With claims 84 animals, mostly horses, have died during Calgary Stampede competition since 1986, animal rights activists gathered again Saturday ahead of the afternoon rodeo performance.

The renewed calls for the abolishment of rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Stampede, follows Thursday night’s Rangeland Derby tragedy, where three horses were killed.

Jeremy Thomas has been a member of the Calgary Animal Rights Coalition for 13 years and said they are not anti-Stampede, adding the show can still go on without putting the lives of animals at risk.

“We’re on the other side, we’re for the rides, we’re for the parties, we’re against cruelty to animals for the sake of entertainment,” he said.

With bullhorns and placards in hand, the protesters tried to distribute information leaflets to those walking by.

Not many on the grounds supported their cause, but a number of people driving by did honk their horns in support.

A visitor from Florida was vocal speaking out against the rally, shouting from the overpass at Victoria C-train station.

“We fly to rodeos all over the country, go to at least a dozen a year, we absolutely love it and if they know anything about how the animals are treated, they’re rock stars,” he said.

The protestors plan to speak out again Saturday night and two more times Sunday, saying they have been fighting animal cruelty since 1998 and will continue to do so until the Stampede changes its ways.