Trailblazer
Tom Dorchester
Tom Dorchester’s desire to be a chuckwagon driver came in 1922 when he rode his first horse race and won. He was a winning outider for several years and as a driver he had 45 major career victories.
He was born south of Wetaskewin, Alberta May 31, 1911. Tom and his wife Joy raised four sons and three daughters.
In 1973 he became the first wagon driver to receive the CRCA’s Cowboy of the Year award. Among his many honours, he was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1984 and in 1987 the World Professional Chuckwagon Association gave Tom its highest award, the Chuckwagon Person of the Year.
In 1968 history was made when for the only time in chuckwagon racing history, a father competed against three of his sons at the Calgary Stampede. Son Gary won the Rangeland Derby that year.
His career spanned over 40 years and in 1982 he began working as a colour commentator on the radio broadcasts of the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races.
Tom passed away at the age of 80 in July 1991. Tom’s son Dallas had qualified for the sudden death championship that year and wearing his dad’s hat in the final heat, Dallas won that championship.
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