Rookie wagon drivers compete in stampede

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Hockey is not the only sport to boast of rookie sensations. The Rangeland Derby, also known as the sport of chuckwagon racing, has its own share of rookies.

Take for example, Bruce Morin from Debden and Roger Moore of Loon Lake, Saskatchewan. Both these cowboys were running some pretty good fractions at this year's Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races.

Morin, a rookie last year as well, is a 44-year-old Cree who has managed some good running times, but often got hit with penalties that kept him low in the standings.

In 1996, the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association recognized him with the Harold Schiller Memorial Award as the most sportsman like driver, an honor voted on by his fellow drivers.

Although he was unable to crack the top ten at Calgary this summer, he did manage 23rd and gathered up $6,425 driving for the firefighters firewagon. That, of course, was an improvement over last year when he only placed 32nd.

Last year, he bought five new horses. "Only two turned out, but that's not bad odds," says the rookie, learned the ropes from Elton McGee.

Thanks to money raised at this year's tarp auction, Morin was able to purchase a few more thoroughbreds. He shipped in a total of 14 for the July 3 to 12 Calgary meet, but a couple went lame and he was left with just eight wagon horses and four for outriding.

"You have to have that Calgary cash to keep building though - to keep buying better-class horses," he maintains.

Morin finished 23rd at this year's meet.

"My horses were just beginning to peak towards the end of the Calgary meet," he said.

Had it not been for the fine performances of Troy Dorchester, Morin would likely have won the rookie title this year.

Another rookie worth some ink is Roger Moore, a Metis from Saskatchewan.

This young man was outriding for various drivers over the years and last year wound up not only driving, but winning the Orville Strandquist Award as the top rookie driver at last year's stampede.

Moore outrode for 14 years before taking a stab at wagon driving in 1994. He still outrides and has been recipient of the CPCA's High Point Champion Outride Award seven times.

He credits veteran driver Jim Knight for providing the encouragement that got him into the driver's seat.

In his very first year, 1994, Moore was driving at Unity where he wound up winning both day money and the show.

In 1997, Moore ranked 26 at Calgary and 12 in the Canadian standings. At Calgary this year, he improved to 24, winning $5,675 driving for the Kock Oil Co. Ltd. Like Morin, Moore is also looking to improve his string of thoroughbred horses.

Moore lives on the Loon Lake Reserve with his wife Joyce and their three children.