10 Aug 2025 Clinton readies for stampede of a lifetime
By Rita Halter Thomas
As the end of summer nears and Labor Day approaches, an all-too-familiar energy charges the Clinton community. This year the air is surging with anticipation of the 40th National Championship Chuckwagon Race.
Well before the start date, the area begins preparing for convoys of trucks and trailers hauling horses, wagons or campers. Primitive campers prepare to erect a temporary homestead on their designated camping spot. Vendors are busy preparing to serve a crowd of contestants and spectators, projected to be around 20,000, who will gather on the Bar OF Ranch. Soon, the charged air will crack into a bolt of activity, followed by a rumble of thundering hooves and rolling clouds of dust.
Festivities officially begin Saturday, Aug. 23, and continue through Sunday, Aug. 31. But long before the opening gunshot signals the start of the first chuckwagon race, the town and its visitors are captivated by the camaraderie and romanced by the nostalgia of the cowboy spirit and revered traditions of the Old West.
When Dan and Peggy Eoff of Clinton hosted the first chuckwagon race at the ranch in 1986, they never dreamed it would grow into the legendary event it is today. What started as a weekend of fun among friends with eight teams has grown into nine days of festivities and boasts close to 200 teams. It is touted as the largest gathering of horses in the state and among the largest in the nation.
“I remember after the first one we had, one of our friends had gone to a trail ride in Missouri. He said there were like 600 horses there. I’d never seen 600 horses, but I said then that one day we were going to grow to 2,000 horses. Last year, we had 5,200 horses,” Peggy said. “We’ve had as many as 5,700.”
Most of the teams come from the Midsouth: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Missouri. However, the event has drawn teams from Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and even as far east as South Carolina.
For those unfamiliar, a chuckwagon race is a spectacular event to watch. Teams consist of a driver at the reins of a team of horses hitched to a chuckwagon, a cook, and an outrider. The wagons resemble the Old West chuckwagons once used as mobile kitchens equipped to carry food and supplies on cattle drives.
The dismounted outrider, holding the reins of his/her horse, is positioned behind the chuckwagon with the cook. With a gunfire start, the cook must toss a box (representing a cookstove) into the bed of the chuckwagon, run to the front of the wagon and get himself seated alongside the driver before the team of antsy horses bolts into action. The outrider must then toss a tent (resembling a bedroll) into the wagon and mount the horse that is hyped up with anticipation. The mounted rider must then race past the chuckwagon running at break-neck speeds to cross the finish line ahead of the wagon. Despite rough bounces, bumps and hard turns on the course, the chuckwagon must cross the finish line without losing its cargo or passengers. It’s a dirt-flying, nail-biting, heart-stopping, breath-holding, adrenaline-pumping good time.
The Eoffs were quick to point out that this is not a professional competition. “We didn’t want this to be a professional event. It’s not about earning money. For us, it’s all about the performance,” Peggy said. No entry fee is collected from the teams, so there is no cash money awarded. Winners earn buckles, trophies and chuckwagon bucks to use with vendors on site or at participating businesses within the community. “So, if you lose, you didn’t lose anything and you had a good time,” she said.
Beyond the races, attendees can enjoy a full schedule of western-themed activities: the snowy river run, barrel racing, bull and bronc riding, trail rides and more. This year the event will also feature headline music from Pam Tillis and Wade Hayes, Clay Cooper, William Clark Green, Paige King Johnson and the Texas Trio.
Pride in the community is evident throughout this annual event. “We couldn’t run it without the Clinton community,” Peggy said, citing help from countless sources including the utility companies, first responders, business owners, and more. The Eoffs also praised the athletes from the high school who have helped park cars. It’s one way for them to have a positive service experience while completing required community service hours for school. And for participating businesses redeeming chuckwagon bucks, the Eoffs make sure those businesses are reimbursed for the value of bucks collected.
Dan and Peggy strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. “We have a sign at the arena that says, ‘$1,000 fine for someone with a bad attitude,’” Dan said, adding that anyone with a real bad attitude may find themselves helped outside the gate. “We’ve got plenty of people having a good time,” he said, and specifically mentioned all the kids who enjoy the week.
Dan said it’s good to see the kids have the freedom to run around during the day, enjoying the trails and the outdoors, connecting with other kids in camp, and feeling safe doing so. “Everybody’s watching them. Everybody meets everybody next to them and has been camping beside them for years. So, everybody watches out for everybody,” he said.
Preparation is important for those planning to attend. Experienced attendees recommend bringing lawn chairs, sunscreen and a canopy for shade. So, whether a first-timer or a long-timer attending the 40th National Championship Chuckwagon Race, embrace the energy, prepare to make new friends or reunite with old ones, and soak in the southern hospitality of a true homecoming that celebrates a rich piece of our American western heritage. Yeehaw!
More information can be found at chuckwagonraces.com.
