Stampeders' horse allowed on field for Grey Cup

The CFL and the Calgary Stampeders have reached a compromise on the team's mascot.

The league announced Thursday that one of the Stampeders touchdown horse will be on the sidelines at Rogers Centre on Sunday when Calgary faces the Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup.

But the horse won't be able to gallop up and down the sidelines when Calgary scores due to a lack of available space and safety concerns.

"This is fabulous news and the Calgary Stampeder Football Club would like to thank the Rogers Centre, the Canadian Football League and the Grey Cup committee for allowing this great tradition to continue," said Stampeders president/COO Lyle Bauer.

"This is very important to our fans and it is only fitting that the horse would be present to mark the occasion of the 100th Grey Cup and celebrate the tradition of the Grey Cup festivities that started with Stampeders fans in 1948."

In Calgary, it's Quick Six and rider Karyn Drake that charge down the sidelines at McMahon Stadium when the Stampeders score a touchdown.

The compromise comes after league and Stampeders officials met to discuss concerns the mascot wouldn't be allowed to make the trip to Toronto.

The Stampeders arrived in Toronto Tuesday to begin preparations for the Grey Cup.

"But the CFL is happy to announce that one of Canadian football's fine traditions — Calgary's touchdown horse will be part of Grey Cup history once again," the league said in a statement.

It's been a good day on the horse front for Calgary fans. A group of Stamps supporters also successfully marched their horse Marty into the Royal York hotel lobby, recreating a stunt that first began during the 1948 Grey Cup in Toronto.

Gallery: Stamps' horse checks into Toronto hotel

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