Racing to Win: How Partnerships Fuel Chuckwagon Dreams at the Calgary Stampede

Ross Knight of St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, has been driving chuckwagons since 1991, so he knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in this exciting sport. Every July, the Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta takes over GMC Stadium at Stampede Park for 10 exciting days of Chuckwagon racing featuring the best of the best in the sport.

“I love the thrill of it – it's exciting to do and the races are exciting,” says Knight. “The horses are just like a big extended family. They're fun to be around. They're fun to train. And, yeah, it's a great lifestyle. It's a great lifestyle to bring your kids up in.”

Caring for his team during the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede and year-round isn’t cheap. That’s why support from advertisers is vital to Knight and the 26 other drivers who compete in Calgary. Every year in April, companies bid at the Canvas Auction to advertise on their tarps, providing crucial funding for their success.

For the past two years, Knight has been supported by MobSquad, an IT consulting firm based in Calgary.
 
“Without their support, we wouldn't be able to race wagons,” says Knight. “It goes towards anything from paying wages to outriders, supplying all the feed for the horses, purchasing new horses for the following year, and just going down the road – paying the fuel bills and truck rentals and stuff like that.”
 
With a bid of $96,000 at the 2024 Canvas Auction, MobSquad made racing possible for Knight, and in the process gained access to one of the most unique, authentic and exclusive business opportunities available to companies looking for a new way to engage with their audiences and host clients during the Calgary Stampede.
 
Beyond having their brand showcased on Knight’s Chuckwagon canvas every night during the Stampede, MobSquad also gained access to host clients and special guests before the races in the Chuckwagon barns.
 
“Their CEO, Irfhan Rawji, is very community-minded,” says Knight. “They have a contest every year with the University of Calgary where First Nations artists get the opportunity to design the tarp, and he brings very important people down to the barns every night. They’re a really fun group to have and the people they bring down are great.”