Near-miss for rider at Calgary Stampede as chuckwagon overturns

A chuckwagon driver and his horses are expected back on the track at the Calgary Stampede Monday evening after their wagon overturned a few seconds into a race on Sunday night.

"It's not scary when you're in it," said rider Rick Fraser. "It's just something that happens and it was all good. I landed on my head and life is good." 

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Fraser was thrown from the wagon and the horses dragged it around the track on its side before they were stopped.

"This is an unfortunate little accident, my fault, didn't drive right. But the horses are fine."

Fraser credits outrider David Bensmiller with saving the horses by picking them up halfway down the back stretch.

"This kid's a cowboy and he did a great job and he saved the horses," said Fraser.

Bensmiller said everything happened quickly.

"He tried turning his horses there and his wagon must have caught a rut and it just popped right over," said Bensmiller.

Calgary Stampede veterinarian Greg Evans watched the accident unfold and says he's very happy with the outcome.

"The horses are doing great. They don't have a mark on them and were walking this morning with the stable crew and looked awesome."

Fraser says his horses will be ready to run again at the next event on Monday evening.