Calgary Stampede celebrates 100 years of chuckwagons, as does the Glass family

The sound of the thundering hooves and an electrifying crowd is the perfect recipe for an incredible performance at this year’s Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races.

Those in attendance have been treated to a lot of record-breaking performances, as the races celebrate 100 years at the Stampede — having made their debut in 1923.

The races have certainly been memorable for all the right reasons.

There has been an incredible five race track records broken over the last few nights.

Now, Obrey Motowylo holds the record with a time of 1 minute, 9 seconds, and 61 milliseconds.

So what’s behind all the record-breaking runs?

Many people are pointing towards a change made last year, which saw the rail around the racetrack being amended, extending the distance between the wagons and the edge of the track.

The sport has underwent a lot of changes in recent years, mostly in an effort to create better safety for the horses.

It’s all in the family

For one chuckwagon driver, racing is in their blood.

Jason Glass is no stranger to chuckwagon racing.

“It just comes natural, you do what you got to do, just communicate through your body, through your lines to the horses,” he said. “The best part of the day is when that horn blows. When that horn blows, that’s where it all unfolds, all the tension’s gone.”

As the races celebrate a century, so do the Glass’s.

Jason Glass poses in front of his chuckwagon at the Calgary Stampede rodeo grounds on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Logan Stein, CityNews image)

Glass’s great-grandpa first took the reins in 1923, before winning three totals over the span of a decade.

Then, his grandpa got in the driver’s seat and won four titles of his own in the 1940s.

The tradition continued with Glass’s father earning four victories in the ’80s and ’90s.

Before the turn was finally Jason’s — who won his first title in 2013.

“The Calgary Stampede’s a huge part of our life,” he said.

It’s this long-standing legacy that bring him pride, especially not that his 12-year-old son and daughter are getting interested in working in the barn as well.

“I grew up my whole life around these horses, and my kids are doing that now too. I think it’s a great life, you learn so much every day from these horses and the people that are around here. I think they’re going to learn a lot and be great adults when they finally get there,” said Glass.

But, whether the tradition continues, he adds, will be up to them.

“Whatever they choose to do, is all fine with me,” Glass said.

With four nights of racing remaining, Chanse Vigan is in the lead.

The horn sounds shortly before 8 p.m.