The summer of 2014 was a historic one for Bonnyville chuckwagon fans as one of their own was back on the tour representing the town on the professional circuit.
Danny Ringuette, 30, who was born and raised on a farm just outside of town, debuted on the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) scene last year, participating in the 10 scheduled events on the circuit.
“It was a dream come true,” said Ringuette, near his horse stable on his parent's farm just off Highway 660. “It is a whole new world when you step into the wagon box.”
Weekends have been busy for Ringuette ever since he put his horses in their stables on April 1. Since then he has been out several times a week and on weekends training and preparing for his second season in the CPCA.
“We are just get them exercising and getting them ready and in shape,” said Ringuette. “These horses are just like any athlete. They had the whole winter off. We need to keep driving them and stretch them out.”
While getting prepared and hooking several of his horses up to his wagon, it was clear Ringuette was excited for the start of the season.
“It was a really big learning curve in my career,” said Ringuette of his first season. “But it was fun and I learned at lot. I am just going to build on that last year and hopefully it will turn into some good runs this year.”
Of the ten events Ringuette competed in during his rookie season his best finish came in the final event of the season when he placed 19th at Lloydminster. It was a nice climb up from a disappointing start to the year, which saw him place 31st at North Battleford, 29th at Little Pine and 39th at Dewberry to start the season.
“It was my first year so I didn't have quite that many horses,” said Ringuette. “At the end of the year I was running short on horses, but I battled through it. I can only build from there.”
During his debut season Ringuette set modest expectations for himself by just hoping to drive smart and maybe win a few races.
This year those expectations have changed and he has set loftier goals.
“I want to make Calgary, that is my main goal,” said Ringuette, referring to the infamous Calgary Stampede. “Hopefully when I make Calgary, I can eventually win Calgary. I just want to get better every year that is my main goal.”
Ringuette finished 21st in the overall standings during the 2014 season. In order for a driver on the CPCA circuit to make the Calgary Stampede they have to finish in the top-10 of the year-end standings. A top-10 finish in the 2015 season would guarantee the driver a spot at Calgary for 2016.
Ringuette's path into the wagon box is an interesting one, and it is all thanks to World Professional Chuckwagon Association driver Doug Irvine.
Ringuette was first introduced to Irvine when he was around 19-years-old. His great uncle Victor Ringuette, owner of B&R Eckels Ltd., was Irvine's main sponsor. The Ringuette's were having a barbeque for Irvine back when he moved to the WPCA. It was at this event that Irvine asked a young Danny Ringuette to come help him out and work for his team.
“I have always been around horses. I hung around Doug for a few years and have been helping him out from them on,” said Ringuette. “He is the main reason I am racing today. He helped me out a lot.”
A long with Irvine, who makes his home near Iron River, many others in the community have been key supporters in making Ringuette's dream come true.
Folks such as Ringuette's main sponsor Sure Shot Wireline and other sponsors Timberwolf Environmental, Bonnyville Liquour store and Telecon.
“This is one of the biggest chuckwagon towns in the world. It is pretty great,” said Ringuette. “Hopefully one day I can race here. I think one day that would be amazing to race in front of that (Bonnyville) crowd.”
Ringuette added, “When you are doing something that you actually enjoy every day is a good day. You are out there and doing what you love, nothing beats it. It is just a dream of mine that came true.”
