Calgary Stampede spokeswoman 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 – this was reduced to three wagons this year. “That’s the only thing people will notice as they watch from the stands and on TV,” Barnes said. Specially made boundary brackets have also been added to the track to create a buffer between the carriages and the rails. “In the past, people would see some pillars on the track. So we replaced those with these sliding arms for the races,” Barnes said. “If there’s contact between them and a carriage, they’re made to roll back and break on the side of the rail. So it’s not a trip hazard, it’s just to create that extra space on the track.” Stampede spokeswoman Kristina Barnes stands next to the new custom-made boundary brackets, which are meant to create a safety zone on the track. (Marc-Antoine Leblanc/Radio-Canada) The Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races return to this year’s Stampede after missing the last two years — in 2020 after the entire Stampede was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2021 as organizers cited safety issues. Chuck wagons 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. This was the second deadliest tally in Stampede history. The return of the event led some animal rights groups to push back. When Kevin Costner was announced as the parade marshal for this year’s Stampede, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, called for him to step down, citing the event’s history of reportedly involving the deaths of more than 70 horses over the years. “Reducing some of the dangerous aspects of racing is like cutting off only one ear from a dog instead of two. It’s better than nothing but not good enough,” PETA said in an emailed statement Tuesday. “The only way to prevent horses from being hurt and dying is to stop using them and PETA joins every animal welfare organization under the sun and kind people across Canada who want these reckless, barbaric races simply to end.” The Stampede has repeatedly said animal and human safety is its No. 1 priority. “As always, we welcome PETA for a direct discussion about our animal care practices,” he previously told CBC News in an email.
The drivers are happy to be back
Professional chuckwagon driver Kris Molle said he’s excited to be back at the Calgary Stampede, even with the changes. “It’s definitely more exciting with four cars, but it will definitely have more room on the track to maneuver,” Molle said. “Safety is why they did it. So try it this year is all we can do.” Molle said that in his opinion, chuck wagon racing is no different than any sport when it comes to safety. “You have your incidents. We have to take the necessary precautions to keep improving to be better and safer. That’s true for every sport,” he said. Professional chuck wagon driver Kris Molle says he expects the Rangeland Derby to still be a good show even with recent changes aimed at increasing race safety. (Marc-Antoine Leblanc/Radio-Canada) The Stampede said it is making an effort to do enhanced veterinary inspections and pointed to ongoing studies at the University of Calgary focusing on chuck wagon racing. Researchers at the university are trying to find ways to reduce the chance of horse injuries by studying track conditions and how they affect horses’ hooves and bones while galloping at full speed. Sensors were placed on horse hooves, cannon bones and spokes using saddles equipped with data measuring devices. Dr. Renaud Léguillette, a professor of veterinary medicine at the university, told CBC’s The Homestretch that harder dirt is harder on bones and joints, while softer bits 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 next year they’ll probably make some changes and at least monitor, you know, the hardness of the track and implement some changes to the track as needed,” Léguillette said. The games this year are scheduled to be played in nine series per night. Twenty-seven drivers compete for the prize money, along with their 162 horses.
