I used that as motivation, too, because there are so many people who want to see you do good. So you want to do good for them.
“Sometimes it’s good to use motivation outside of yourself.”
Fike, who sits sixth in the WPCA world standings heading into the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede (June 12-15), changed up his spring training this year, which has helped him avoid the black cloud that followed him around in 2024.
“I started training a month earlier than I usually do,” he said. “So when we finally hit the road, I had close to 60 days with the horses. We had a lot of miles on them by the time we got to Grande Prairie.
“We had a lot of the same horses but they have one more year of experience, and the feed program was much the same.”
Fike picked up a horse exerciser from his grandpa, which he credits for kickstarting what has been a successful start to the season.
“We moved that down in the middle of winter and a lot of friends helped me out to get it set up,” he said. “I spent a lot of hours watching them in there.
“Then I moved them to the training truck like I always do. But I think that exerciser helped b build a really strong foundation.”
And it’s hard to argue with the results.
“Yeah, this is probably the program I’ll follow from here on out.”
CHAMPIONS: Jamie Laboucane (Wild Rows Pump & Compression Ltd.) won last weekend’s Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship.
Obrey Motowylo took the season-opening Grande Prairie Stompede.
Jason Glass finished second at both shows and leads the world standings.
MOVING ON UP: Laboucane jumped nine spots in the world standings this week, moving from 21st to 12th. Evan Salmond was also on the move, leaping eight spots to sit in 10th spot overall.
ON THE AIR: Day 1 of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede can be heard live on WPCA Radio on Thursday night starting at 7 p.m. on The Ranch at 96.5 FM, or streaming options are available through the WPCA website at wpca.com, iHeart Radio website/app or the RadioPlayer Canada website/app.
