A horse named Rider, part of Chad Fike's team, was euthanized after sustaining a fracture to its left front cannon bone during a chuckwagon race at the Calgary Stampede. This marks the first reported animal death at the 2025 Stampede. Animal rights groups, including the Vancouver Humane Society and Animal Justice, have long called for the elimination of the rodeo portion of the event due to the high number of animal deaths, with at least 110 animals dying over the last four decades.
'Humane decision': Horse euthanized after injury during Calgary Stampede chuckwagon race
AlbertaCalgaryVancouverAnimal JusticeCALGARY HUMANE SOCIETYCalgary StampedeVancouver Humane SocietyWorld Professional Chuckwagon AssociationCEO Joel CowleyChad FikeEmily PickettJoel CowleyAnimalsHorsesInjuriesAnimal rights
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A horse named Rider, part of Chad Fike's team, was euthanized after sustaining a fracture to its left front cannon bone during a chuckwagon race at the Calgary Stampede. This marks the first reported animal death at the 2025 Stampede. Animal rights groups, including the Vancouver Humane Society and Animal Justice, have long called for the elimination of the rodeo portion of the event due to the high number of animal deaths, with at least 110 animals dying over the last four decades.
Trending- 1 Last four decades: At least 110 animals, including 79 horses in chuckwagon races, have died during the Calgary Stampede.
- 2 Last year: Three horses and a steer were euthanized at the Stampede.
- 3 Saturday (current year): Horse sustained injury during chuckwagon race.
- 4 Saturday (current year): Horse was euthanized.
- 5 Sunday (current year): Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Cowley held a media availability.
- 6 Today (current year): 2025 Calgary Stampede wraps.
- Death of a horse
- Renewed calls from animal rights groups to end chuckwagon races
- Ongoing debate about animal welfare in rodeo events
What: A horse named Rider was euthanized after suffering a racing injury (fracture to left front cannon bone) during a chuckwagon race at the Calgary Stampede.
When: Saturday (current year) - injury occurred. Sunday (current year) - media availability. 2025 Stampede (current year) - wraps today. Last year's Stampede. Last four decades (animal deaths).
Where: Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta. Cremona, Alberta (Chad Fike's residence).
Why: The horse sustained a severe racing injury that necessitated euthanasia as a "humane decision." Animal rights groups advocate for ending chuckwagon races due to the inherent risk of injury and death to animals.
How: The injury occurred during the eighth heat of a chuckwagon race. Medical care was immediately dispatched, and the decision to euthanize was made by the owner and veterinary team.