Reed Rosecrans might want to pick out a permanent stall at Westerner Days.
The North Dakota chuckwagon driver successfully defended his title at the Red Deer Motors North American Pony Chuckwagon Championships Sunday.
Much like 2018, Rosencrans earned the Alberta Professional Chuckwagons and Chariot Association Dash for Cash $2,500 prize with a top day time of 76.89 seconds and with that, took that aggregate title with a 319.87.
“Feels amazing. Something I never believed I could do. I kept basically the same four horses together and came back and duplicated it. Feels good, feels really good,” said Rosencrans, who added he’ll most likely be back to defend his title in 2020.
“I was feeling pretty good and I had been to two shows previous and I had good luck and won both those. Coming out here to Alberta, you have some of the toughest competition in Canada. That’s why I love coming out here to compete and seeing what my horses can do.”
All week long, Rosecrans was neck and neck with Neil Salmond, with the two just five one-hundredths of a second apart heading into the dash. Rosencrans drew the four-barrel in the final, swapped out one of his horses and that decision turned out to be key in the win.
Rosencrans also managed to edge out Lacombe’s John Stott, who finished the dash in 77.54 and was 320.96 for the week. The American said it was a battle all week long and he knew what to expect heading into the final race.
“Feels awesome. To beat those guys, John Stott, Chance Thompson and Neil Salmond of course, who’s been doing it forever is a pretty good accomplishment,” Rosecrans said.
“We’re always pushing and I drew the four-barrel today, so I took one horse off and switched to try and get some more speed because I knew I would be on the outside and it seemed to pay off.”
Salmond was eighth overall with a 79.42 but finished third on aggregate at 321.65.
Chance Thompson had the third-fastest time Sunday at 78.34 and Dale Young was fourth at 78.43. Young ended up fifth on the aggregate with a total time of 323.67.
In the chariot races, Martina Hubl earned the championship buckle with the best time Sunday and the aggregate victory. She finished the final day with a time of 77.68 and with 157.61. Louis Johner and Chester Blatz driving for Allan Bengston ended up tied for third.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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