Tragedy at Calgary Stampede: Horse Dies During Chuckwagon Race The annual Calgary Stampede was marred by tragedy on Friday, July 8th, when a five-year-old horse collapsed and died during a chuckwagon race. The incident occurred during the third heat of the Rangeland Derby, an event that features teams of four horses pulling a chuckwagon around a dirt track. The horse, named Buck, was part of the team driven by Dusty Whiske. According to witnesses, the horse stumbled and fell shortly after the race began. It was quickly attended to by veterinarians, but efforts to revive it were unsuccessful. The cause of death is still under investigation. Whiske and the other members of his team were visibly shaken by the incident. “It’s devastating,” said Whiske. “This is the first time something like this has happened.” The death of Buck has cast a pall over the Stampede, which is one of Canada’s largest and most famous events. Chuckwagon racing is a central feature of the festival, and the safety of the horses and drivers is paramount. Stampede officials expressed their condolences to Whiske and his team, and they promised a thorough investigation into the incident. “We take the safety of our animals and participants very seriously,” said Stampede CEO Dana Peers. “We will work with industry experts to determine what happened and implement any necessary measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.” The incident has raised concerns about the welfare of horses used in chuckwagon racing. Animal rights activists have long criticized the sport, arguing that it puts unnecessary stress and strain on the animals. In the wake of Buck’s death, some are calling for a reassessment of the sport’s practices. “We need to take a hard look at whether chuckwagon racing is still an appropriate event in this day and age,” said animal welfare advocate Julie Swayne. “There are risks associated with any animal sport, but the death of a horse during a race is unacceptable.” The Calgary Stampede is scheduled to continue through Sunday, July 17th.Tragic Loss at Calgary Stampede: Horse Euthanized After Racing InjuryTragic Loss at Calgary Stampede: Horse Euthanized After Racing Injury During the Cowboy’s Rangeland Derby at the Calgary Stampede, a horse sustained a racing-related injury that necessitated its euthanasia. The horse, part of the Obrey Motowylo team, suffered a fracture during the eighth heat of the event. Stampede CEO Joel Cowley announced the decision to euthanize the horse after consultations with the veterinary team, indicating that it was the “most humane thing to do.” This incident follows the tragic loss of two horses and a steer at the Stampede earlier this week. Cowley emphasized the Stampede’s commitment to minimizing such occurrences, citing improvements made in recent years to enhance animal welfare. These include reducing the number of teams in chuckwagon heats, implementing lane delineators and ground-penetrating radar for level surfaces, and monitoring surface moisture content. Amidst the tragic news, the Calgary Humane Society and animal rights activists have expressed their opposition to animal entertainment at the Stampede. The Humane Society condemned the use of animals in such high-risk events and urged the Stampede to end them. Activists at a protest outside Stampede Park also called for an end to animal abuse and the adoption of alternative entertainment options. The Stampede responded by acknowledging the public’s concerns and emphasizing its dedication to mitigating risks. However, activists maintain that the best way to ensure animal safety is to eliminate animal entertainment altogether.During the Calgary Stampede’s chuckwagon races, a tragic incident occurred, resulting in the death of a horse. The incident took place during the eighth heat of the races. Witnesses reported that the horse stumbled during the race, causing the driver to be thrown from the wagon. The horse then fell to the ground and was unable to get back up. Veterinary officials rushed to the scene and euthanized the horse due to the severity of its injuries. This is the second horse fatality in this year’s Stampede chuckwagon races. Last week, a horse died after suffering a broken leg during a race. The Calgary Stampede acknowledges the tragic incident and extends its condolences to the driver and the horse’s connections. The Stampede has implemented a thorough veterinary medical team and ambulance service to attend to any equine emergencies. The safety of the animals is paramount, and the Stampede is committed to providing the best possible care for all participants. Chuckwagon racing is an integral part of the Calgary Stampede, and the Stampede remains committed to ensuring the safety of all horses and drivers involved in the event. The Stampede will continue to work closely with animal health and welfare experts to review safety protocols and implement any necessary changes.