Article content continued

“This is as upsetting to us as it is to our community, and is challenging for us,” the Stampede said in a statement early Monday morning. “The Stampede’s commitment to the safety of animals and the conditions of their participation in our events is paramount to our values and brand integrity. We will continue to be open in our communication with our community.”

Photo by Mike Drew/Postmedia

The incident capped off a grim week for Salmond’s outfit, after one of his animals died and three more sustained minor injuries in a collision on Thursday.

Stampede officials determined that driver Chad Harden impeded the wagon of fellow driver Danny Ringuette, causing it to collide with Salmond’s outfit. His was the third chuckwagon horse to die over the course of the week.

None of those injured horses were part of Salmond’s quartet on Sunday, according to the Stampede.

The Stampede took Harden’s “driver error” seriously, disqualifying him from racing for the remainder of the 2019 Stampede and fining him $10,000. He is required to also pay an additional $10,000 to Salmond for the cost of his fallen horse.

Harden’s unprecedented disqualification means he also faces a potential lifetime ban. He will not be invited to compete in the future but has the option of applying for reinstatement in any given year.

Earlier in the week, a horse belonging to driver Obrey Motowylo was euthanized following an injury sustained during Wednesday’s chuckwagon races. The Stampede said the horse was assessed by a veterinarian, who determined a fractured left front radius left “no option for treatment.”