There are very few facilities in Alberta that provide everything you need for hosting your horse sale or show. We pride ourselves on our customer service, and will set up whichever facility best suits your needs. We are client-focussed and will work to satisfy your needs, above all else. Our staff is very diligent about the security of your property and your access to our facilities during your rental period.

Horse Boarding

Olds Agricultural Society is pleased to offer our first-class stabling and riding facilities for your use during the fall, winter and spring. Permanent boarding is available.

Rates: 400.00/month (prepaid)

This rate includes:

• 10’ by 12’ wooden box stall in the unheated Stables barn
• Wood shavings for bedding
• Daily turnout and stall cleaning
• Morning and Evening Feeding (Hay Provided)
• Locker for personal items
• Caluori Pavilion and MegaDome access by appointment with the OAS office.(9am-9pm)

Not included in price and not a responsibility for OAS is the following:

• Grain and/or supplements
• Secured Tack Stalls
• Veterinary care or any husbandry of any kind

Please contact Tanya Goodwin at OAS Office at 403-556-3770 to reserve your spot, limited availability … don’t be disappointed.

Cutter's Classic and Futurity - August 20 - 26, 2012

Welcome cutting competitors, spectators and guests to the fifth Olds Cutter’s Classic Show and 3 year old futurity. The full slate of NCHA approved classes will present the most talented horses and riders in the north west that you can imagine. The ACHA and Olds Agricultural Society is very appreciative of all the purse sponsors and competitors for their continued support.

In modern cutting horse contests, competitors have two and a half minute to cut or separate as many individual cows from the herd as they choose, usually two or three. As the horse slowly walks into the herd, the rider begins the process of selecting one cow to cut from the rest of the group. Once a cow is selected and the cut made, the rider loosens the reins, grabs the saddle horn and allows the horse to take complete control of the contest. The horse must prevent the cow from returning to the herd.

If the cow becomes inactive or loses interest in returning to the herd, the rider may lift the reins and signal to the horse to “quit the cow.” The cow is allowed to return to the herd and the rider repeats the selection process.

Cutting is judged by a panel of experts who rate the horse performance in points. Each judge’s point rating may range from 60-80 points. The score is based on several key points including the challenges made by the cows that were cut, the horses instinctive reactions and the errors in judgment made by either the horse or rider during the competition.

Stabling Reservations Form 2011

Please check back for details on the 2012 Classic.

Team Roping

Team roping, also known as heading and heeling, is a rodeo event that features a steer and two mounted riders. One person, called the header, ropes the front of the steer, usually around the horns; the second is the heeler, who ropes the steer by its hind feet. Cowboys originally developed this technique on working ranches when it was necessary to capture and restrain a full-grown animal that was too large to handle by a single man.

Team Roping get-togethers are held twice a week throughout the year, on Tuesday and Friday evenings, at the Caluori Pavilion. This Winter Series Team Roping runs from December – March each year. (Contact OAS for specific dates.) The Team Roping Canada Championships are also held each year on the Labour Day long weekend in the Cow Palace. This is a four-day event that offers competitions for All-girl teams, Juniors, and ProAm.

For more information on Team Roping, contact the Team Roping Canada office at 403-586-ROPE or visit their website at www.teamropingcanada.com.

Open Pay Riding

OAS knows how much people with horses like to ride. To enjoy an equestrian experience, contact us for our Open Riding sessions.

The Caluori Pavilion is available from fall to spring for Open Pay Riding for just $10 per horse per visit. The fee must be prepaid at the time of booking, or you can make arrangements to set up an account at the Administration Office.

Whenever possible, we will endeavor to combine like disciplines together, whether barrel racing, Western or English, driving, dressage, reining, or some other discipline.

There are a number of options available to those wishing to have arena access for Open Pay Riding. Times may be available weekdays, weekends and evenings. Please call the office at 403-556-3770 to arrange an appointment.

Horse Sales and Shows

We encourage horse organizations and associations to hold their meetings in Olds at our facilities. The Cow Palace Boardroom is available for meetings of 10 - 15 people, and larger groups can hold their meetings in the Cow Palace foyer. Please visit our Fees/Bookings page for current rental rates.

Many provincial and national heavy and light horse associations like our facilities for hosting their individual breed shows. Recent upgrades have been made to lighting, sound, and heating, and the Cow Palace is an ideal facility to host machinery sales, displays, or demonstrations, as well as horse shows and sales or equine futurities. The Caluori Pavilion and the MegaDome are great for riding clinics and vaulting competitions. Horses can also be stabled in the Kiwanis Barn or the Stables, both designed specifically for stabling either light horses or draft horses. The Cow Palace has been home to cattle penning and team roping competitions as well. Please give us a call if you would like more information.

Horse Racing

OAS has one of the finest Racetracks in the province, in fact, Standardbred Canada has granted accreditation to the Olds oval to host officially recognized, recorded and timed races.

If you are just starting out in the horse industry, please visit our Website Links page for a list websites that may help you get started. We're here to help you, so give us a call with any questions you may have. If we don't know the answer, we'll find out for you!