Why Calgarians always ride a horse into a hotel at Grey Cup

Yep, that's a horse striding through a jam-packed hotel lobby. You're looking at Taffy, a 12-year-old leopard Appaloosa that's been put through it all. Gunfire, smoke, flames. Just to be up for this strange job, playing the role of Taffy in this Grey Cup tradition Calgarians started nearly 80 years ago. Legend goes, in 1948, a rowdy bunch of fans loaded up on a cross-country train headed for Toronto. Threatening Western hospitality on the East, serving up flapjacks and bacon, the crew paraded up Bay Street with a chuck wagon, horses, and plenty of 10-gallon hats. It was quite the sight for city slickers. And when the Stamps won the Grey Cup against the Ottawa Rough Riders, Calgarians delivered more than a parade. Let's go! The crew descended on the Royal York Hotel, one of Toronto's finest. There was square dancing, singing, someone rode a horse right into the hotel lobby. The night was a blur, but that horse detail stuck. When was the last time you saw a real, live horse in the lobby of this place? This Grey Cup party Calgary started continues to this day, thanks to the Calgary Grey Cup Committee, whether the stamps make it to the game or not.