Tuf Cooper defended after Calgary Stampede disqualification

...Shawn Wiese, Cooper's agent, defended the calf roper's actions on Friday. "Tuf's horse was late coming out of the box. Just like a barrel racer encourages her horse home to the finish line or a chuck racer encourages their horses to the finish line, Tuf had to get his horse going to catch up to the calf," he said in a statement. "Tuf would never harm any animal let alone his own horses. Tuf treats his horses like royalty and their health and well-being are top priority … All rodeo athletes have respect for the animals involved in the sport and would never intentionally harm them."...Gerald Willsie, a former rodeo champion, offered his opinion Friday on what happened during the run. "The horse wasn't giving him 100 per cent… and he was just like, pushing the gas pedal, he was asking for a little more. He was trying to speed him up," said Willsie. "I think they are trying to set an example out of him and it's pretty severe punishment, but you know, rodeo and sports with animals are under a lot of pressure from the public eye."...Also coming to the rodeo star's defence on Friday was Cecil Rhodes, the owner of a second horse that Cooper rides. Rhodes posted a long letter of support on Cooper's Facebook fan page, saying Cooper has never abused Topaz. "He has a very tender heart and love for all things, especially animals. Indeed, Tuf is a living role model, in the truest sense of the concept, to any young person, male or female. Tuf truly is an amazing young man and, at 70 years old, I am proud, very proud, to consider him a friend and he can ride, show, and keep any of our horses, anytime!"...more