Judges at the Calgary Stampede have suspended competitor Tuf Cooper for maltreating his horse during a roping event. The Calgary Stampede, which takes place in Alberta, Canada, features rodeo-style competitions and livestock exhibitions.

Said Kristina Barnes, communications manager for Western events and agriculture at the stampede, Cooper was taking part in a roping competition on July 8 when judges ruled that he excessively used his rope to strike his horse.

"The term the cowboys use is ‘over and under,’ using the rope to hit the horse on one side then the other," Barnes said.

The judges ruled that Cooper struck the horse six times, constituting misdrteatment of livestock, she said