By paNOW

Chuckwagon Association cancels races at Saskatoon Ex

Aug 9, 2012 | 11:38 AM

The Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) will not be racing at the Saskatoon Exhibition this year after it was unable to come to an agreement with Prairieland Park on where to safely house around 250 of its horses.

In past years, the horses stayed in an area near Marquis Downs. The land was no longer available after the Circle Drive South construction started last year.

Prairieland Park offered up another area, but it had the potential to become dangerously muddy if it rained.

“These guys, they put a lot of effort into their horses and taking care of them. They’re like family, and you can’t put them into a situation that’s not safe,” said Bryan Hebson, the association’s marketing and media director.

He said the other option was to rent land.

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“Which goes against our contract with any committee. To try and barn 200 horses and pay for that obviously kind of goes against what we do, and you pretty much go broke trying to do it.”

Hebson said this is the first time the association has run into this kind of issue. It’s considering choosing a different week to race in Saskatoon, in order to avoid competing for room during the Exhibition.

“I was a little shocked, because it was pretty short notice, but I guess I sort of understand where they’re coming from,” said Brenda Sapergia, livestock manager at Prairieland Park.

“At this point we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future either. We don’t know what will be left after the total construction is done. Everyone’s in the dark.”

Prince Albert’s Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association is still scheduled to race every night at 6:30 and on Sunday at 2 p.m.

bmcadam@rawlco.com

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