After 10 years of thrills and few spills, the Chickwagon has become a permanent fixture at the Calgary Stampede chuck wagon races.
The dream child of 10 Calgary women entrepreneurs, the rig started in 1999 as a fun way for them to participate in the 10 day cowboy festival.
Since then, the concept of the Chickwagon has grown into a major charitable foundation and trust that supports women’s charities year round.
“The first year it was just ladies who wanted to sponsor a chuck wagon,” said Rick Fraser of Wetaskiwin, Alta., who was the project’s first driver in 1999 and was named rookie of the year while driving under their sponsorship.
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“We got more publicity that year than the guy who won the Stampede.”
He races in 10 events a year, travelling with a crew that includes his wife, Sue, their children and a couple dozen horses.
For the last three years, the women have partnered with Heninger Toyota of Calgary.
As well, tarps are sold for thousands of dollars and help the drivers defray costs during the May-September chuck wagon season.
This year, the group successfully bid on Fraser’s sponsorship at the chuck wagon tarp auction and brought him back under its umbrella for the Rangeland Derby.
A soft-spoken family man, Fraser said he was happy to work with the women in their unique approach to the rough and tumble world of men, sweat, horses, manure and wagons.
“It was really a sport dominated by men, whether it was sponsorship or men driving,” he said.
“They broke new ground when they decided to get together.”
After their early success, members of the original group formed the Chickwagon Foundation to support charities for abused women and prevention of domestic violence.
They formed a non-profit society with a strict code of ethics and a five year business plan that Fraser and other drivers accept because it respects families and provides high standards for animal welfare in a uniquely Canadian sport.
Happy retirement
Fraser said it is all about the horses. His team consists of retired racehorses that live the good life on his ranch throughout the year.
“If it wasn’t for chuck wagons, there would be 3,000 racehorses who would get a one way ticket to France (for the meat market),” he said. “Caring for these horses is 24/7. It’s like running a dairy.”
Sixty women now belong to Chickwagon.
Board member Leann Kruger, who works for Parkland Agri Services, said the group is a good way to have fun and get involved in the community.
“Calgary is so much oil and gas, but agriculture is really the foundation of everything we do.”
While the group was started by well heeled female entrepreneurs, women from all walks of life and cultures are encouraged to join. The goal is to have 150 members who can offer their sweat and time to the group’s various causes.
“There is a lot of talent out there and we recognize you may not all have the financial benefits,” Kruger said.
Membership fees may be paid over the year and people can give to the foundation in ways other than money. During the Stampede, the group provides entertainment at the rodeo barns after the races and looks after families and crews by providing meals and running errands.
“It is a privilege to be a part of it and to be back here,” Kruger said.
Men are not excluded. Husbands and partners of the Chicks are called Chickmates and their children are Chicklets.
Starting in 2001, the Chickwagon Foundation for Women commissioned Canadian artists to donate original artwork for a charity auction. In 2004, the Chickwagon Trust Fund was established and formed a partnership with the YWCA of Calgary to support abused women and prevent domestic violence.
This year, six western themed paintings and a bronze were donated for a gala night where guests paid $75 each to bid.
Chickwagon has spent $250,000 buying tarps and donated $300,000 to charity. Members do not receive any of the drivers’ winnings.
In addition to the women-in-need programs, the group also started a scholarship at the University of Calgary to be awarded to a masters student in social work who specializes in domestic violence.
Each year, members put together about 150 gift baskets of toiletries for underprivileged women. They also decorated an entire floor of the YWCA’s temporary accommodations for women.
