Latest news with #Stampede
Otago Daily Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Queenstown's first couple of ice hockey
Queenstown ice hockey is much the richer for a couple from the sport's powerhouse nations, the United States and Canada. Both 37, Kellye Nelson and Colin McIntosh coincidentally both arrived in Queenstown in 2017, each intending on just a short stay. However, they soon met and fell for each other, and have since become huge contributors to Queenstown's two national league teams — and have also started representing their adopted country. From Lino Lakes in Minnesota, in the US, Kellye's backyard was, literally, a lake that froze in winter, "so that's where I found my love for skating". "And you kind of had to play ice hockey if you lived in Minnesota." She did dabble in other sports — she and her dad even started lacrosse at her high school — but hockey won out. As for its attraction, Kellye, who was coached by her dad, says "I'm very competitive and I love being able to get in there — you're essentially learning a new way to walk — but for me it's more the community and the teammates I've met". "I've never met a bad hockey player." Kellye played division three for an American university but was also away from the sport while studying in Prague, in the Czech Republic. After a year in Australia she had a five-year sales job in the US, and was then sitting out a non-compete period for another job when she decided instead to take a break in NZ — "I remembered NZ was a place Americans could do a working holiday before they were 30". Arriving in early 2017, she started at a surf camp up north before wending her way to Queenstown, not even knowing there was ice hockey here. Meanwhile, Colin also grew up with the sport, playing road hockey and ice hockey with his three brothers in La Pas, Manitoba. "Hockey was my life, still is. It's just the best sport in the world." As to why, "it's the hardest sport to play, the skill it takes is just insane". Having played professionally in North America and Europe, he heard from a friend about the Stampede, then after making inquiries was contacted by stalwart player Mike McRae. Two weeks later he was on a flight to Queenstown to become a Stampede import. He'd only intended staying a season, but meeting Kellye, who'd started managing the ice rink, changed things. After that Stampede season they travelled to Germany to play there before returning in 2018 — Colin then had the following offseason in Sweden. While Colin's Stampede career's so far run to 100-plus games with 100-plus goals, Kellye initially played two seasons for Dunedin-based Southern Storm before founding the Wakatipu Wild. From day one she's been the captain and McIntosh the coach — they note many players take some time to realise they're a couple. "It's been a lot of hard work and tapping my friends to support us because it's not a cheap sport," Kellye says. Colin notes the Wild's just continued improving year upon year. He experienced a very tough 2022 when he couldn't play after developing pericarditis in reaction to a Covid vaccine. "There were times where my heart rate was 200 beats per minute, just walking from the couch to the kitchen [was hard]. "There were a good six months of darkness because I couldn't leave the house, couldn't go to the rink, and that rink's always been my solace." When he returned to play he was 15kg-20kg overweight, and only got back to his best the past two seasons. He's again been able to help the Stampede stay on stop, and, this year, his second with the Ice Blacks, was their player of the tournament at their division's worlds in Dunedin. "To do that in front of my dad was definitely an honour." Having waited longer for her citizenship — "I was one of the first Kiwis to pledge the oath to the king" — Kellye made her Ice Fernz debut at this year's worlds, also in Dunedin. For this couple, though, encouraging others to step up has been as important as their own contributions. Colin even has his own equipment business, Enigma Hockey, aimed at selling gear as cheaply as possible. Kellye's also been thrilled to have her parents over recently for the first time in eight years, "and I got to play with dad on one of the social league nights — he even scored a goal". Managing Harcourts' holiday homes division, she's not planning to live in North America again. However, Colin, operations director for the Whakatipu Youth Trust, misses family back home, and while Queenstown's "definitely a long-term spot, I just don't know if I could live here forever".
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Animal abuse and rodeos
Opinion Rodeo season is upon us, and last week the nation's attention was focused on the Calgary Stampede. It didn't take long for animal welfare concerns to rise to the forefront, starting with the collapse of a horse during the opening Stampede Parade, and ending with the death of Rider, a horse participating in the chuckwagon races. Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Cowley called it 'an unfortunate incident.' The Vancouver Humane Society has been collecting statistics on animal deaths at the Calgary Stampede since 1986. The total is 110, with 2024 being one of the deadliest rodeos in Stampede history. Last year, four animals died: a steer used in steer wrestling and three horses used in chuckwagon racing. Chuckwagon racing is one of the deadliest rodeo events for horses, pushing them beyond their limits at tight speeds in tight spaces. This leads to tragic outcomes such as broken legs, heart failure, and fatal collisions. Other rodeo events, such as bronc/bull riding, animal scrambles, team roping, and wild horse/pony races, are also outdated and cruel modes of using animals as entertainment, as they cause significant mental and physical distress to the animals involved. Stock animals like calves and steers used in these events are often roped, chased, roughly handled, and extensively practised on even before entering a rodeo event. Negative reinforcement training methods such as electric shocks and flank straps are commonly used to train animals such as bulls to buck as violently as possible, with no reprieve until the desired behaviour is attained. The physical pain and immense fear that many animals experience in these events does not justify the entertainment value of the spectacle. While the Calgary Stampede may be the most nationally visible example of the unnecessary and cruel exploitation of animals for rodeo entertainment purposes, Manitoba has its own rodeo circuit. In addition to annual events in Morris and Selkirk, the Heartland Rodeo Association also travels to towns throughout Manitoba over the summer months. Event organizers and supporters often make the case for these rodeo events as supporting rural roots and traditions, citing concerns are raised by a largely urban population that doesn't understand rural life and values. Their position is that events such as animal scrambles, where youth chase animals around a loud crowded arena in an attempt to remove a halter from the animal's neck, provide an educational opportunity for urban dwellers on the day-to-day nature of farm life. However, this approach shows little regard for the physical and mental distress suffered by the animals involved. Framing the issue as simply a difference in values between urban and rural is a red herring. Whether one lives on a farm or in a condo, the majority of people do not want to see harm come to an animal. In fact, most Manitobans would agree that compassion and empathy for all living beings are not rural or urban considerations; they're human values. As we grow in our understanding of animals, many people are choosing to support events that celebrate them with care and compassion. In 2022, polling showed that 67 per cent of Canadians were against using animals in rodeos, with this number growing as public education on rodeos becomes more readily available. Moving away from rodeo events that cause mental and physical distress and suffering gives us the chance to create new traditions that honour animals without causing them stress or harm. By embracing humane alternatives, we can enjoy meaningful experiences that reflect our values of empathy and respect. Many agricultural fairs and events throughout the province have family friendly activities that do not harm animals or cause them distress. The midway, carnival games, vendor markets, mud bogging, tractor and machinery displays, live music, strongman competitions, bouncy castles, dog agility and flying disc displays, face painting, chainsaw carving, clowns, and parades are all more humane alternatives. It's time to move toward rodeo traditions that honour animals rather than placing them at risk. Krista Boryskavich is the director of animal advocacy and legal and government affairs at the Winnipeg Humane Society.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Construction about to ramp up around new Scotia Place
Construction around the new Scotia Place was dialed back during the Stampede, but now, officials say work is about to ramp up.
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Bell: Stampede bartender's sob story of drunks and long hours — gimme a break
Article content It's not often I take on one of our own stories. Article content Article content In the Woe Is Me file this one goes right to the top of the pathetic pile. Article content A bartender signs up to work during the Calgary Stampede, at one of the tents that pop up around town. Article content Article content You see, there are stories to tell. Stories where wrongs need to be made right. Article content There are also stories that are just interesting or entertaining. They might make you laugh or make you cry or make you laugh and cry. Article content Or think. Or feel. Article content There are other stories providing you with news you can use. Article content This is not one of any of these stories. Article content This bartender story is what was once called a sob story. It is an open invitation to a pity party. Article content It is self-indulgent crap in an age of self-indulgent crap. Article content Here goes. Article content This story tells us this bartender believes drinking around Stampede contributes to deteriorating mental health. Article content Article content Quite the statement to make when she is the one serving the drinks and no doubt getting a pretty penny for doing so, driving all the way from Edmonton to take the job. Article content As the days go on she says people get more aggressive and demanding, even hostile. Article content What she means by this is not explained. Article content Having hit the bottle hard in my day and patronized far too many watering holes there isn't much you don't see with alcohol in the mix. Article content Article content Thank you, Captain Obvious. Article content Enter a scientific study in a medical journal. It shows a spike in emergency visits during Stampede time by men and an increase in substance misuse cases. Article content The study was from about 10 years ago and was done so emergency rooms could know how much they should staff up during Stampede.
National Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Raymond J. de Souza: Calgary Stampede reminder of West's relationship to the land
CALGARY — 'I want to salute the horse,' said Sgt. Major Scott Williamson, riding master of the RCMP Musical Ride at the Calgary Stampede this year. 'No horse, no Stampede. No horse, no RCMP. No horse, no Western Canada as it is,' he said. Article content I was back home in Calgary for the Stampede this year, the first time in twenty-five years. Even as a teenager, I was less than eager for the midway rides, carnival games and stomach-churning concessions. In any case, those are the same at any civic fair, wherever it may be. Article content Article content What makes the Stampede, more than the cowboy hats and pancake breakfasts, is the livestock, the animals, and – in particular — the horse. The agriculture barns, cattle judging, livestock auctioneering, rodeo and chuckwagon races put the animals that built the West front and centre. The official title (used to be, at least) the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, and the former part survives in the agricultural component of the ten-day civic festival. Article content Article content This year the RCMP — M for 'mounted' — Musical Ride was on hand, opening their Alberta tour in Calgary. The gleaming black horses and red-serge constables are one of Canada's most distinctive symbols, so much so that they were chosen to lead the funeral procession of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Article content It's more than impressive equine choreography, though. That's the point the master of the ride was making in his tribute to the horse. The partnership between man and horse is not an equal one, but without the horse, man's capacity to live and explore the vast Canadian West would have been severely limited, if not impossible. Even ancient customs like the Indigenous buffalo hunt were made easier by the use of horses. Article content Article content The Spanish conquistadors knew that well, keeping meticulous records of each stallion and mare they brought over from Europe. The American cowboy knew that well, considering horse-thieving a capital crime. The early Parliament of Canada knew that well, passing legislation to create a 'mounted' police force in the newly acquired Rupert's Land — the North-West Mounted Police. Article content Article content No horse, no Western Canada — at least as we know it today. Article content Williamson's brief apologia for the horse was necessary. The actual 'Cowboys and Indians' of Alberta today were a bit on the defensive at the Stampede. Twenty-five years or more of environmental attacks on the western way of life — agriculture and oil, rodeo and ranching — have left their mark. Article content Environmentalists protest bovine belching; ranchers in the agricultural barns argue that cattle keep the grasslands vibrant and the grass keeps the deadly carbon at bay.
