If you’ve been following Stampede Spotlight over the last week, you’ll notice that there’s been a lot of concentration on heavy horses (also known as draft horses), which you can learn all about by visiting Draft Horse Town, a new exhibit for this year’s Stampede.
Their lightweight counterparts are aptly known as light horses, and they typically weigh between 900 to 1,500 lbs. They are primarily used for riding or for light work such as pulling buggies. There are dozens of breeds, and many of the horses that you see being used at Stampede time (for example, thoroughbreds are the main horses used for horse racing) are typically classified as light horses.
This year, 16 breeds of light horse will be on display at Horse Haven in the Agriculture Building. Open all 10 days of Stampede from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Horse Haven includes educational displays where you can learn about each light horse breed and interact with the horses representing those breeds, as well as speak with their owners to learn more about them or what it takes to own and maintain one.
Horse Haven also includes the Northern Lights Arena (NLA) which will showcase many exhibitions and demonstrations featuring the light horse breeds on display this year. The Canadian National Miniature Horse Show taking place both in the NLA and the Big Top is something to look out for (the mini horses are so cute!); and yes, those horses are fully grown.
Another event taking place in the Northern Lights Arena this year is Craig Cameron’s Clinic happening at noon for the first four days of Stampede. Craig Cameron is famous for creating the Extreme Cowboy Race, and for the first time ever, will be bringing his event to Canada and will debuting it at the Calgary Stampede’s Cowboy Up Challenge taking place in the Saddledome.
In April this year during Aggie Days, Craig performed a clinic and demonstration to attempt to teach riders the skills necessary to survive the challenge. It was very interesting, and it’s something you should try to check out this year. If his clinic at the Northern Lights Arena is anything like the one he put on during April, then even if you’re a non-horse rider like myself, you’ll probably walk away having learned something about riding. I know I did last April.
Anyways, if you’re trying to plan your Stampede in advance, don’t forget the light horses! Make sure you drop by Horse Haven during Stampede time and check it out. Entrance to Horse Haven, the Northern Lights Arena, and the Agriculture Building is free with your Park admission.
Tags: Spotlight
