Dear Mayor McCallum and Council,

I am writing to say how disappointed I am that your City still allows the Cloverdale Rodeo to take place each year, despite evidence of animal cruelty.

As a former national rodeo participant in both Canada and the USA, I can tell you firsthand that the cruelty which goes on behind the scenes, that you and the public don't see, is the root of the problem. The "accidental" death of that steer is nothing compared to the way horses and cattle are handled by cowboys on a daily basis, with no regard for their welfare or psychological needs. Just because animals look fat, shiny and healthy, does not mean they are treated properly in other equally important ways. And to those people who have been involved at the local level with horses and defend this event because they have not personally seen the kinds of attitudes and cruelty that I have, let me assure you that these cowboys are in it for the money and the prestige, and they are not called Professionals for nothing. They treat their animals like consumable commodities, and when one breaks they simply replace it with another. You cannot compare the attitudes of local horse people with those of professional rodeo cowboys. If the local people had gone on to compete at the National and International levels like I did, they would be as horrified at the differences as I was! They are defending something they know nothing about, and that is a dangerous thing.

In recent years, several "Horse Whisperer" type people have attempted to get into the minds of those in all arenas of the horse world, and to teach them that there is a far better, gentler, more humane way of doing things. While they have had some success in reaching those in the equitation and show jumping world, and those backyard horse people who do local events, they admit that the one group of people they cannot reach in any way, are the cowboys. These men and women have been handling livestock the same way for many generations, and are resistant to any change. I have seen firsthand the cruelty inflicted on these terrified animals, and that is why I choose to no longer be involved.

I urge you to put a stop to this cruel treatment of animals, by no longer supporting the Cloverdale Rodeo in your city.

Emma Vandewetering
Port Moody, BC