Canada Equine ...On-Line News: First Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Safety Commission Appointed

We Accept:

Directory Listings:

Pick of the Best!
Overseas Horse Services Ltd.

First Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Safety Commission Appointed

April 9, 2008

Calgary, AB --- The Calgary Stampede today reinforced its commitment to chuckwagon safety with the

appointment of a three-person Chuckwagon Safety Commission. The commission is one of the key

recommendations in the recently released chuckwagon safety report.

“When it comes to the well-being of all chuckwagon participants – drivers, outriders and animals – this

new commission will hold the hammer to remind everyone involved that the Calgary Stampede will not

compromise safety,” said Dr. David Chalack, vice chairman of the Calgary Stampede and chair of the

review committee which in February announced a far-reaching action plan. “The three individuals

appointed to this commission have been involved in chuckwagon racing for decades and are committed to

the integrity of the sport.”

Appointed to the new Chuckwagon Safety Commission are local lawyer Stan Church, who will serve as

chair; Ron Carey, long-time Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon supporter; and Mike Whittle, Stampede

vice-president responsible for chuckwagon racing. These appointments are for a three-year term.

The Commission will have two main functions during the GMC Rangeland Derby:

1. The Chuckwagon Commission will enforce the newly created Code of Conduct for drivers and

participants in the GMC Rangeland Derby.

2. The Chuckwagon Commission will act as a review body with respect to interference infractions that

occur during the chuckwagon races. The Commission would also act as an appeal board for drivers

wishing to appeal fines and/or suspensions that have been assessed.

“We know that the vast majority of competitors in the GMC Rangeland Derby conduct themselves in a

professional and safe manner,” said Church, who was also a member of the chuckwagon safety review

committee. “Too often, however, we’ve seen examples of unprofessional behaviour that undermine the

safety of all. Our commission will hold all participants accountable for their actions, on and off the track.”

The February safety report also set into motion a number of other initiatives that will be implemented in

advance of the 2008 GMC Rangeland Derby, including:

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

2. Publication of a Code of Conduct for all race participants to set clear expectations for professional

conduct;

3. A review of the process for the selection, training and preparation of GMC Rangeland Derby judges;

and

4. New efforts to 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.