A turn in the economy means two foothills area chuckwagon drivers will have some extra cash in their pockets when they turn the barrels at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
High River’s Jason Glass had his tarp sell for $90,000 at the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby tarp auction at the Round-up Centre in Calgary on March 31 while Mark Sutherland of Okotoks had his tarp sell for $85,000.
Last year’s Sutherland’s tarp was sold for $75,000 and he said he was pleased to see the auction numbers climb back up this year.
“I think the Calgary Stampede is a pretty good indicator of what people think the economy is like in Calgary,” said Sutherland. “I guess people think the economy is turning around.”
The 36 wagons at this year’s Calgary Stampede sold for a total of $2.84 million, which was an increase of $876,000 from 2010.
Kelly Sutherland, the defending World Professional Chuckwagon Association and Calgary Stampede champion, received the highest bid at Thursday’s auction at $170,000.
Mark Sutherland said while the extra cash will come in handy this season, he puts a bigger emphasis on where he places among the 36 drivers.
“I want to be up there with the top drivers,” said Sutherland whose $85,000 sale was eighth highest among the 36 drivers. “I am not disappointed with eighth, it puts me right up there.”
Sutherland’s tarp was purchased by Cowboys, a renowned watering hole in Calgary whose patrons have been known to have a beer or two during Stampede week.
Ironically, Sutherland has been on the wagon in regards to alcohol for approximately 16 years.
“I know that Paul Vickers has been a big sponsor of the Stampede for years,” Sutherland said with a laugh. “I also know my barn hands spend a lot of time at Cowboys — they might spend more time there than they do in the barns.”
Once again, long-time sponsor Shaw GMC purchased the Glass tarp. Last year, Shaw bought his tarp for $70,000.
“This is our 20th year with Shaw GMC and it’s been a great relationship,” Glass said. “I know what to expect from them and they know what to expect from me. It is good recognition for everyone — the checkers, the Shaw tarp — it all works for both sides.”
He agreed with Sutherland’s statement the Stampede is an indicator of how the economy is in Alberta — noting GMC has had a big turnaround since 2010. He added the oil industry was strongly represented at Thursday’s tarp auction as well.
“I believe quite a bit of the oil industry is involved,” Glass said. “They are a large part of the Alberta economy and we need their support.”
The tarp of Glass’s cousin Colt Cosgrave sold for $97,500 to Plains Midstream Canada. Cosgrave was helped out by long-time wagon supporter Doug McLaughlin of High River Autoplex and RV who opted out of the bidding at $95,000.
The average winning bid for the 2011 tarp auction was $78,889. The low bid was $60,000.
Edmonton sale
The two foothills area wagon racers also did well at the Edmonton Capital Ex Derby Auction on Friday.
Mark Sutherland, who grew up in Grande Prairie, received the highest bid at $20,000 and Glass was third at $12,000.
Brian Mayan of High River, who was recently reinstated on the tour, was sold for $2,000 for the Edmonton races, which will take place July 23-26.
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association tarp auction was held on April 5 in Calgary. Those tour stops include the North American Chuckwagon Championships in High River.
For details on the auction go to www.westernwheel.com
