Chuckwagon outriders upset at rule changes

Changes aimed to make chuckwagon races safer at the Calgary Stampede are prompting a protest from professional outriders.

The group called Preserve the West wants the Stampede to reverse its decision to reduce the number of outriders per wagon to two from four.

Spokesman Bing Runquist says doing that would eventually spell the end of the sport.

He says a boycott of the Stampede is an option, but there may be a compromise such as reducing the number of outriders by just one.

The Stampede says it will not back off from the changes and has the support of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association.

The changes were largely prompted by six horses dying at the Stampede last year and one rider getting injured.