Editing Calgary Stampede (section)

==Animal welfare==
[[File:Stampede Protest.png|thumb|right|Anti-rodeo protesters picket outside an entrance to the Stampede grounds|alt=A small group of people holding signs that feature captions like "Animals suffer at the Calgary Stampede" and "Animal cruelty is not entertainment"]]
The Stampede has attempted to balance rodeo tradition against the concerns of [[animal welfare]] groups who argue that the sport is inhumane.<ref name="MacLeansSteer">{{cite news |last=Cosh |first=Colby |url=http://www.macleans.ca/2010/07/08/easy-does-it-cowboy/ |title=Easy does it, Cowboy |work=Maclean's Magazine |date=2010-07-08 |access-date=2011-08-14 |archive-date=2011-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120153015/http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/07/08/easy-does-it-cowboy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Gerson |first=Jen |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=af58ed27-dae1-44d5-be1e-b7560df5878e |title=Lonely but steadfast anti-rodeo activists say support growing |work=Calgary Herald |date=2010-07-04 |access-date=2011-04-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905142148/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=af58ed27-dae1-44d5-be1e-b7560df5878e |archive-date=2012-09-05 }}</ref> Officials defend the sport, calling the animals the "stars of the show" and stating that the Stampede is "passionate about the proper treatment of animals".<ref name="RodeoBan">{{citation |last=Tetley |first=Deborah |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=1738deb8-9e62-4095-bb73-ad2548506f1e&k=43157 |title=Rodeo ban renews Stampede criticism |work=Calgary Herald |date=2007-05-24 |access-date=2011-04-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110112916/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=1738deb8-9e62-4095-bb73-ad2548506f1e&k=43157 |archive-date=2012-11-10 }}</ref> The Calgary Humane Society has found itself at odds with other organizations by choosing to work with the Stampede to ensure that stress on the animals is kept to a minimum.<ref name="DividedHumane">{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/anti-rodeo-ad-divides-humane-societies-1.777244 |title=Anti-rodeo ad divides humane societies |work=CBC News|date=2009-06-29 |access-date=2011-04-16}}</ref> It is one of two such groups, in addition to veterinarians, who are on hand to monitor the rodeo.<ref name="RodeoBan" />

[[Chuckwagon racing]] is a particular source of controversy. The [[World Professional Chuckwagon Association]] has called the Stampede's Rangeland derby "a half-mile of hell", and 65 horses had been killed in the event from 1986 to 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-13 |title=Calgary Stampede: Why horses die on the 'half-mile of hell' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33511970 |access-date=2024-07-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Animal rights groups protest the event, arguing that the sport causes undue suffering for the horses.<ref>{{citation |last=Fong |first=Petti |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/837719--stampede-shuts-down-but-animal-rights-debate-lingers |title=Stampede shuts down but animal rights debate lingers |work=Toronto Star |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2011-01-09 |archive-date=2010-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723160930/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/837719--stampede-shuts-down-but-animal-rights-debate-lingers |url-status=live }}</ref> Racers admit the sport is dangerous, but defend their sport amidst the controversy, arguing that the animals are well cared for, and that allowing them to race saves many horses from prematurely going to slaughter.<ref>{{citation |last=Spencer |first=Donna |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/article/837399 |title=Horse deaths have many questioning Stampede chuckwagon races |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2011-01-09 |work=Toronto Star |archive-date=2011-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722152704/http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/837399 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Bull-Riding-Szmurlo.jpg|thumb|A bull rider in action; supporters of the rodeo argue the livestock is well cared for|alt=A man attempts to hang onto a rope tied around a bucking bull, while a rodeo clown and several cowboys look on.]]
Following a particularly deadly series of accidents in 1986 where nine horses were killed in chuckwagon racing incidents alone&nbsp;– including five horses in one spectacular crash&nbsp;– humane society officials, fans and even some drivers called for major changes to the races, while others called for the sport to be banned entirely.<ref>{{citation |last=Cunningham |first=Jim |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=89lkAAAAIBAJ&pg=6278%2C2016115 |title=Tragic chuckwagon races bring call for tougher rules |work=Calgary Herald |date=1986-07-15 |access-date=2011-04-23 |pages=A1–A2 |archive-date=2021-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020231057/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=89lkAAAAIBAJ&pg=6278%2C2016115 |url-status=live }}</ref> Numerous rule changes were announced prior to the 1987 event. The Calgary chapter of the [[Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] accepted the changes, stating it would not call for the sport to be banned given that Stampede officials had moved to improve animal safety,<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rooxAAAAIBAJ&pg=860,3110392 |title=Rules toughened at chuckwagon races |work=Montreal Gazette |date=1986-11-06 |access-date=2011-04-23 |page=B6 |archive-date=2021-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020231057/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rooxAAAAIBAJ&pg=860%2C3110392 |url-status=live }}</ref> further changes were announced in 2011.<ref>{{citation |last=Fisher |first=Scott |title=Stampede tightens race rules |work=Calgary Sun |date=2011-02-15 |page=10}}</ref>

Tie down roping is a particular focus of efforts to eliminate the event.<ref name="TieDownRopingProtest">{{citation|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/pointofview/2010/07/calf-roping-at-the-calgary-stampede-should-it-be-banned.html |title=Calf roping at the Calgary Stampede: Should it be banned? |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2010-07-08 |access-date=2011-04-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119071204/http://www.cbc.ca/news/pointofview/2010/07/calf-roping-at-the-calgary-stampede-should-it-be-banned.html |archive-date=January 19, 2011 }}</ref> The Stampede altered its policies in 2010 to enforce the rules of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association.<ref name="2011RuleChanges">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/chuckwagons-rodeo-getting-new-rules-stampede-1.1041817 |title=Chuckwagons, rodeo getting new rules: Stampede |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2011-02-23 |access-date=2011-08-14 |archive-date=2012-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110053544/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/02/23/calgary-stampede-chuckwagon-rules-changes.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, the Stampede was the first rodeo to introduce a no-time penalty for competitors who make a dangerous tackle in the steer wrestling event.<ref name="MacLeansSteer" /> Several more changes were made in 2011, the rule changes were announced after six animals died at the 2010 Stampede and were met with mixed reactions from both cowboys and animal welfare groups.<ref>{{citation |last=Storry |first=Lea |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=00227e33-899b-4ce8-8245-9eb5bccf27c3 |title=Safety rules beefed up for Calgary Stampede events |work=Calgary Herald |date=2011-02-24 |access-date=2011-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905143024/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=00227e33-899b-4ce8-8245-9eb5bccf27c3 |archive-date=2012-09-05 }}</ref>

Such changes have not eliminated all risks; periodic accidents have continued to result in the deaths of horses and livestock.<ref name="CBCAccidents">{{citation|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/calgary_stampede/ |title=Deadly accidents at the Calgary Stampede |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2005-07-04 |access-date=2011-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031053747/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/calgary_stampede/ |archive-date=October 31, 2010 }}</ref> One of the deadliest incidents in Stampede history occurred in 2005 when, late in a trail ride meant to help celebrate the province's centennial, a group of about 200 horses became spooked and in the melee nine horses were killed after they were pushed off a city bridge into the [[Bow River]].<ref name="2005TRDeaths">{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/9-horses-die-during-calgary-stampede-drive-1.543012 |title=9 horses die during Calgary Stampede drive |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2005-07-04 |access-date=2011-04-23 |archive-date=2012-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109185031/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2005/07/04/stampede-050704.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While similar trail rides had been completed without incident in the past,<ref name="2005TRDeaths" /> Stampede officials announced they would not attempt any further rides unless they could ensure the safety of the horses.<ref>{{citation |last=D'Aliesio |first=Renata |title=Stampede will not rule out city rides |work=Calgary Herald |date=2005-12-17 |page=B1}}</ref>

Animal welfare groups have called animal deaths "depressingly predictable" and seek a boycott of the rodeo.<ref>{{cite news|last=Montgomery |first=Shannon |url=http://www.canadaeast.com/front/article/1141121 |title=Calgary Stampede head says horse deaths, midway accident not 'catastrophic' |publisher=Brunswick News, Inc. |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2011-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111150055/http://www.canadaeast.com/front/article/1141121 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 }}</ref> In the United Kingdom travel agencies have been asked to stop offering tourism packages to the Stampede, and in 2010, 92 members of the UK Parliament signed an [[Early Day Motion]] asking their Canadian counterparts to ban rodeo.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-rodeo-condemned-by-u-k-mps-activists-1.937882 |title=Calgary rodeo condemned by U.K. MPs, activists |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2010-07-08 |access-date=2011-04-18 |archive-date=2012-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109184948/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2010/07/08/calgary-stampede-rodeo-uk-mps-motion.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/252 |title=Early Day motion 252&nbsp;– Rodeo events and animal welfare |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |access-date=2011-11-01 |archive-date=2011-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122040027/http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/252 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several groups petitioned the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to cancel their planned attendance in 2011.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/06/10/prince-william-and-kate-middleton-urged-to-avoid-cruel-rodeo-on-canada-visit-by-animal-rights-group-115875-23192884/ |title=Prince William and Kate Middleton urged to avoid 'cruel' rodeo on Canada visit by animal rights group |work=Daily Mirror |date=2011-06-10 |access-date=2011-06-25 |archive-date=2011-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613100553/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/06/10/prince-william-and-kate-middleton-urged-to-avoid-cruel-rodeo-on-canada-visit-by-animal-rights-group-115875-23192884/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/europe/the-royal-wedding/politics-and-protocol/peta-urges-william-and-kate-to-skip-planned-visit-to-stampede/article2082220/?from=sec431 |title=PETA urges William and Kate to skip planned visit to Stampede |work=The Globe and Mail |date=2011-06-30 |access-date=2011-07-02 |archive-date=2012-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112093545/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/europe/the-royal-wedding/politics-and-protocol/peta-urges-william-and-kate-to-skip-planned-visit-to-stampede/article2082220/?from=sec431 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the couple attended and participated in a private demonstration of rodeo and chuckwagon events.<ref>{{citation |last=McMurray |first=Jenna |title=Stampede welcomes royalty as Will and Kate don their duds |work=Calgary Sun |date=2011-07-08 |page=3}}</ref>

=== Casualties ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Details
!Reference
|-
|2024
|3 horses, Chuckwagon race ; 1 steer, steer wrestling
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-14 |title=Another horse euthanized after suffering fracture during chuckwagon races at Calgary Stampede |url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/another-horse-euthanized-after-suffering-fracture-during-chuckwagon-races-at-calgary-stampede-1.6963579 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Calgary |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2023
|1 horse, Chuckwagon race
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Horse euthanized following injury during Calgary Stampede chuckwagon race {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9834658/9834658-horse-dead-stampede-chuckwagon/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|1 horse, Chuckwagon race
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chuckwagon horse euthanized after Calgary Stampede race {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8992377/chuckwagon-horse-euthanized-calgary-stampede-race-2022/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|6 horses, Rangeland Derby chuckwagon race
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=David |date=July 15, 2019 |title=2019 Calgary Stampede ties as 2nd deadliest year for chuckwagon horses |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-animal-horse-deaths-total-1.5212439 }}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Hudes |first=Sammy |date=July 15, 2019 |title=Stampede promises 'thorough review' of chuckwagon safety after deaths of six horses |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/chuckwagon-rig-goes-down-on-last-night-at-the-races}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|1 horse
|<ref name=":7" />
|-
|2017
|1 horse
|<ref name=":7" />
|-
|2016
|no casualties
|<ref name=":7" />
|-
|2015
|4 horses
|<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-13 |title=Calgary Stampede: Why horses die on the 'half-mile of hell' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33511970 |access-date=2024-07-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|2014
|1 horse Chuckwagon race; 1 steer, steer wrestling
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-07-10 |title=Calgary Stampede chuckwagon horse's death reignites debate over animal cruelty |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/calgary-stampede-chuckwagon-horse-death-reignites-debate-over-001514081.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Highlights from the 2014 Calgary Stampede - Calgary {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1449054/highlights-from-the-2014-calgary-stampede/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|2010
|6 horses, Rangeland Derby chuckwagon race
|<ref name=":7" />
|}