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Chuckwagon Safety Review Committee Sets Action Plan

February 21, 2008

Calgary, AB --- The Calgary Stampede today announced that it will move immediately to implement the far-reaching action plan recommended by the Chuckwagon Safety Review committee.

The committee was struck to review the incident during last year’s GMC Rangeland Derby in which a collision resulted in the deaths of three horses and the injury of driver Tyler Helmig.

“The Calgary Stampede is setting a new standard for safety in the sport of chuckwagon racing,” said Dr. David Chalack, vice-chairman of the Calgary Stampede and chairman of the review committee. The review committee also included leaders from the chuckwagon racing industry, independent of the Stampede. “Our top priority is the safety of all participants – drivers, outriders and animals – and our actions stemming from the review will make it clear to everyone involved that we will not compromise that priority.”

The committee’s report and recommendations were endorsed by the Stampede’s Board of Directors. As a result, the Calgary Stampede will take the following actions in advance of the 2008 GMC Rangeland Derby:

1. Dramatically increase penalties, fines and suspensions for wagon interference;

2. Publish a Code of Conduct for all race participants to set clear expectations for professional conduct;

3. Appoint a three-person Chuckwagon Commission that will enforce the Code of Conduct and oversee the process for review and appeal of interference penalties;

4. Conduct a review of the process for the selection, training and preparation of GMC Rangeland Derby judges; and

5. Work with the two major chuckwagon associations on developing a unified set of rules for the sport of chuckwagon racing.

A copy of the full report is available at www.calgarystampede.com/chuckwagonsafetyreport.

In regard to the 2007 incident, after reviewing the circumstances and related video, the Committee supported the Stampede’s findings and based on the available evidence, the committee felt no further sanctions were warranted beyond what the Stampede has already assessed.

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