CALGARY — The Calgary Stampede is well underway, and the Rangeland Derby is heating up. The northeast is well represented, with Layne MacGillivray leading the charge.
Billed as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede sees Saskatchewan competitors vying for a spot in the final dash for cash.
Layne MacGillivray, born and raised in Melfort, has deep roots in the community. In recognition of his accomplishments, the City of Melfort erected a sign in his honour at the city entrance after he captured the world championship title in 2023.
One of the most successful chuckwagon drivers in recent years, MacGillivray is making waves again in 2024. According to the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA), “2024 saw Layne, for the second time in the past three years, win the Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award, symbolic of the Calgary Stampede Safety/Aggregate Champion. He made his third consecutive trip to the Rangeland Derby’s championship final heat, and also qualified for the championship final at the Bonnyville Chuckwagon Championship.”
MacGillivray recorded 30 top-10 runs in 2024, including a day-money run at the Ponoka Stampede. He had eight additional runs in the top five and placed in the top 10 overall at eight of 10 show championships, it said on the WPCA website.
The 2023 world champion chuckwagon driver made history that year, becoming the first driver to receive the Calgary Stampede’s prestigious Guy Weadick Award and win the Rangeland Derby Championship in the same season.
Two other northeast Saskatchewan competitors are also contending in the 2024 Rangeland Derby — brothers Wade and Evan Salmond.
Wade Salmond of Weekes is quickly becoming one of the sport’s elite drivers. According to the WPCA, “He posted 23 top-10 runs, including a day-money run at the Calgary Stampede and 11 others that cracked the top five. He had a horse named to the Calgary Stampede Equine Athlete of Excellence, earned top-10 overall finishes at five shows, and made the playoff round for the Century Downs WINNERS’ ZONE Series for the second straight year.”
Wade, a second-generation driver, won the Orville Strandquist Top Rookie Driver Award in 2023, and had a horse named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence in 2022. He is the older brother of Evan Salmond, nephew of former driver Ray Salmond, and cousin of former driver Rod Salmond.
Evan Salmond, of Hudson Bay is entering his 15th season with the WPCA in 2025. “During his time with the WPCA,” the association said. “Evan has won the Medicine Hat Stampede, Grande Prairie Stompede and Dewberry World Chuckwagon Races. He has had four horses named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence and was the WPCA’s Most Improved Driver in 2012.”
In 2024, Evan posted 10 top-10 runs, including four that cracked the top five. His top performances were a pair of overall top-10 finishes at the Grande Prairie Stompede and the Wild West WPCA World Chuckwagon finals in Ponoka.
Evan began his career in 2008 on the Western Chuckwagon Association (WCA) circuit. He won the Rycroft show in 2009, was runner-up for the WCA championship, and was named the WCA’s Most Improved Driver.
At the time of publication, three nights of racing had taken place. MacGillivray was sitting in 11th place, Evan Salmond in fifth, and Wade Salmond in 19th. Wade’s team took a four-second penalty on the first night after an outrider hit one of his barrels. Chance Vigen is first in the aggregate after day three.
To follow the latest results and standings, visit the WPCA .
