Rodeo slashes its program
Calf's death triggers elimination of events stressing animals
Frank Luba, The Province
Published: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Cowboy Mike Puhallo wasn't happy to learn the Cloverdale Rodeo had scrapped half its program after a calf was injured and had to be euthanized.
"It's a sad day for the sport of rodeo and a sad day for cowboys and, I think, totally unnecessary," Puhallo said yesterday as he loaded bulls on to a truck for transport to the range.
Saturday's accident at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds followed one in 2004 in which a steer had to be put down after it was hurt in the steer- wrestling competition.
The Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association asked the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association for changes to make events safer, but none were introduced, said Cloverdale spokeswoman Laura Ballance.
After Saturday's accident, Cloverdale's board voted unanimously to drop tie-down roping -- the event in which the calf was hurt. Also dropped were team roping, cowboy cow milking and steer-wrestling.
Jim Pippolo, general manager of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association, said yesterday that without tie-down roping and steer wrestling, Cloverdale couldn't be sanctioned as a point-gathering event for rodeo competitors.
"We're disappointed," said Pippolo. "We'd like to see a little more time put into making a decision as dramatic as this."
But dropping the four events will also mean bigger prizes for fewer events.
"We believe this decision will allow Cloverdale to focus on the events that our rodeo fans have told us are the most popular: saddle bronc, bull riding, bareback riding and barrel racing," said Ballance.
Puhallo, who has competed and judged in rodeos, wasn't roped in by her explanation.
"Accidents do happen and cattle die," said the plain-speaking 54-year-old from outside Kamloops. "If you cut to the chase, a cow is born to die and the cowboy's whole purpose in life is to have them do it at our convenience.
"We do have a real world where animals die so we can eat. The moral dilemma from an urban perspective is whether you can do it for recreation. But the fact is the very things that happen in a rodeo arena are things I do every day."
Cloverdale Rodeo president Gerry Spielmacher said the decision to move away from traditional rodeo events was "extremely hard."
"But in the end, we want to put on an event that we can be proud of. This also reflects the values of not only the people who work here and volunteer here but also the community and the fans that support us."
Liberation B.C., an activist group that protested at Saturday's event, welcomed the decision.
"That is just fantastic," said its spokeswoman Joanne Chang. "Those events are very cruel."
Vancouver Humane Society executive-director Debra Probert said: "I don't think this was an easy decision to make and, on behalf of the Vancouver Humane Society, I'd like to commend those involved."
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© The Vancouver Province 2007