Chuckwagon champ weighs in on why sport is so popular in Meadow Lake

Meadow Lake’s Colby Stanley is fresh off securing his second straight Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association championship, a title he said was made sweeter by winning close to home.

Stanley, who grew up in Onion Lake and now lives in Meadow Lake, said chuckwagon racing has deep roots in both communities, where horses, hockey and outdoor life are part of the local identity.

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“I live for horses and hockey, and it seems like where I come from, that’s kind of all we love and do,” Stanley said. “That horse, that animal that we deal with every day, it’s kind of who we are in Onion Lake as people. I feel like that’s a big part of our culture and it always has been.”

Stanley said both championship years followed a similar path. He entered the final weekend in the sixth and final qualifying spot, then had to race his way into the last three before taking a shot at the title.

“Last year I got in with half a point into the final-six spot. This year I held on to that sixth spot as well. We knew we were out for the high point award, so the next thing you chase is that final dash for cash.”

The final dash saw Stanley face off against seasonal champion Brad McMann and Danny Ringuette at the track in Onion Lake, with Stanley beating McMann by a nose and Ringuette trailing behind.

Stanley credited his family and crew for helping him stay focused through the season, including his wife Justine, their four sons, Stetson, Jackson, Case and Cinch, longtime crew member DJ Gamble and two younger crew members, Trey and Kyson.

Stanley said he did not grow up as a chuckwagon driver himself. His wife raced pony chuckwagons and chariots, and he first became involved by helping her at races and taking care of chores.

His move into the CPCA came after the death of his uncle Kirby in 2020. Stanley said his cousin Curtis approached him about keeping the family’s orange-and-black colours on the track in Kirby’s honour.

“We never actually saw ourselves taking it this far,” Stanley said. “It’s pretty unreal.”

Now, he said chuckwagon racing has become a family lifestyle. His sons are already around horses, with ponies, chariots, thoroughbreds, gymkhanas and sheep riding all part of the family’s routine.

“My kids have been coming right out of the hospital to the chuckwagons, basically,” he said. “When you see them out there playing with other wagon kids and just making those friendships and those memories, it makes it all worth it.”

Stanley said Meadow Lake remains one of the strongest chuckwagon communities he knows, even without a local track.

“When you look at Meadow Lake, it’s one of the biggest chuckwagon communities there is. We have so many pony guys and thoroughbred guys, and it’s too bad we don’t have a track anymore. But even without the track and nowhere to race, we still have guys coming out of there left, right and centre,” Stanley explained.

The CPCA circuit travels through Saskatchewan and Alberta, with stops including Batoche, Beardy’s, Whitecap Dakota, Lloydminster and Onion Lake. Stanley, who is also a CPCA director, said Battleford is expected to return to the schedule next year, and there has been interest in adding Prince Albert.

He said Onion Lake has become a centre point for the circuit, and the track there carries personal meaning. Stanley said he helped build the racetrack when he was young, along with family and community members.

“It was always just a dream to be able to run on it one day,” Stanley said. “To be able to win a championship at home like that in front of my own crowd was pretty crazy.”

As for what comes next, Stanley said he does not see himself stepping away from the sport any time soon.

“I can’t see myself doing anything different,” he said. “I imagine I’m going to be doing this as long as I can.”