Just as animal owners are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care while at Stampede Park, we are committed to providing the safest conditions possible across all our facilities. The Stampede actively engages with leading animal welfare experts throughout the year, including veterinarians, researchers, auditors, competitors, owners and handlers to further enhance animal welfare and safety.

One of the most comprehensive health and safety program initiatives in the industry, the Stampede’s Fitness to Compete program ensures that only the fittest and healthiest animals compete at The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth. Every animal at Stampede Park recieves an observational veterinary inspection each and every day, with the thoroughbred chuckwagon horses, Heavy Horse Pull competitors and rodeo stock all getting an even more thorough inspection. If at any time or for any reason an animal is identified as not fit to participate, they are removed from competition.

As a global leader in the livestock exhibition and Western sports industries, the Calgary Stampede operates under some of the most stringent animal care standards in the world and prioritizes both the physical and psychological well-being of all animals involved. Our approach aligns with the Five Domains Model, a framework endorsed by World Animal Protection (WAP), ensuring optimal animal nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental state.

Through groundbreaking research and thoughtful engagement with leading industry experts, the Calgary Stampede makes science-based decisions regarding animal care and safety. The following initiatives have been undertaken:

  • Ongoing engagement with the University of Calgary on unique, groundbreaking research using the Five Domains Model to study animal welfare at the Stampede Rodeo.

  • Engaged an industry expert on animal handling, behaviour and welfare, who has also received specialized training from Dr. Temple Grandin, to perform annual audits and daily assessments of agriculture, rodeo and chuckwagon areas, noting opportunities for immediate and longer-term improvements.

  • Engaged an independent auditor in 2024 to perform a three-day audit and assessment of Rodeo and Chuckwagon Racing, noting future opportunities for improvement.

  • Initiated a system where assessments are reviewed by employees daily, with any necessary modifications implemented immediately.

  • Invested in ground-penetrating radar testing of both the track and rodeo infield to identify the presence of mounds or depressions in the base material, ensuring optimal footing conditions.

  • Groundbreaking chuckwagon horse research in partnership with the University of Calgary including:
    Identifying an equine baseline for troponin in the blood, which could be used in the future to identify underlying cardiovascular or other health issues.

  • Ongoing testing and research on the track focused on identifying optimal running conditions.

  • Enhanced pre-race veterinary inspections of chuckwagon horses, taking our already stringent Fitness to Compete program to another level.

  • Drug testing to protect the welfare of animals, promote fair competition, ensure safety, preserve the reputation of the sport, and comply with established regulations. The aim is to create an environment where competition is conducted with integrity and the welfare of the animals and all participants is prioritized.

  • In 2024, drug testing was conducted on horses involved in the chuckwagon races, with no violations found. Additional testing on horses in Relay Racing and Barrel Racing, as well as steers competing in the International Youth Livestock program, also resulted in no violations.

  • Reducing the number of chuckwagons competing in each heat from four to three, thereby creating more room for wagons to maneuver.

  • Installed custom-made safety arms to the inside of the track, creating a buffer zone between the wagons and the inside rail.

  • Replaced the aggregate award with a safety award and reallocated $136,500 in prize money to recognize the drivers with the best safety records throughout Stampede.

  • Rule modification to allow outriders to assist chuckwagon drivers with no penalty.

  • New software developed for Fitness to Compete for sophisticated tracking of race and rest days, including medical care of equine athletes.

    Additional Safety and Care Standards

  • Implemented and continue to annually enhance the most comprehensive animal fitness program in North America: The Fitness to Compete program.

  • Originally designed for equine athletes in the Chuckwagon Races, this program now includes Relay Racing.

  • Components of the program are also utilized in other competitions such as Barrel Racing and Heavy Horse Pull.

  • Added professional outriders to the mounted Chuckwagon and Relay safety team.

  • Expanded pre-race tracking scans of chuckwagon horses to include all competing horses, in lieu of random selection.

  • Enhanced pre-competition inspections of chuckwagons and harness equipment to identify any structural deficiencies. This includes magnetic particle inspection of the wagon pole to confirm structural integrity.

  • Established the most stringent rules and regulations for Rodeo, surpassing standard Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) rules to deliver the highest animal welfare standards in Rodeo.

  • Provide advice, advocacy and support for other rodeos and exhibitions to adopt and implement Stampede rules and standards.

    • In 2024, secured a seat on the PRCA’s Animal Care Advisory Board, helping to guide animal care and welfare at more than 600 rodeos across North America.

  • Added pre-event inspections of timed-event livestock one month before Stampede, to ensure appropriate size, musculature and overall health.

  • Included daily pre-competition inspections of all rodeo rough stock horses, bulls, steers and calves.

  • Instituted industry-leading drug testing of Barrel Racing horses to safeguard animal health and maintain a level playing field for all competitors.

    • The Stampede is currently the only rodeo in North America to require participating barrel racing horses to undergo drug testing.

  • Invested in the latest equipment, technology and handling methods for livestock movement around the Rodeo arena, Nutrien Western Event Centre, and Agriculture Building.

Rangeland Derby

Fitness to Compete at the Rangeland Derby

  • All chuckwagon horses are microchipped to track health inspections, rest days, veterinary care and drug testing.

  • All chuckwagon horses are given a thorough inspection by a team of veterinarians upon arrival at Stampede Park and each night prior to competition.

  • Chuckwagon drivers must submit a list of their competing horses prior to racing each night. Each horse undergoes a thorough pre-race inspection and can be scratched from competition if found not fit to compete.

  • Post-race inspections of all horses are carried out as they leave the track.

  • All horses are subject to random drug testing.

  • $136K in prize money allocated to recognize the drivers with the best safety records throughout Stampede.

  • Ongoing scientific research in partnership with the University of Calgary focused on learnings around horse health and track management.

Rest Days

  • Mandatory rest days are enforced for all competing horses.

  • If horses run for four consecutive days they must be given two rest days. Three consecutive days of racing require one rest day before a horse can return to competition.

Enhanced track maintenance

  • The Stampede track was rebuilt following widespread flooding in 2013, with extensive upgrades in 2016.

  • Continual maintenance takes place throughout each evening of racing with harrows of the track and grooming around the infield barrel positions following each heat of racing.

  • Ongoing year-round maintenance and testing, utilizing technology such as a hydrometer and ground penetrating radar.

  • Addition of a custom designed inner safety lane in 2022, using collapsible arms to create a buffer zone between the wagons and the inside rail of the track.

Driver Qualifications

  • Chuckwagon drivers are invited to compete at the Calgary Stampede with multiple factors under consideration including their race and safety records. Prior to 2016, drivers qualified solely on their race standings.

Other Stampede Agriculture and Western Events

  • Horses participating in the Heavy Horse Pull participate in the Calgary Stampede’s Fitness to Compete Program. As such, they undergo thorough veterinary inspections before competition as well as drug testing.

  • Animals in the Junior Steer Classic are subject to drug testing.

  • The overarching intent of our agriculture-related rules, regulations and procedures are to ensure the welfare of the animals as well as provide a fair and level playing field for all competitors in all events.

Stampede Rodeo Rules

Unnecessary Roughness

If at any time a competitor is seen to be treating an animal with unnecessary roughness, they could be fined or even removed from the rodeo.

Modified Tie-Down Roping

The Calgary Stampede uses modified rules in Tie-Down Roping, allowing the calf to be released almost immediately following the competitors tie. There is no required time for the calf to remain tied on the ground.

Jerk-Down Rule

If a calf in the Tie-Down Roping is jerked off all four feet and its body touches the ground prior to the roper reaching the calf, the roper will be penalized and his run will not be counted.  

Legal catch

In Tie-Down roping, if the calf is roped anywhere other than cleanly over its head, the competitor will be penalized and his run will not be counted.  

Steer Wrestling – Dog Fall Rule

In Steer Wrestling if a competitor brings a steer down with either with splayed legs, preventing it from falling safely, or with feet and head facing in different directions, that is considered a ‘dog fall’. The competitor would be penalized with a no time.

Barrel Racing – Drug Testing

All horses competing in the Barrel Racing will be subject to daily random drug testing.