Curtis Morin (right) and Layne Flad battle for position around the final turn during a World Professional Chuckwagon Association heat June 13, 2019 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede. The 2020 races have been postponed.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
The latest postponement to affect the Medicine Hat sports scene was announced last Thursday, with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association deciding to delay its stop at the local Stampede Grandstand.
Medicine Hat was among four WPCA tour stops altered in the April 9 release. Its original dates of June 11-14 were not rescheduled, and all tickets previously purchased can be refunded.
“The health and safety of horses and humans is the number one priority in the WPCA,” the release, which was re-issued by the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede on Monday, stated. “Sometimes tough decisions need to be made to maintain our high standards. With the full impact of COVID-19 still unknown and to maintain our commitment to the WPCA Code of Care and Animal Safety, decisions related to racing or cancelling, and postponing events are not made lightly.
“These are challenging times. Like the rest of the world we are following this global concern day by day and evaluating our options as specific scenarios are presented.”
Both WPCA events in Grande Prairie and High River were cancelled. Medicine Hat and Saskatoon are currently considered postponed.
The postponement follows the Stampede’s earlier decision to move its Broncs and Honky Tonks Spring Indoor Rodeo – which was originally slated for this weekend – back to Sept. 18-20.
The next major decision by the Gas City organization will be whether it can hold its annual exhibition and stampede, currently set for July 22-25.
Questions regarding tickets can be directed to mhstampede@mhstampede.com or 403-527-1234.
