Wyoming State Chariot Race Championship winners announced in spite of winter conditions

Glendo – The annual Wyoming State Chariot races took place at the Glendo airport March 7. Races were scheduled to start on March 6 but were postponed until Sunday due to a winter storm. Roughly 100 spectators, contestants, volunteers, 4-H and FFA members ventured out in the below-freezing weather for the racing activities over the weekend.

Contestants shared the track was nicely prepared and times were as good as Jan. 29-30 times. Chariot teams competed in four divisions based on speed during the state championships. 

Results 

In Division One, Morgan Quarter Horses Team One with horses Candy Cartel and Jess was driven by Roy Morgan Jr. of Guernsey, had a total time of 22.92 seconds, closely followed by HLH Nelson Quarter Horses with horses Almost Corona and Miss Jael driven by Tom Nelson, placed second with a time of 23.23 seconds. January race times for Division One winners were 45.88 and 46.05 seconds respectively.   

The first-place team in Division Two – T&M Jack’s Brats with horses Bash’s Shadow and Boomers Special, was driven by Jenny Clutter and placed with a total time of 23.60 seconds. Morgan Quarter Horses Team Three, with horses Lucky and Biden was driven by Duane Morgan, and placed second with a time of 23.63 seconds. January race times for Division Two winners were 47.1 and 47.13 seconds respectively. 

Division Three’s winning team, Horse Creek Express, featured horses Goody, Goody, Goody and Cowboy driven by John Williams for a time of 23.69 seconds. Children’s Inheritance, with horses Shaker and Buggs driven by Stretch Austin finished with a time of 23.73 seconds placed second. January winner times were 48.05 and 48.7 seconds. 

Morgan Quarter Horses Team Two, with horses Tru P and Tex driven by Roy Morgan Jr., placed first in Division Four with a time of 24.03 seconds. First place in January stopped the clock at 50.05 seconds. 

Club involvement 

Over the weekend, the Horseshow Livestock 4-H Club hosted a 50/50 raffle which raised $820. Dale Andreen won the split and graciously gave part of his winnings back to the 4-H club. The group has plans to use funds for livestock showing and fitting equipment, including a cattle chute and lamb block.  

January’s raffle brought in $2,395 with half of the winnings going to the 4-H club. The 4-H club donated half of their earnings back to the Platte County 4-H Leadership Council. 

In addition to the races, the group hosted a happy hour and calcutta Friday night at Angler’s Bar with a dinner and calcutta at Mickes Family Restaurant Saturday night. Calcutta auctions also occurred during the races.  

Additionally, proceeds from the chariot races’ calcutta will be distributed to the Glendo FFA, Horseshow Livestock 4-H Club and Platte County 4-H Leadership Council. 

Advertising was paid by a grant from Platte County Lodging and Tourism Joint Powers Board. 

Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments to roundup@wylr.net.