A chuckwagon driver has been barred indefinitely from competing after a collision at the Calgary Stampede that caused a horseB次元官网网址檚 death.

B次元官网网址淲e live and work as a family committed to the well-being of our beloved animals and this type of incident impacts us deeply to the core,B次元官网网址� Stampede CEO Warren Connell told reporters Friday.

The Stampede says driver Chad Harden impeded fellow driver Danny RinguetteB次元官网网址檚 chuckwagon and caused a third rig driven by Evan Salmond to collide with the trackB次元官网网址檚 inner rail, resulting in severe injuries to a horse that led to its death.

It happened Thursday evening in the seventh heat of the Rangeland Derby. Three other horses on SalmondB次元官网网址檚 wagon had minor injuries.

An independent chuckwagon safety commission ruled Harden should be fined $10,000 and disqualified from the remainder of this yearB次元官网网址檚 racing, which means he will not be invited to compete in future events.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 think that Chad deliberately meant to do this,B次元官网网址� said Mike Whittle, chair of the safety commission. B次元官网网址漌e have determined that there was driver error involved in his decision making.B次元官网网址�

Whittle said heB次元官网网址檚 not aware of anything like this happening before.

He said Harden could technically ask to be reinstated as early as September, but there is no guarantee he would be allowed to compete again.

The Stampede has a zero tolerance policy for preventable accidents and injuries.

B次元官网网址淭he Stampede takes this very seriously. This is about our brand, this is about our commitment to the safety of our performers, both animals and people,B次元官网网址� said Connell.

The horse death was the third during this yearB次元官网网址檚 Stampede.

On Wednesday, a horse was euthanized after it broke a leg during a race, while Monday due to what the Stampede called a medical condition.

The Calgary and Vancouver humane societies are among the animal welfare groups critical of chuckwagon races.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 fair to say that while we have a difference in fundamental values, we do agree on something,B次元官网网址� said Stampede spokeswoman Kristina Barnes.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 ever want to see an animal injured when it heads out onto our chuckwagon track and IB次元官网网址檓 sure they would agree on that point.B次元官网网址�

Lauren Krugel , The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on