Sunday, July 7, 2013
Didn’t have anything
planned for this morning, so we got to sleep in!! Weather was nice enough early
this afternoon that I sat outside for a bit. Finished the frilly scarf I was
making for Fran. Now have to get busy with sweater for Grandson, Tucker.
Tonight was Chuck Wagon
Races at the Stampede. I had never been to this event before, so the process
was interesting to watch. They did eight heats of four wagons per heat. Wagons
had to meet a minimum weight, including the driver, they each had two outriders
that had to finish within a certain number of yards of the wagon or they were
disqualified. One of the outriders had to stand at the back of the wagon with a
small barrel, when the horn sounded, he would throw the barrel into the back of
the wagon, then mount his horse. These horses were thoroughbreds, so they were
a little high strung and the riders changed horses each race. That meant that
the rider didn’t know the horse and that caused a few comical instances; the
horse would turn in circles and not let the rider mount (one rider was ¾’s of
the way behind the rest of the pack in one race because of this), or the horse
would insist on going the opposite direction of the one required, causing the
rider to lag behind. Anyway, the wagons
were pulled by teams of four horses, also thoroughbreds and also very high
strung, with minds of their own! The drivers really had to work to get the
horses all going in the same direction at the same time. The track was just
wide enough for the four wagons to race down the track side by side, to watch
them pass each other at breakneck speeds had us all on the edge of our seats!
During one break in the
races a team of Clydesdale’s came out for a few minutes to parade in front of
us. Beautiful team!! Six gorgeous matching giants, prancing in step; a sight to
see! The carriage they were pulling wasn’t bad either.
After the wagon races came
the “Entertainment”. A wide variety of acts, including a group from my
generation…KISS! They played one song and I’m sure they were worn out from
that, they have to be pushing 70!! Lots
of dancers and acrobatic acts, one guy on piano was brought in via high wires
(didn’t catch his name), but he was pretty good. After the live entertainment came the
fireworks and they were spectacular! Always something new and this display was
no exception.
We didn’t get out of the
Stampede grounds until almost midnight, but got right on the next train, and
got seats right away, so that was a lucky break!! It was 1:00am before we got
back to camp. Needless to say, we were dragging!!
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