The CPCA is suspending the entire 2020 season till 2021 to protect the health of drivers, horses and more. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Chuckwagons Cancelled

CPCA suspends 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns

May 1, 2020 | 4:47 PM

The Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) officially suspended the 2020 racing season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement Friday, the CPCA outlined the decision made in order to protect staff contestants, fans and the communities who host each stop of the tour. After exploring several options for a potential start later in the summer, the board felt there were too many uncertainties and made the announcement at their own self-imposed deadline.

“The drivers need to know if they’re gonna bring their horses in, put shoes on em and start training them,” said marketing Manager Kim Carrey. “Unfortunately, we came to the decision to suspend the season till 2021.”

There was some disagreement amongst the chuckwagon community on the options available, but the board ultimately came to an agreement for this year. Carrey said drivers and their families are devastated by the news, but that this helps protect the people and animals involved, as well as give them time and resources to plan for next year.

“We were looking at what the best decision was for the Association as a whole,” she said. “I’m sure there’s a lot of mixed emotions.”

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Last years CPCA champion Todd Baptiste said it is tough missing out on a whole season.

“You lose a whole year of income on what you possibly could have made during the summer and that’s gonna play a big part of the next 12 months.”

Glaslyn local Amber L’Heureaux (who made history as the first female CPCA driver last season) said this is the first time in 27 years that she won’t be on the road for the summer. She said she’s disappointed, but unsurprised by the news.

“We kind of saw it coming the last couple weeks leading up to it, with the decision the Calgary Stampede made,” she said.

The second year driver is focused on maintaining the health of her animals. She said not training for racing has been a shock for them.

“Most nights they’re looking at the house as if to say, ‘well, it’s May, why aren’t we in the barn?’”

This move will have a significant impact outside of the racing community as well, as the CPCA’s decision comes just after the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association cancelled its annual fair. The CPCA Finals, which run the third weekend of August, is another summer staple for the area.

“It hurts the Exhibition Association and it hurts the city of Lloydminster,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers. “It has ramifications to the drivers, local youth organizations and [others].”

For now, the CPCA is focusing on producing online content. This includes continuing to broadcast Inside the CPCA, as well as introduce a new segment called Outside the Box. Carrey said this new segment will explore barn help, race personnel and others.

“We’ve got lots of ideas on people we’d like to interview and really let the CPCA fans know all the background people,” she said. “How much it takes to go down the road and put on a show.”

And for drivers, all they can do is continue to take care of their horses and prepare them for the following spring, in the hopes that the coronavirus situation has changed.

“We’re hoping for a brighter future for everybody,” Baptiste said. “We just have to keep strong and keep going.”

The first stop on the 2020 CPCA Tour would have been May 29-31 in Prince Albert.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports