2023 Calgary Stampede Cowboys Rangeland Derby Champions
Spray Lakes Sawmills Outfit
(L-R): Taygan MacGillivray, Loreena McGillivray, Driver Layne MacGillivray,
Jason Sharpe, President of ATCO Gas & Pipelines Presenting
Outriders Brendan Nolin, Trey MacGillivray, Tristen Shaw
Photo By Billy Melville
As the 100th Anniversary of the chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede came to a close on a perfect night of chuckwagon racing, the finals of the Calgary Stampede Cowboys Rangeland Derby was an exciting and historic event. In the end, reigning World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Layne MacGillivray, driving the Spray Lakes Sawmills Outfit, and along with outriders Brendan Nolin and Trey MacGillivray, won the championship final from barrel number 2 in heat number 9, by 34 one-hundredths of a second over four-time Rangeland Derby Champion Kurt Bensmiller who placed 2nd from barrel number 3, while first time finalist Ross Knight placed third from barrel position number 1. It was a penalty-free Championship Final Heat.
It’s the first time that Layne MacGillivray has won the Cowboys Rangeland Derby Championship as a chuckwagon driver, having won twice as an outrider for Hughie Sinclair in 2000 and 2004, a first for outrider Trey MacGillivray, and the third consecutive Rangeland Derby Championship for outrider Brendan Nolin who won in 2019 with Logan Gorst and last year with Kris Molle. Earlier on in the day, Layne MacGillivray received the Calgary Stampede’s prestigious Guy Weadick Award, given annually to the one chuckwagon or rodeo competitor who best represents what a cowboy stands for and embodies the spirit of the Calgary Stampede. It is based upon ability, appearance, showmanship, character, sportsmanship and cooperation with other cowboys, the arena crew, the media and the public. It’s the first time that a chuckwagon driver received the Guy Weadick Award and won the Rangeland Derby in the same year.
The Richard Cosgrave Memorial Aggregate/Safe Drive Award was won by Kurt Bensmiller for being the least penalized drivers over 10 nights of the Cowboys Rangeland Derby and for having the best time in the overall Aggregate Standings. Bensmiller was penalty free for all ten days and had the best aggregate time of all 27 competing drivers with a total time of 12:01.80.
In one of the most hotly contested contests, The Orville Strandquist Memorial Top Rookie Driver Award went to Wade Salmond for having the best 10-day Aggregate time of 12:18.26, edging out the other rookie sensation Preston Faithful. Salmond ended up in twelfth overall in his Rangeland Derby debut. Rory Gervais was named the Calgary Stampede’s Outstanding Outrider for an unbelievable seventh consecutive year.
The Equine Athlete of Excellence Awards recognizing the “real stars” of the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby were also handed out. Chanse Vigen’s “MAX” was recognized as the Champion Right Leader, Darcy Flad’s “HONOR” as the Champion Left Leader, Ross Knight’s WIDGET” the Champion Right Wheeler, Jamie Laboucane’s “MARSHMALLOW” the Champion Left Wheeler, and the Champion Outriding Horses were “MALIBU” of Layne MacGillivray and “FEVER” of Kurt Bensmiller.
On the night, Rae Croteau Jr. driving Cinch Oilfield Hauling Ltd. outfit, posted the fastest time on night 10 with a 1:12.67, 57 one-hundredths of a second better than 2023 champion Layne MacGillivray. 2023 Top Rookie Driver Wade Salmond placed third, followed by Chanse Vigen, with Kurt Bensmiller 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 Friday, July 21, 2023. Live action can be heard starting on Friday at 9:00pm ET, 8:00pm CT and 7:00pm MT on Real Country 910am.
Billy Melville
