Calgary is, undeniably, a multi-horse town. While our cowboy and ranching heritage started much of Calgary’s love affair with all things equine, there are ample opportunities to see all different kinds of horses, be it through a farm visit to Butterfield Acres or spotting the Calgary Police Service’s Mounted Patrol Team trotting around the city.
If you really want to horse around, gallop over to horsey venues around town to take in the many world-class equine sports this city hosts. Whether you’re after refined show jumping at Spruce Meadows, horse racing at Century Downs, energetic games at the Calgary Polo Club or the annual rip-roaring action at the Calgary Stampede, here’s a guide to help you enjoy the year of the horse — especially if this is your first rodeo.
Chuckwagon and Relay Races
Officially known as the Rangeland Derby, chuckwagon races have been a part of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth since 1923. Over the 10 nights of the Calgary Stampede (July 3 to 12), 27 drivers compete in nine heats each evening. Each wagon is pulled by four thoroughbred horses, typically retired from track racing, so expect some real speed as they thunder down the track.
The race starts with a fast, and fairly chaotic, figure-eight loop around barrels after pairs of outriders for each team throw a barrel into the back of the wagon and follow the racers down the track. It’s all designed to mimic the act of cowboys “breaking camp” before racing off to the next job. While the stakes were high back then, they’re even higher now, with big prize money awaiting the winner on the final night.
Indigenous Relay Race
This culturally significant sport had a presence in the Stampede’s early history, but it officially returned as a demonstration event in 2017. Last year, Indigenous relay racing became a full competition sport with official prize money, showcasing 12 teams’ remarkable skills to evening show audiences.
A running relay sees competitors passing a baton, but horse relay riders play the part of the baton themselves, physically jumping from horse to horse as they race around the track. Each of the night’s two races features four competitors bareback riding on three horses per race. Dancers and drummers from the Elbow River Camp help transition the crowd from the chuckwagon races to this riveting and distinctive sport that conveys Indigenous peoples’ deep connection to horses.
What to wear
Western wear is appropriate, whether that’s just jeans or a full Stampede outfit complete with cowboy hat, boots, bolo tie or what have you. The events take place outdoors in the evening, so a jacket (waterproof or otherwise) is never a bad idea.
What to expect
As part of the Stampede’s evening show, the chuckwagon races take place first, immediately followed by the relay races, which then lead into the Grandstand show. All three events are on one ticket.
What to watch for
With the chuckwagons, be sure to keep an eye on the outriders. If they get too close or fall too far behind their wagon, the team will be penalized. For the relays, take note of the pure athleticism of the riders as they literally leap from horse to horse at break-neck speeds.
Insider tips
Arrive early to get a deeper understanding by catching the “Chuckwagon 101” pre-race demo. And don’t miss the Lady Warrior race, which is a single lap around the track by all Indigenous female bareback riders just before the relay race. Choose a favourite rider or driver to cheer on for each race to further pump up the excitement. —Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
calgarystampede.com/stampede/shows/evening
Calgary Stampede Rodeo
The Stampede rodeo isn’t just one event. It’s more like a cowboy track-and-field meet, with seven adrenaline-steeped events, each one seemingly tougher than the next. Rodeo has always been a signature part of Stampede, and it’s now one of the top rodeos in the world with over $2 million in prize money doled out to those most skilled in the arts of riding, roping, steer wrestling, and withstanding the powerful bucks of bulls and broncs.
The seven rodeo events are barrel racing and breakaway racing (both events for women competitors, with the latter being introduced just last year), tie-down roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc and, perhaps the most prestigious of them all, bull riding. While it may sound like a lot, each event goes surprisingly quick.
What to wear
Again, Western wear is the go-to apparel of choice, but, since this is an outdoor afternoon event, make sure you’re wearing a good hat that can provide both shade from the sun and shelter from rain. Sunscreen is also a must. For those with tickets for the tarmac, comfortable shoes are a good idea, as it’s standing-room only.
What to expect
A rodeo ticket includes the full slate of events starting at 1:30 p.m. While the action on the field is intense, you can choose which events you want to pay the closest attention to, making for a more chilled-out event than the high-octane chuckwagon races.
What to watch for
Each of the seven events has its own specifications. Announcers and Rodeo 101 videos help spectators understand how scoring works. Once you get it, you’ll better appreciate the skills of the competitors.
Insider tips
Get tickets in advance. While the infield seats give serious rodeo fans the best perspective, the standing-room area provides up-close action and also carries more of a party atmosphere. Remember to stay hydrated — all that cheering is bound to make you thirsty, especially under a blazing sun. —Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
calgarystampede.com/stampede/rodeo
Polo
If you think hockey is thrilling to watch with its brisk pace, dangerous moves, heated rivalries and maybe a hot player or two, then polo is definitely for you.
Played on grass in an area the size of nine football fields, a polo match has two teams of four players, all riding horses. The teams face off in an attempt to score as many goals as possible in the opponents’ net.
About 40 minutes south of downtown by car, the Calgary Polo Club is one of North America’s oldest (established in 1890) and largest, with more than 300 acres including five full-sized polo fields, track, barns and paddocks.
Games are held most Thursday and Friday afternoons and back to back Saturday and Sunday from late June to the end of September, depending on the weather.
“Expect a lot of horses, action and a fast-paced game,” says Calgary Polo Club president Frank Galdon.
What to wear
White jeans and tees are a fixture of polo fans’ wardrobes, except for hosted events, where the uniform of choice is something out of a Ralph Lauren catalogue. Think garden-party frocks for the ladies and dressy jackets for the men. The divot stomp (divots are clumps of earth torn up by the ponies’ hooves) happens at halftime and platform wedges for the ladies are a must, as heels tear up the turf. Closed-toed shoes are even better, as you might pick up an unwelcome souvenir otherwise.
What to expect
A match consists of four to six “chukkers” or seven-minute periods, and generally lasts about an hour. An afternoon of this incredible action and athleticism in spectacular surroundings is all free, unless there’s a sponsored event taking place.
What to watch for
Don’t be surprised by the physical contact. Checking, hooking and riding another player off from the line of the ball are not only permitted, but expected. While referred to as ponies (they were historically restricted to pony size), the fearless, level-headed polo mounts are actually horses. Today’s average polo mount stands at approximately 15.2 hands tall (one hand is four inches).
Insider tips
Best seats in the house are fieldside, close to the action. Just beware of flying clods of sod. Tailgate parties are encouraged. Bring your own paté and champagne, or sandwiches and beer, if you prefer. —Karen Ashbee
Horse Racing
Widely considered one of the oldest and most enduring sports in human history, horse racing has remained largely unchanged since ancient times.
For more than a century, horse racing has been happening closer to home, in and around the city. These days, Century Downs Race Track and Casino is the only place to watch live horse racing close to Calgary.
Century Downs opened 11 years ago, and, while the casino operates year-round, horse racing only takes place in the spring, summer and fall. You can bet on a horse, but you don’t have to. You can simply enjoy the ground-shaking action. Standardbred racing (also called harness racing) takes place most often, but in the fall you can also see thoroughbred and quarter horses on the tracks.
What to wear
Pack sunscreen and wear layers. There’s no dress code — unless you’re there for the high-glam Packwood Grand event in July. Then you’ll want your fanciest, most fabulous getups, complete with hats and fascinators. The wilder and more original, the better.
What to expect
The number of horses varies depending on the day, but there are typically eight per race. Expect to stay about four hours if you want to see a full day’s action.
What to watch for
Horse racing has its own vocabulary. The starting gate is the car that starts each race. Yes, a car. With a gate. A sulky is a two-wheeled cart that carries the driver in harness racing, and colours refer to a driver’s jacket; each driver registers their colours and wears them every race. But when you’re talking about thoroughbred racing jackets, you refer to them as silks, not colours. The home stretch, located nearest the spectators, is the straight length of the track by the finish line. A win, as expected, means your horse finished first. “Place” means your horse finished second, while “show” means a third-place finish.
Insider tips
Except during Packwood Grand, Century Downs horse racing is free — parking, too. Families are welcome. On-site restaurants offer everything from hot dogs and fries to local beer and fancy eats. Events featuring multiple stakes races include Christmas in July on July 18, with a market and barn tours, and the Mid-Summer Classic on August 8, where riders compete for large purses. —Shelley Boettcher
Show Jumping
On the outskirts of Calgary’s southwest boundary, Spruce Meadows, a world-class sports and entertainment venue, is renowned for hosting international equestrian sport.
Several annual show jumping tournaments take place here, primarily from May through September, peaking with the prestigious Masters event (September 9 to 13 this year) as part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping — the creme de la creme in equestrian.
Of note, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, located just past Spruce Meadows, hosts 20-plus tournaments every year, all open to the public.
Show jumping competitions involve horse-and-rider pairs navigating an obstacle course, including fences, walls and water features, to test speed, agility and precision. The goal is to complete the course with the fewest penalties or faults in the fastest time, typically for a big cash prize. Tournaments generally feature 20 to 30 riders per competition class, representing numerous nations. For the Masters, there can be 100-plus horse-and-rider pairs.
Follow the crowd’s oohs and aahs to see how exhilarating this sport can be.
What to wear
Dress in upscale sporty chic suitable for the outdoors (so bring a jacket, hat and sunglasses). Opt for polished, but comfortable clothes like blazers, sundresses or fancy jeans paired with dress flats or boots.
What to expect
Despite the pomp and circumstance around show jumping, Spruce Meadows is a genuinely public space, open to anyone. Tournaments typically offer general admission tickets without cover or guaranteed seating but are the least expensive (usually $25/$30; kids $10). For bigger competitions like the Masters, you can buy reserved grandstand seats for around $60, or splurge for premium VIP tickets in the realm of $900.
What to watch for
A clear (or clean) round — when the horse and rider complete the course on time and without faults. Faults are accumulated for knocking down a rail, for the horse refusing to jump and for exceeding the time allowed. When two or more horses have the same number of faults and compete in a tiebreaker, that’s called a jump-off.
Insider tips
All Spruce Meadows tournament tickets include show jumping, entertainment and weekend activities. Bonus: parking is free. The May Classic and Harvest Classic events are free for all to attend. Plus, when no ticketed event is on, there’s no entry fee to enjoy the grounds and see horses training. Visitors can bring their own food, even during the Masters, though there are many tasty offerings on-site, including the Foxtrot restaurant and café. —Colleen Seto