CTV News Montreal

Updated: Sat Jul. 16 2011 10:14:00 PM

CTV News.ca Staff

Calgary Stampede officials say they are imposing the largest fine ever in connection with a chuckwagon collision that resulted in the death of a second horse at the world-renowned rodeo this year.

A horse belonging to driver Jim Knight was euthanized after a Stampede veterinarian discovered it had a fractured leg, officials said Friday.

In the first heat of Friday's chuckwagon races, Knight's rig collided with another belonging to Cliff Cunningham.

The event's safety commission announced Saturday that the collision was the result of Cunninghan's error. It also confirmed that the horse broke its leg in the crash. 

It had reviewed video of the crash and interviewed both Cunningham and Knight.

One of Cunningham's own was euthanized a week ago, on the first night of the Stampede, after suffering a broken leg during a race.

The death of Cunningham's horse was considered due to a "catastrophic" injury and not the result of driver error, Stampede officials confirmed.

During a chuckwagon race, a driver leads a team of horses around a circuit.

After the death of six horses at the Stampede in 2010, rodeo officials have revamped the annual event's chuckwagon racing protocol.

All competing horses are now implanted with a microchip that tracks them during the races and at rest. Owners also have more stringent record keeping rules and are asked to submit a list of horses competing daily at 4 p.m.

In previous years, four outriders on horseback have accompanied each wagon as it thunders around the dirt track. This year the number of outriders is limited to two.

Still, several animal rights organizations have continued to denounce the Stampede's chuckwagon races believing that they are inherently cruel.

A week ago, when Cunningham's horse died, the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) called upon the Calgary Stampede to suspend chuckwagon racing.

VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker argues that the most recent horse death is further evidence of how unsafe the races are.

"It's just too fundamentally dangerous for horses," he told CTV News Channel on Saturday. "It needs to be stopped immediately until it can be proved to the public that it can be made safe."

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Ross
The chuckwagon driver fine was only $12,500 not enough should've been $250'000 this way these drivers will be more careful hopefully and could see there further dashed. if any other accidents happen.

Claudia
I don't understand why the Calgary stampede pander to those who aren't even their paying spectators. A horse can break his leg during a gallop. Are they going to ban galloping and fine the rider? Come on.

Good point about abortion. Seems like those animal rights activists are pro human murder yet against animal murder. Clearly, a human life is more valuable.

Dave
By reading some of the misguided comments, that those same people were educated enough to maybe put their resources in helping out the humans that are suffering. But no, they want to express a feeling that they would not want to put a donation to, work for or even care about. They just want their stupid comments read. Grow up and find a life, hopefully helping a fellow Human.

Observer
@Warp...so what would you call ultra liberals who declare "fur is murder" and lead a vegan lifestyle, yet suppourt abortion? But I guess its only hypocrisy when it serves you? At the end of the day, how does the Calgary Stampede relate at all to a conservative world outlook or abortion rights? Talk about grasping at straws to suppourt a narrow political bias!

Bumpy Road
Chuck wagons again, eh?How about if they go half way round the arena and then stop and cook a real meal instead of all this kill or be killed attitude.

PHH
I'd love to see the horses ride on those hillbilly cowboys !!!! Only an idiot could be amused by a chuckwagon race !!!!!!!!!!!!

Warp
Oh hypocrisy thy name is Conservative. The same people who oppose abortion, because all life is precious, support the wilful abuse of horses. Glad I'm a recovering Conservative. I'm able to think for myself now.

Ranger
Calgary is a very boring city - so for 10 days they pretend they are big time - then back to normal.Let them have their fun.

Patty
If they ban Chuckwagon races they will have to ban all horse races. Then they will say it is cruel to ride a horse. How many horses will be put down then? It's getting ridiculous. Anyways, it's 2011, don't they know how to fix a horse's leg by now?I think the officials at the Stampede imposed this huge fine to make themselves look good to the animal activists.

Tom Hanna
We gotta get the "running of the bulls" say from Chinook Center to the stampede grounds. That otta get them tree hugger tongues awaggin and leave our god given heritage alone! I being a rancher live a rodeo life every day, just no one is around to watch it!

retiti
HASIB, you are sorely, hugely mistaken. animals have next to no rights in canada. our animal welfare laws are a joke to the rest of the world. animals here are PROPERTY, and as such, have no rights at all. its almost impossible to get an animal cruely conviction. to others: please dont paint all people who care about the welfare of animals into the same box. we dont all hate the stampede, and think the safety measures they have started are a good step.

ronnie from montreal
now with all the events that is for horses like the barrel racing the bronchs ,etc... I dont see them getting injuried or having to be put down the only one event I see is the CHUCK WAGON why is that ? doesnt amke sense to me all the other events with horses I see nada only the chuck wagon races ! wierd I find !as I am a horse adovocate . it just doesnt make sense to me at all !

ronnie from montreal
I wrote to the calgary stamepde and I asked them about the chuck wagon races and they told me that they made it safer !! and that the track was wider , and now another horse is dead! geesh make me sick !! and the calgary s.p.c.a. says that there are the humane s.p.c.a. now . this has to end period! this was my 3rd letter to the stampede and 2 horses dead , now what is more worth ? the horses or the the fact that now you lost a horse! I still say that it has to end ! to many horses dying !! not right at all .

Chris Hammonds
I am an animal lover to the heart, I Love going to watch the chuckwagons and feel it is a big part of the rodeo. I fully agree that there are chances of the horses getting injured, but to take the chuckwagons away due to deaths on the track seems small compared to the amount of horses that are put down or injured on farms on a yearly basis...

HASIB
We live in a country where if a guy is shot dead in Toronto will not become headline news but if a animal dies will become the "Breaking news". Animals in this country has more rights than ordinary citizens.

randy
to bad for the horses look what they did in montreal they closed blue bonnets they couldn,t find homes for all the horses so they had to slaughter the rest of them because because they couldn,t afford to feed them so is this realy much better.

CassandraFox
The fact that every year this race results in serious injury or death for the horses who are only trying to please their owners and have NO CHOICE about whether or not to enter is enough in my opinion to cancel it. There are plenty of other ways to entertain people that does not involve risking the lives and welfare of innocent animals. It's 2011, we should know better, we DO know better, so let us DO better!

C.S. Surrey
I hail from Calgary originally and the Stampede is the greatest outdoor rodeo ever. It is unfortunate when these things happen but it happens in every event human or animal. It is all part of what is called life. What are we to do now stop thouroughbred races such as the Kentucky Derby, & Preakness etc. How about all the cities with race tracks and their betting horse races; lets shut all of them down. Driving your own car is dangerous lets stop that also. Professional hockey has its moments lets put a stop to that sport also. Come on what do all you complainers do. Live your lives in the idelic atmospheric, disease free bubble with nothing to do but be happy by complaining.

island j
I have an idea, Peta and other animal activists should have a great big Horse meat bar b que so they can celebrate the fate of the horses not lucky enough to have made it into the stampede. These horses are thoroughbreds, they live and love to run. People who think that this is animal cruelty have obviously never been near a horse and know nothing of their true nature. Racing is their euphoria, and not allowing them to race would be the real cruelty. Yes, he died, but he died happy, doing what he loves with the people who loved him.

Becky of Calgary
Chuciwaggon races/calf roping,. That is the onlything I don't like about Calgary.I do love the bullriding tho.An former Ontarioan.

Troy
Jim Knight started pulling up his horses by the 3rd turn. On the video, it appears there was an equipment problem and his right leader looked out of whack going down the back stretch. It also appears his horse stumbled causing him to pull up. Like I've said many times. Animal rights groups can make up their minds. Either we continue wagon racing and we can run and baby horses for the summer. Or they can force the stampede, wpca, cpca and wca to call it quits and all of those horses will be put down because no one can afford all the horses they have without the sponsorship or wagon racing. @anon, cunningham was in an accident in heat 5 of night 1. The writer of this article is correct in their facts. Shame on you!

buckybruce
I grew up on a farm (in central Ontario), and we raised mixed livestock, crops, and later on, bred and raced standardbred racehorses. I will agree, it's only the mentally ill who take pleasure in inflicting cruelty on animals. I know there is certainly an element out there, who enjoy the "accidents" at racetracks (standardbreds, thoroughbreds, quarter horses, and rodeo racing events), who give no thought to the pain and suffering the animals go through when they get injured as result. But I can assure you, it's very seldom the participants who are cavalier about having to euthanize a horse because of a "catastrophic" injury. That part of the "business" bothered me so much, that I got out. To me, the chuckwagon races don't seem really necessary. The other rodeo events (roping, barrel racing, bronco riding)...at least they have some connection to the jobs "cowboys" still do today. They are events of skill. I understand the "tradition" of chuckwagon racing, but not at expense of unnecessary horse deaths and injuries. It also seems to be almost completely without regulation, including drug testing for stimulants, and narcotic painkillers for the horses (and participants). But, it's popular at The Stampede, because of the big prize money, and, let's face it, it's exciting to watch. But I would ask those who watch, and those participate, and those who defend it because of "tradition"....is it really worth it if even one animal dies?

Tracy
What's going to happen? Cancel the races because 30 per cent of the whiners are the loudest? Ban firepits because the smoke bothers someone? Ban outdoor dog parks 'cause "I" don't like dogs? Remove all the parks 'cause the kids are too loud? When is it going to end?

Marg
Do any of you know where these horses would be if there were no chuckwagons? They would be on their way to Fort McCloud going to the slaughter house and then they would be in your dog's dinner bowl. I think it is great that these guys look after these horses so well. Think about that one!!!!

robin hood
Analyst this— you’re in a race whether it’s in a car or a chuck wagon being drawn by horses. Intelligence dictates that there will be casualties. Why? Well because racing is dangerous of course. There will be collisions there will be others in the race cut off, it’s the nature of the beast. Winning is the most important thing but the element of danger makes it that much sweeter! It’s the reason people are drawn to dangerous sport some like to participate and some like to cheer them on. Those in the audience are made up of two types those who wish to see a hard sought after winner takes all clean race accomplished with practiced skill and those who are the blood thirty who deliberately imagine and will a catastrophe to happen! It doesn’t matter how the horse’s leg was broken just that it was. If it was in fact broken during the race — you could theorize that the horse had a hairline fracture prior to the race that went undetected due to genetics and the race merely exasperated the injury. As this point all they have is theory!I’ll say this it’s ridiculous to fine —charge those participating in the race — let me reiterate racing is dangerous out comes such as this are inevitable. Unless of course the evil chuck wagon driver has spikes protruding from his wheels in that case he should be fined — perhaps even banned from ever racing again. The real argument here is whether or not we should allow chuck wagon races. I think those who profit and enjoy the sport will always be on the side of YES! Whether this changes depends on the numbers of for and against! Evidently the Brits are of the same mind we have their animal activist standing out for against and we have the Royals endorsing. I think we should hear from the horses themselves to really get to the bottom of this debate!

Peter in mb
Okay seriously, If your not a fan of the Calgary Stampede then don’t go!!! No one is forcing you. I guess it comes down to the fundamental differences between conservative centralists and liberal socialists. as conservative centralists I would most likely not go because its not my cup of tea But If someone else wants to thats their prerogative.You liberal socialists on the other hand when Offended by something, (even though you have never done it) and you think you are experts in everything, because of your prejudices you think that everyone else should conform to your ideals and want it Ban!!! when are you going to learn that you are not always right? I think we should BAN All Gay pride parades in our cities like Toronto because I don’t agree with it!!! same difference? I don’t go gay pride because its not my cup of tea. If others want to, thats their prerogative.

evelyn
It seems just shy of clueless to me to hitch up a beautiful animal to a chuckwagon to pull around a track. Some of those drivers should be pulling the wagon and losing their beer bellies. If only two horses are put down at the stampede this year, some knucklehead is bound to say, "It was only two this year, not six like last year." They actually think that's something to be proud of. Let the horses run when they want to, preferably out in a huge pasture.

carla in burnaby
The horse didn't "die after suffering a broken leg". The break didn't kill it. What happened afterward is what killed it.

Stop The Stampede Slaughter
Funny the number of people who say we have to kill these horses to protect our "culture". What does that say about Canada? Utterly shameful really! As if a culture of animal cruelty and maiming is something to protect. What a bunch of yokels!!

Darby Vancouver Island
I have never added a comment before but I own an ex racehorse, a thoroughbred, for those non horse people, and many of these horses are sent to slaughter after racing. I would much rather see these horses live, chuckwagon racing, rather than be euthanized. Just putting it out there!

Anon
"One week ago, one of Cunningham's horses had to be destroyed after suffering a broken leg during a chuckwagon race on the Stampede's first night of competition." His horse had to be destroyed? Who on Earth wrote this article... a high schooler?

chel in the Peg
@LaVerne: where are all the nay-sayers when there's senseless killing of dolphins, whales, etc? Seriously? Have you been asleep for the past few decades? And how can you compare a horse being injured or falling sick out in the field to what occurs on the track? Nonsense. This is the exploitation of animals for profit and it's impossible to argue otherwise. It's 2011 for chrissakes - humans really need to get their s**t together.

Paul ~ Kitchener
This is a traditional way of life for those of the WEST ! Accidents happen with "LIFE", even with people. This sport is no more dangerous or cruel than any other contact sport . The exception is that - YES - a horse with a broken, or shattered leg is put down - thats humane. The new love to put this front page so the so called animal lovers around the world can grab more press time telling others how to enjoy their heritage. No wonder the great folks of Western Canada, shun everything east of the Manitoba border. I love the West, and its culture of the golden west, and the great folks that call it home. "Long Live the Rodeo", and all its traditions around the "Cowboy / Cowgirl Life" !

Lz in Edmonton
Wow. More horses break their legs EVERY DAY in fields due to Gophers. Lets BAN gophers.

MMM
That is why people go to watch, to simply see the wrecks. No different in car racing. People go to see the crashes. It is why television shows like "destroyed in seconds" and "amazing videos" and "worlds most shocking" are viewed. People love to see and thrive on seeing horrific events that don't harm them. When these events are in progress it becomes great news articles as well. The comments on this page are all part of the cycle. We feed our own reading greed.

Clare
time they did away such cruelty

Josey Wales
I eat meat...I wear leather & fur...I work my two G.Sheps... I hunt(for food...not trophies)! That illustrated, in my 45 years with this earth... I NEVER "got" the rodeo experience. I wonder how long this antiquated recreation will be still going... how many dead horses... how many hyper stressed calves need be? At some point in history we all stopped going to the coliseum to watch lions feast on folks whom are not lions, I wonder if that point in the rodeos time has come?.........ya'll

lm
they need to ban this type of racing....

Gerald
Save your typing fingers. I saw the remains of a horse that got tangled up in a wire fence once by accident... not pretty. Hardened ranch hands were visibly choked. These things happen on ranches, in the wild, and yes, at the Stampede. This is Alberta and there are cowboys who like to ride horses and compete with them. Accidents happen at these events and these events will be around for a long long time .. so we'll just have to learn to accept it. It's a part of life in the west and it's not going away any time soon.

Helen Plethig
Ban all sports human and animal. No more exploding hearts in football players, concussions in hockey players, baseball players out for the season with a broken pinky. (and try a pinky swear after that). Let's just wrap everything and everybody in bubble wrap and stop moving. The sooner we get to total Nanny State the better I say.

Romans, Romans
I so long for the days when we can once again attend at the coliseum and watch man exercise his superiority over animals. The best part is watching the animals meet their fate at the hand of their conqueror! We haven't changed much have we? Back then it was the gladiators who thrilled us all as they slay the mighty beasts. Now it's the cowboys! What a pathetic, mindless lot they are indeed!!!

Westerner
It's really sad, that with our society of multiculturalism, how soon we forget how important (in Western Canada, the handling of livestock and all the culture that surrounds it seems to be quashed by the very peoples ansestors anywhere now in Canada, that if they had to survive now the way people survived less than 100 years ago they would realize the importance of the rodeo, and how we learned over many 100s of years how to manage and handle creatures other than ourselves. Some people would rather sit and watch TV supposedly Reality Crap and forget about reality and how to interact with life and death. Get a grip Animal Activists and Government. Circuses, rodeos and other cultural entertainments are becoming a thing of the past because of these activists and a whole lot of cultural ways are being slowly destroyed. Thank animal activists and government for it all.....free Canada...yeah......real free.

Will
Stupid, the nonsense being spewed by the animal rights lobby is endless and mindless. They won't be happy until animals are given the same rights as humans, and we are all wearing clothign made from burlap, eating weeds, and .... A note to PETA et al, there are some who consider carrot juice to be murder. A wingnut is a wingnut is a wingnut is you.

CraigW
Those who think that rodeo is cruel should remember how animals in the wild die, including slowly from disease or starvation, or being eaten alive by predators. The rodeo participants I know, and I've known a few, treat their animals better than most pet owners treat their pets and are devastated when they lose one for any reason, including old age. Unfortunately, it seems too many fall for the propaganda of groups like PETA, that by the way, annually destroy over 90 per cent of the animals it "rescues" by their own admission.

Lucy
I wish more people would understand how much time, money and emotional investment these ranchers put into their animals. And that these horses live for this type of work. A horse can get hurt at the stampede just as easily as it can get hurt by stepping into a gopher hole. The only thing I wish is that the horses with hurt legs would be assessed more. A lot of times, a horse with a fractue could just be put out to pasture, and i know there are people out there who would be willing to take care of an injured horse for the rest of their days. Perhaps the media should go behind the scenes on why horses need to be put down, and follow these guys for a year to expose how much love they have for these animals, instead of just reporting when they die.

chris from quinte west
Yeeeeeee Haaaaaaa! I gotta get me sum ub dat dare good ol chuckwagon racing, thats good ol fun!Seriously, even rednecks are embarrassed by the way you "cowboys" act.

Lori
Just one question. Could CTV find the time to do an investigation into thoroughbred racing? I would love to know how many horses die or are put down during that season... just as a comparison. Oh wait... only the Stampede gets this kind of bad press... not "The Sport of Kings"

LaVerne Diegel
Horses out in the field can break their legs or have a heart atttack! The Stampede has always looked after the stock the best they can, changing and improving conditions every year. Yet the nay-sayers are never satisfied. Where are these big mouth people when there's senseless killing of the dolphins, whales, BABY SEALS, the Royal Hunt of a defenseless fox?? Bet they eat lobster too! I do applaud the causes for helping the cruelty to animals, but go where you are needed, the Stampede does not warrrant this kind of BS as i see no cruelty, but then i'm a born and bred true western Calgarian. We still castrate bull calves and now ear tag the cattle, not brand.

Rick
The chuckwagon race once again has proven it is inherently dangerous and the new procedures implemented are a failure. The notion that it has something to do with how horses are now bred is simply an attempt by the helm of the Calgary Stampede to deflect their lack of responsibility and leadership where they should have ended the event at the death of the first horse. Who will hold them accountable?

joe canada
time for a feed at the BBQ mmmmmm horse.

clarence lehr
I think they should ban the chuck wagon race - I don't consider that sport its cruel to the animals

Stop The Stampede Slaughter
So this poor animal finished the race galloping on a broken leg? The driver doesn't know when his horse gets injured ? Or the driver doesn't care that his horse is injured? It is quite simply horrific, brutal and cruel. But hey - that's tourism and money in Calgary.