At just forty-six years of age, when he sat for Jay as a model, Tom was in the prime of his chuckwagon career. He was one of the toughest and most successful wagon drivers of both The Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby and the World Professional Chuckwagon Association. He won Jay Contway Champion Chuckwagons 1992 and 1994 and a Jay Contway Chuckwagon Aggregate Driver Award in 1998.

Jay appreciated the fact that Tom would take the time to sit for him when both were well aware that Tom would barely make it back to the barns for his race that night.

“When we got finished with the sculpture Tom literally trotted over to the barns where his wagon was ready. We cut it close. I am honored that these wagon drivers welcome me into their world. I enjoy visiting at the back of the wagon barns whenever I get a chance.“

– Jay Contway