Posted on

In 1st event after 6 horses died, Stampede chuckwagons return with new safety measures | CBC News

In 1st event after 6 horses died, Stampede chuckwagons return with new safety measures | CBC News

Chuckwagon races are well underway at the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” and organizers say they’ve implemented new measures intended to boost the safety of the event.

Calgary Stampede spokesperson Kristina Barnes said the most obvious change will be on the track in the number of wagons. 

In previous years, four wagons would compete in each heat — that’s been decreased to three wagons this year.

“That’s the one thing people will notice as they’re watching from the stands and on television,” Barnes said.

Custom-built delineator arms have also been added to the track to create a buffer between the wagons and the rails.

“In the past, people would’ve seen some pylons out on the track. So we’ve replaced those with these arms that slide out for the races,” Barnes said.

“If there is contact between them and a wagon, they are made to swing back and break on the side of the rail. So not a trip hazard, but just to create that extra space on the track.”

Ferrier Nolan Cameron shoes a chuckwagon horse in the barns at the Calgary Stampede in 2019. The Stampede has introduced new measures it says will promote safety in its chuckwagon races. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

The Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races return to this year’s Stampede after missing the past two years — in 2020, after the entire Stampede was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, as organizers cited safety issues.

The chuckwagons have long been controversial among animal rights groups in Canada and the United States.

In 2019, the last time the derby was held, six horses died. That matched the second deadliest toll in the Stampede’s history.

The return of the event led some animal rights groups to push back.

Stampede spokesperson Kristina Barnes stands next to new custom-built delineator arms, intended to create a safety zone on the track. (Marc-Antoine Leblanc/Radio-Canada)

When Kevin Costner was announced as parade marshal for this year’s Stampede, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, called on him to step away, citing the event’s history that reportedly includes the deaths of more than 70 horses over the years. 

“Reducing a few of the dangerous aspects of the race is like cutting only one ear off a dog instead of two. It’s better than nothing but not good enough,” PETA said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. 

“The only way to stop horses from being hurt and from dying is to stop using them, and PETA joins every animal protection organization under the sun, and kind people across Canada, who want these reckless, barbaric races simply to end.”

The Stampede has repeatedly said the safety of animals and people is its No. 1 priority.

“As always, we welcome PETA for a direct discussion regarding our animal care practices,” it previously told CBC News in an email.

Drivers happy to be back

Kris Molle, a professional chuckwagon driver, said he’s excited to be back at the Calgary Stampede, even despite the changes.

“It’s definitely more exciting with four wagons, but it’s definitely going to be more room on the track to manoeuvre,” Molle said. “For safety reasons is the reason why they did it. So try it this year is all we can do.”

Molle said that in his view, chuckwagon races are no different than any sport when it comes to safety.

“You have your incidents. We have to take the precautions necessary to continue to improve to get better and safer. That’s with any sport,” he said.

Professional chuckwagon driver Kris Molle says he expects the Rangeland Derby will still be a good show even with recent changes intended to increase the safety of the event. (Marc-Antoine Leblanc/Radio-Canada)

The Stampede said it is undertaking an effort to do enhanced veterinary inspections, and pointed to ongoing studies at the University of Calgary focused on chuckwagon races.

Researchers at the university are trying to find ways to reduce the chance of horse injuries by studying track conditions and how they impact the hooves and bones of horses while galloping at full speed. Sensors were placed on horses’ hooves, cannon bones and radiuses using saddles fitted with devices to measure data.

Dr. Renaud Léguillette, a veterinary medicine professor at the university, told CBC’s The Homestretch that harder dirt is tougher on bones and joints while softer tracks are harder on tendons and ligaments.

Calgary’s weather changes on a frequent basis, Léguillette said, and that will change conditions. 

“I’m really confident that even by next year they will probably do some changes and at least monitor, you know, the hardness of the track and apply some changes on the track as needed,” Léguillette said.

The races this year are scheduled to take place over nine heats per night. Twenty-seven drivers are competing for prize money, along with their 162 horses.

Posted on

‘Strength of community’: Trudeau praises Calgary Stampede, resiliency of the west

'Strength of community': Trudeau praises Calgary Stampede, resiliency of the west

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Calgary to attend several events, including a trip to the Stampede grounds on Sunday morning.

First off, he stopped for a brief appearance at the Stampede breakfast hosted by Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal.

Along with flipping a few pancakes for guests, Trudeau shared his well wishes for The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth and the city of Calgary.

“I know Stampede is an extraordinary time for people coming across the country, gathering to celebrate, gathering to enjoy pancakes and celebrate everything about Calgary and the west,” he told the gathering. “I am just incredibly excited to be here.”

He noted the last couple of years, which have resulted in a different look for the Calgary Stampede because of pandemic health restrictions.

“We really saw the strength of community, Canadians leaning on each other, being there for each other and that’s what it’s all about. We are facing more challenges with the war in Ukraine, with the global inflation crisis but at the same time, we are seeing it time and time again, Canadians stepping up to be there for each other.”

Trudeau will then be visiting the Calgary Stampede at 10:30 a.m. and later appear at a fundraising event in Calgary at 1 p.m., where he is expected to make a speech.

CONSERVATIVE PARTY HOLDS ANNUAL EVENT

While many of the Conservative Party leader hopefuls, along with interim leader Candice Bergen, attended a breakfast on Saturday morning, the party held its own annual event at Heritage Park later in the day.

Four of the people running for leadership were allowed to make remarks at the event, which was well attended by many of the party’s faithful.

The Conservative Party says it has approximately 675,000 members – the most its ever had – and has raised $11.5 million during the latest leadership campaign.

Bergen says Conservatives need to return to power in Canada and take pride in what they have done in the past.

“We are the party that built Canada and continues to build Canada,” she told supporters. “From Confederation to the railway to the Bill of Rights to a national pension plan to universal child care benefits, these are all Conservative ideas that became policy for the country of Canada.

“We need to be very proud of that.”

Posted on

Prime Minister Trudeau to attend Calgary Stampede events

Prime Minister Trudeau to attend Calgary Stampede events

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to make a stop in Calgary to attend several events, including a trip to the grounds on Sunday morning.

Organizers of Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal’s Stampede breakfast say he is scheduled to make a brief appearance at the event at the Genesis Centre.

The free in-person event, located at 7555 Falconridge Blvd. N.E., will serve pancakes, halal and vegetarian sausages along with chai and coffee to guests. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The breakfast runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Trudeau will then be visiting the Calgary Stampede at 10:30 a.m. and later appear at a fundraising event in Calgary at 1 p.m., where he is expected to make a speech.

CONSERVATIVE PARTY HOLDS ANNUAL EVENT

While many of the Conservative Party leader hopefuls, along with interim leader Candice Bergen, attended a breakfast on Saturday morning, the party held its own annual event at Heritage Park later in the day.

Four of the people running for leadership were allowed to make remarks at the event, which was well attended by many of the party’s faithful.

The Conservative Party says it has approximately 675,000 members – the most its ever had – and has raised $11.5 million during the latest leadership campaign.

Bergen says Conservatives need to return to power in Canada and take pride in what they have done in the past.

“We are the party that built Canada and continues to build Canada,” she told supporters. “From Confederation to the railway to the Bill of Rights to a national pension plan to universal child care benefits, these are all Conservative ideas that became policy for the country of Canada.

“We need to be very proud of that.”

Posted on

New promo video highlights huge range of events during Stampede in Williams Lake – Williams Lake Tribune

New promo video highlights huge range of events during Stampede in Williams Lake - Williams Lake Tribune



New promo video highlights huge range of events during Stampede in Williams Lake

Stampede weekend is more than a rodeo, it includes events for everyone




A new video by John Dell and Ultimate Arty premiered at the Williams Lake city council meeting in council chambers on June 7, 2022.

While not your typical location for a video premiere, the city hall hosted the short video for mayor, the councillors in attendance and public attending.

The video showcases all of the many events to take place in the lakecity over Stampede weekend, from the pancake breakfasts, to the street party, to the rodeo itself, car racing and the well-attended rugby tournament.

It of course mentions the Williams Lake Stampede parade with it’s theme this year of “Back in the Saddle Again”, which Ultimate Arty, also known as Willie Dye, has taken on organizing.

So far there are over 50 entries in the popular parade, with more still to come.



ruth.lloyd@wltribune.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

auto racingEventsParadepro rodeorugbyvideoVideosWilliams Lake

















Posted on

At least 31 killed in stampede during charity event in southern Nigeria

At least 31 killed in stampede during charity event in southern Nigeria

A stampede Saturday at a church charity event in southern Nigeria left 31 people dead and seven injured, police told the Associated Press, a shocking development at a program that organizers said aimed to “offer hope” to the needy.

The stampede at the program organized by the Kings Assembly pentecostal church in Rivers state involved many people who were seeking assistance, according to Grace Iringe-Koko, a police spokeswoman in the state.

Many of the victims came to an annual “Shop for Free” charity program organized by the church. Such events are common in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, where more than 80 million people live in poverty, according to government statistics.

Saturday’s charity program was supposed to begin at 9 a.m. but dozens arrived as early as 5 a.m. to secure their place in line, Iringe-Koko said. Somehow they broke open the locked gate, she said, adding that the seven injured were “responding to treatment.”

Videos from the scene showed the clothing, shoes and other items meant for the beneficiaries. Doctors and emergency workers treated some of the injured as they lay in the open field.

The “Shop for Free” event was suspended while authorities investigated how the stampede occurred.

Posted on

More than 30 people, including children, killed in stampede at church event in Nigeria

More than 30 people, including children, were killed in a stampede at a church event in Nigeria. (CNN)


More than 30 people were killed and others injured when a stampede broke out at a church event in the southeastern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt on Saturday, according to police and security officials.


Most of the casualties were children.


The incident took place at a local polo club, where the nearby Kings Assembly Church had organized a gift donation drive, according to Olufemi Ayodele, a regional spokesman for Nigeria’s Civil Defense Corps.


“During the process of distributing the gift items, there was a stampede due to overcrowding,” he said. “Casualties were children mostly.”


The drive had not yet started when the stampede took place, said Grace Woyengikuro Iringe-Koko, a spokeswoman for the state police. Woyengikuro Iringe-Koko said the crowd forced their way into the venue, despite the fact that the gate was closed, resulting in the deadly charge.


Thirty-one people have been confirmed dead, Woyengikuro Iringe-Koko said. Seven injured people were hospitalized after the incident, she added.

Posted on

Stampede will roar back in 2022 with full parade, concerts and chuckwagon races

Share via email

“Everything you know and expect from the Calgary Stampede will be back.”

Article content

Calgary Stampede is returning in full swing this year with everything that’s been missing the last two years, including a long parade route, more concert venues and the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races.

Advertisement 2

Article content

For the unveiling of the 2022 Calgary Stampede poster and the start of the 100-day countdown to Stampede on Wednesday at the Nutrien Western Event Centre, the Calgary Stampede opened with pyrotechnics and an Indigenous hoop dancing performance.

“Everything you know and expect from the Calgary Stampede will be back,” announced Steve McDonough, Stampede president and chairman of the board.

McDonough said this summer’s Stampede will look like any other pre-pandemic Stampedes, though he doesn’t expect they’ll reach the same level of attendees as 2019. The Stampede will run from July 8 to 17.

“We’re not unaware that there’s still a pandemic. We’re making a plan for a full Stampede, that brings back live music in Saddledome, chuckwagon racing will be back, we’ve got the relay racing doubling, we’ve got four live stages with bands,” he said.

Advertisement 3

Article content

“But don’t get me wrong, we are able to pivot if things change. We are planning for a heck of a Stampede.”

Calgary Stampede hosted a scaled-back event last summer and introduced a vaccine or negative test passport system for access to the Nashville North tent, several months before the Alberta government required a similar system for indoor businesses.

Despite the measures in place, more than 100 cases of COVID-19 were directly linked to Calgary Stampede events, Alberta Health Services said in August 2021. But health experts at the time said it is unlikely the province will know the full extent of spread.

Relay racer Kal Jackson and artist Kane Pendry hold the 2022 Calgary Stampede poster after it was unveiled on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Pendry painted the relay race scene after being inspired watching the event at the 2021 Stampede.Gavin Young/Postmedia
Relay racer Kal Jackson and artist Kane Pendry hold the 2022 Calgary Stampede poster after it was unveiled on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Pendry painted the relay race scene after being inspired watching the event at the 2021 Stampede.Gavin Young/Postmedia Gavin Young/Postmedia

The Stampede poster shows Kal Jackson, an Indigenous relay race competitor, racing on the back of his late horse Water Runner. The artist, 19-year-old Kane Pendry of Edmonton, said he has put more than 100 hours into the piece and has participated in the youth poster competition for three years.

Advertisement 4

Article content

“I just really focused on what I wanted to portray and what emotions I wanted to bring out,” said Pendry, who is Méits. He said the project has helped him connect with his roots.

“It was really heartfelt talking to some of the (relay race) riders and that’s when I wanted to do it.”

We are planning for a heck of a Stampede.

Steve McDonough

He interviews the riders after watching the relay racers during last year’s Stampede and took photographs to use as a reference for his painting. It took him four paintings and hundreds of thumbnail sketches.

The winner of the Calgary Stampede Foundation Youth Poster Competition receives a $10,000 Dustin Peers Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Brandon Flock Foundation. Pendry is the fourth Alberta youth to have their artwork selected through the program.

Advertisement 5

Article content

Jackson said being the subject of the Stampede’s poster was a great honour.

“This is a dream that became a reality for me,” he said. “For the generation to come, I want to be a good example that anything can happen and blessings can be bestowed upon anyone when they work for it.”

He said he was brought to tears when he saw the painting for the first time.

“I can’t be any more proud,” Jackson said.

The relay races have been a part of the Stampede’s evening show since 2017, and will be returning to the event this summer with 10 teams competing in two heats of races each night.

“There’s nothing quite like the warm summer nights of July, with the thunder of the wagons and the electric energy of the relay races. Follow that with the Bell Grandstand and an incredible display of fireworks — and you’re going to have one of the best nights of the year,” said McDonough.

sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie

Advertisement 1

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.