July 2, 2013 NEWS RELEASE

BIG HORSES AND THE BIG SHOE TOO HIGHLIGHT DRAFT HORSE TOWN

Calgary – It was a time when there were no internal combustion engines and no steam power. When heavy

work had to be done in the early days of Western Canada, it was done by horses. Heavy horses. Draft horses.

For the fourth consecutive year, there’s a corner of the Stampede where visitors can get a close look at these

mighty animals and discover their key role in laying the foundation for the world we live in today. According to

Dale Befus, the Mayor of Draft Horse Town, the full scope of what draft horses did isn’t well understood. “When

people think of a heavy horse, they think of an image of horses pulling a wagon or pulling a plow,” he says.

While there was certainly lots of plowing and wagon-pulling that went on, he notes, horses also drew the heavy

equipment for road-building and canal-digging and provided the power for well-drilling and water pumps.

“Anywhere there’s a diesel engine today, that’s where there was a draft horse,” Befus points out.

In the Town Centre of Draft Horse Town, visitors can take a step back into the past. They can examine the

equipment used generations ago and watch as craftsmen like blacksmiths and wheelwrights demonstrate skills

that once were vital to everyday life and work. “There’s something going on all the time,” says Befus. “The

firefighters do a demonstration, the roadbuilders are in there and we have a thrashing machine, a tractor and a

hay wagon.” Organizations like the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, the Calgary Firefighters’ Museum and

the Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Heritage Society provide much of the equipment and many of the

volunteers for these displays.

Another way of telling the heavy horse story is The Big Shoe Too. Every day, at 1pm in the Northern Lights

Arena, Befus says, “We use music and characters – a troubadour in essence – to help us tell a story about the

history of the draft horse.” This year’s troubadour is Tyrel Hawke, and the scene he will be helping to set is the

story of a livery stable – an institution that Befus insists was the real centre of most rural towns. The process of

selecting teams and teamsters to participate in the show started long before Stampede, and The Big Shoe Too

will be a graphic demonstration of the centuries-old partnership between horses and people.

After The Big Shoe Too, the participants don’t withdraw and wait for tomorrow’s show. Horses and teamsters

go back to Draft Horse Town to meet their fans. “We try and put our animals as close to the public as possible,”

says Befus. “People can come up and actually touch a horse and ask questions about it. That’s a big part of

the magic.” Draft horses were bred to have gentle and placid natures, he notes. “You have to work with them

up close and if you couldn’t trust them, they’d be too dangerous.”

Clydesdales, Percherons and Belgians, as well as the various Shire horses, were the main breeds of heavy horse

used in Western Canada, and there will be pens of each type of horse – including mares and foals - in Draft

Horse Town. “We try to have good breed representation,” Befus insists, noting that each breed had, and has,

its passionate partisans.

Draft Horse Town is located at the end of Saddledome Lane, south of the Saddledome and north of the

Agriculture Building and is open throughout Stampede. There’s lots of info at: www.drafthorsetown.com

The Stampede will be webcasting all events being held in the Big Top this year. Visit

http://ag.calgary.stampede.com /big-top-ustream to see live streaming of action from the Big Top.

Agrium Western Event Centre

Scheduled for completion before the 2014 10-day Stampede, the Agrium Western Event Centre is a state-of-

the-art facility for western events and agriculture education, exhibition and industry in southern Alberta.

Designed to form a lasting connection between urban and rural communities, it will host an engaging, globally-

focused educational program called Journey 2050, and it will play a central role in making the Calgary

Stampede a year-round gathering place. For more information

visit http://corporate.calgarystampede.com/about/park-development/agrium-western-event-centre/

About the Calgary Stampede

As we enter our second century, 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 10-day 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.

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For more information, please contact:

Megan Gauley Lori Wheeler

Ag Media Committee Chair Agriculture Project Coordinator

T 403.232.9087 T 403.261.0309

C 587.226.6766 C 403.519.8316

E agmedia@calgarystampede.com E lwheeler@calgarystampede.com

The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through its world-renowned 10-day Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme “We’re Greatest Together”; the volunteer-supported,

not-for-profit community organization preserves and promotes western heritage and values. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs

and facilities.