Calgary Stampede Cutting Horse Futurity, presented by Wrangler
Calgary – See incredible athletic ability and instinct in action this week at the Calgary Stampede Cutting Horse Futurity, presented by Wrangler. More than 240 of the best cutting horses in North America will be competing in this prestigious event at the Agrium Western Event Centre, October 14-18.
The highlight of this exciting, family friendly competition is the Saturday night Cut of the West, featuring live music from Canadian country music artist Drew Gregory and a unique western marketplace. There will also be a new element of fun this year with a celebrity cutting competition. Olympian Mellissa Hollingsworth, bareback rider Jake Vold, news anchor Amber Schinkel and professional rodeo clown Dennis Halstead have been training hard and will battle for celebrity cutting supremacy. The Saturday Night Cut of the West kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on October 17.
In cutting, each horse and rider is faced with a herd of cattle and two and a half minutes on the clock. Working together they must select, or cut, a single cow from of the herd. It’s then up to the horse to use its instincts, also known as cow sense, to keep it from returning to the herd.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, local horse trainer Doug Reinhardt uses hockey as an analogy. He says watching a horse develop the cow sense needed for cutting, and then move through the different classes, is like watching a rookie work his way up through the ranks to the NHL. And Reinhardt says this week is when he aims to have the horses he trains performing at their best. “You want to peak the horses for Calgary, you’ve got to peak them at the right time. You want to keep building and then go show them in Calgary.”
The public is encouraged to share in the excitement, and come see what cutting is all about. Admission is complimentary.
Agenda
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 16, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Evening Performance at 6:30 p.m. includes:
Celebrity Cutting Competition
Open Classic / Challenge Final
Bill Collins Cutting Spectacular – (Bill Collins Youth Scholarship Fundraiser)
Sunday, October 18, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together; we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes western heritage and values. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.