Mark Sutherland, a well-known name in chuckwagon racing from Alberta, has announced his retirement from the sport after this season. Sutherland, who has been involved in chuckwagon racing for over three decades, feels that it’s time for him to have a life outside of the sport.
I love the horses. I love the competition, Sutherland said. It’s time for us to have a bit of a life outside the chuckwagons, if that’s possible.
This year, which marks the 100th year of chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede, will be Sutherland’s final time competing in the Rangeland Derby. He was awarded for top rookie driver at the prestigious event 27 years ago.
Hailing from De Winton, Alberta, Sutherland began his career in the sport as an outrider in 1986 before transitioning to become a driver in 1993. Throughout his career, he has been a four-time winner of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association Pro Tour and was recognized as the WPCA person of the year in 2011.
Sutherland, whose father Kelly Sutherland is a racing legend in his own right, admits that chuckwagon racing is a consuming sport that requires a significant amount of time, resources, and effort, not just from him but also from his family. He considers it a family sport and credits his family’s support for keeping him involved in the sport for so long.
His wife Dina, who was originally a barrel racer before they met, acknowledges that while they will miss the horses and the people in the sport, they won’t miss the immense amount of work that comes with it. The couple often had to miss out on celebrations such as weddings and family reunions due to their commitment to chuckwagon racing.
Sutherland’s retirement will also allow him to focus on other aspects of life that he has missed out on due to the demands of the sport. For the past 30 years, he hasn’t been able to work for six months out of the year, making it difficult to build a career outside of racing.
While his racing career may be coming to an end, Sutherland’s racing name will continue to live on through his son Dayton, who is also a university student and involved in the sport. The family plans to spend more time together, with Sutherland looking forward to fishing with his grandkids.
As the 100th year of chuckwagon racing draws to a close at the Calgary Stampede, Sutherland remains focused on the races ahead. He emphasizes that he is not trying harder this year than in previous years and that he and his horses are simply enjoying their final Stampede together.
After auctioning off 30 chuckwagon and outrider horses, Sutherland plans to take a few of his retired horses back to the ranch. While it will be tough to part with these special horses, he wants to ensure that they can continue their careers and promises to watch them from afar.
For Sutherland, retirement from chuckwagon racing means a chance to have a life outside of the sport, focus on work, and spend more time with his family. It marks the end of an era in his racing career, but the legacy of the Sutherland racing name will continue through the next generation.
