YORKTON - It’s summer fair time in Yorkton and that means chariot and chuckwagon action on the track.
For two young racers, part of the Eastern Professional Chariot & Chuckwagon Association the three days of action in front of the Legacy Co-op Grandstand means three more runs around the track learning the sport..
“From a young age I’ve always been interested in horses,” offered Wyatt Petelski, 18, ahead of day one of racing in the National Bank Financial Championship.
TJ Moosetail, 16, said his interest grew out of meeting a member of the Rookes family (Hayden their teacher), who have a long history in the sport.
The pair of young horsemen, Petelski from Swan River and Moosetail from Minitonas started helping out around the horses and races.
“Last year we both started racing with them (the Rookes),” said Moosetail.
So far the young duo have concentrated on chariots, which when you are starting out can still be a challenging handful.
Petelski took his first official drive in Archerwill last summer.
Asked if it lived up to his expectation his reply was one word “better.”
After some further reflection Petelski admitted he was scared to get out there, but quickly added “the end result was good.”
Moosetail said fear was with him his first race in Sturgis, adding he was amazed at the power of the fast-running ponies.
“I almost popped out of the cart,” he said.
Petelski said the speed is amazing.
“You never expect it to be that fast. It was wild . . . You feel like you’re just faster than the speed of light,” he said.
Both Petelski and Moosetail dream of stepping up to chuckwagons one day, but they have much to learn yet.
As it is there are skills to hone with chariots, how to cut the barrels quicker and how to race hard but not get in the way of other drivers.
And a win would be nice too.
Moosetail had a top-five finish in St. Rose, Man. but that’s as close as either have come.
“We’re still babies,” he said.
