After a nearly 3-year absence, a night of celebration took take place on October 29, 2022 at the Grey Eagle Casino on the beautiful Tsuu T’ina Nation in Calgary with the 40th annual World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) Awards Gala. It was a night that honored those who achieved greatness this past season, as well as those who have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the most exciting professional sport in the world today. The evening was a tremendous success, with one of the highlights being the video presentations highlighting the 2022 season and all the champions were well received by a near capacity crowd.
2022 World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Layne MacGillivray receives the World Championship Bronze Trophy on behalf of GMC Canada from Mark Rainey – General Motors Regional Director Western Canada
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
As well, the WPCA remembered those who “went west” over the past year which included active supporters Ron Carey, Jay Contway, Bill Maclure, Russ Peake, Doug Streeper, Lynn Cadrain, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip – The Duke of Edinburgh, Einar Brasso, Keith Rutherford, Bob Norton, Ken Stuart, Victor Ringuette, Sue-Anne Wearmouth, Fred Thomassen, Milly Pedersen, Ralph Vold, Ron May, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, former competitors Ray Croteau, Ralph Buzzard, Stan “Buster” Walker, Ken “Smoky” Wilson, Allen McMillan, Dave Shingoose, Norm Haynes, Garry Mayan, Doug Lauder, Ron Bolin, Frank Dahlgren, Wally Greenwood, Wayne Dagg, Jim Carothers, Lawrence Gooch and Jim Knight.
2022 World Champion Outrider Rory Gervais (L) receives the World Championship Bronze Trophy, the World Championship Trophy Buckle on behalf of the WPCA, and a commemorative photo on behalf of Shellie Scott Photography from WPCA Assistant to the GM Lleyton Bates (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Layne MacGillivray was the top honoree this year as he captured the 2022 World Chuckwagon Championship for the first time in his career, and Rory Gervais was the 2022 World Champion Outrider for the for the third time.
Carlo Lucente (L) and Wendy Daniel (R) of the Ranchman’s present a Commemorative Trophy to legendary chuckwagon driver Kelly Sutherland (C) for being recognized with the 2022 WPCA Special Tribute Award.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
The WPCA Special Tribute was given to 12-time World and 12-time Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Champion – chuckwagon legend Kelly Sutherland.
Special presentations were made to GMC Canada in recognition of 10 years of Partnership with the WPCA, retiring WPCA General Manager Tammy Kristiansen for her 10 years of service to the WPCA, and WPCA Assistant to the GM Lleyton Bates received the WPCA Special Recognition Award.
WPCA General Manager Tammy Kristiansen (L), presents a special Shadow Box to Mark Rainey – General Motors Regional Director Western Canada to recognize GMC Canada’s 10 consecutive years of Partnership with the WPCA.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Retiring WPCA General Manager Tammy Kristiansen (L), receives a Commemorative Plaque from former Outrider and current WPCA Officer Eddie Melville (R) for 10 years of dedicated service to the WPCA.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
WPCA Assistant to the GM Lleyton Bates (R), receives a Commemorative Buckle from WPCA Driver Director Wade Salmond (L) for Special Recognition from the WPCA.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Additional special presentations were made to Renuu Production Optimization recognizing their support of chuckwagon racing and the WPCA, and GMC Canada presented to all of the show winners on the 2022 WPCA Pro Tour with customized Leather Jackets in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments of being able to call themselves a show champion this past season. They included Grande Prairie Stompede Champion Doug Irvine, Ponoka Stampede Champion Ross Knight, Battle of the Foothills Champion Rae Croteau Jr., Strathmore Stampede Champion Kurt Bensmiller, Battle of the North Champion Layne MacGillivray, Battle of the Rockies Champion Roger Moore, Dewberry World Chuckwagon Races Champion Evan Salmond, Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship Champion Chanse Vigen, and the only multi win champion this year Kris Molle who captured the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, the Century Downs Aggregate Championship, and the Century Downs “Winners’ Zone” Championship.
WPCA Marketing Manager Bryan Hebson (R) makes a Special Sponsor Presentation to Kevin and Rosalee Steeves of Renuu Production Optimization.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Mark Rainey (Standing Far Right) – General Motors Regional Director Western Canada presents custom Leather Jackets to 2022 WPCA Show Champions: (Back Row Standing L-R): Kris Molle – Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, Century Downs Aggregate Championship, and Century Downs “Winners’ Zone” Championship Champion, Cruise Bensmiller on behalf of Strathmore Stampede Champion Kurt Bensmiller, Doug Irvine – Grande Prairie Stompede Champion, (Front Row L-R): Ross Knight – {Ponoka Stampede Champion and Layne MacGillivray – Battle of the North Champion.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Jason Glass received the WPCA Clean Drive Award for least penalized driver for the second time in his illustrious career.
Jason Glass (L), 2022 WPCA Clean Driver Award winner receives a Trophy Buckle, Leather Jacket and Trophy Wristwatch from Myrnie and Ken Malvin from KMC Sales Inc.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Jason Glass received the WPCA Clean Drive Award for least penalized driver for the second time in his illustrious career.
The Herman Flad Memorial Award for Most Improved Driver went to Chad Fike for the second time in his career, while sophomore outrider Nolan Cameron received the Rod Glass Memorial Award for Most Improved Outrider.
Chad Fike (C), the recipient of the 2022 Herman Flad Memorial Award receives a Trophy Buckle on behalf of the the Troy Flad Family from chuckwagon drivers Gage Flad (L) and Troy Flad (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Nolan Cameron (R), the recipient of the 2022 Rod Glass Memorial Award revives a the Permanent Trophy and a Trophy Buckle on behalf of the Glass and Cosgrave families, and a Commemorative Photo on behalf of Easton wagon Photography from World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Jason Glass (L).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Cruise Bensmiller was named the WPCA’s Top Rookie Driver, while no award was given this year to recognize the WPCA Top Rookie Outrider.
Boe and Janet Stone from Revolution Hot Tub present a Trophy Buckle to the recipient of the 2022 WPCA Top Rookie Driver Cruise Bensmiller (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
The horses also shared in the awards through the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence. Equine outfit of Excellence winners included “BREEZE” of Kris Molle’s outfit on Right Lead, “MER” of Layne MacGillivray’s outfit on Left Lead, “ROCCO” of Chad Fike’s outfit on Right Wheel, “FRANKIE” of Wade Salmond outfit on Left Wheel, and “RIVER” of Rae Croteau Jr.’s outfit and “COCO” of Chanse Vigen’s outfit were the champion Outriding Horses.
Former Outrider and current WPCA Officer Eddie Melville (back row, far right) and also from Import Tool Corp. Ltd., presents Cash Awards and Commemorative Photos to the 2022 Equine Outfit of Excellence Awards to: (Back Row L-R): Layne MacGillivray on behalf of his horse “MER,” Kris Molle
on behalf of his horse “BREEZE,” Shellie Scott on behalf of Chanse Vigen’s horse “COCO.” Chad Fikle on behalf of his horse “ROCCO,” (Front Row L-R): Brendan Nolin on behalf of Rae Croteau Jr’s horse “RIVER,” Wade Salmond on behalf of his horse “FRANKIE.”
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Richelle Flad (R), the 2022 recipient of the Ty Tournier Memorial Award receives a trophy Bracelet on behalf of Lynn and Steve Fountain from the 2019 recipient Jenifer Dorchester (L).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Chuckwagon driver Kelly Morin (R) presents the 2022 WPCA Active Supporter Award to Julie and Jeff DeSutter on behalf of the WPCA.
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Chuckwagon Dean Dreger (R) accepts the 2022 WPCA Top Race Committee Award on behalf of the Grande Prairie Stompede from fellow driver Mark Sutherland (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
Top Photo: WPCA Marketing Manager Bryan Hebson (R) presents the 2022 WPCA Media Award to recipient Shellie Scott (L). Bottom Photo: Chuckwagon Commentator Billy Melville (R) on behalf of Bill Melville Productions Ltd., presents the 2022 WPCA Media Award to the After the Ninth Podcast represented by Kass Patterson (L) and chuckwagon driver Dayton Sutherland (R).
Photo By Easton Wagon Photography
The event, hosted by track announcer Les McIntyre was a tremendous success, and congratulations to all the 2022 champions and award winners.
Billy Melville
