High River's Jordie Fike will strap in and head back to work Wednesday at the "Battle of the North" in Dawson Creek.

The local reinsman has had a tough season, sitting 33rd in the World Standings.

"This year's been a struggle for me for sure. We haven't quit trying, we've driven a lot of horses in races that wouldn't normally get driven this early, they're new ones. But, it's been a tough year. I'm just staying positive and trying to finish strong."

He says his biggest highlight of the season was becoming a dad.

'It's actually been good for me. Having the year I'm having and some of the struggles I've gone through this year, it's pretty nice to come home at night and see my daughter. She puts a smile on my face, even when things aren't going so well on the race track."

Fike says his one big concern is being invited to the Stampede again next year after such a rough year.

He says he hopes they take into account his safety record and his abilities when they send out the invites next Spring.