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A horse just checked into a Calgary hotel ahead of the Grey Cup — and even had a beer

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Nov 13 2026, 6:05 pm
A horse just checked into a Calgary hotel ahead of the Grey Cup — and even had a beer
The Canadian Press

There’s a lot going on in Calgary ahead of Sunday’s Grey Cup, but not every visitor to the city arrived by car or plane.

Taffy the horse made quite the entrance at a downtown Calgary hotel on Thursday, trotting through the lobby to the sound of screaming bagpipes and drummers as part of a decades-old Grey Cup tradition.

The 12-year-old horse, also known as Tuffy for the occasion, made his way to the check-in counter at the Homewood Suites before heading over to the hotel bar for a bowl of Guinness.

Yes, you read that right. A horse checked into a hotel and enjoyed a drink ahead of the big game.

The unusual visit is part of a tradition dating back to 1948, when a Calgary Stampeders fan rode a horse into the lobby of Toronto’s Royal York Hotel ahead of the Grey Cup.

Since then, a horse bearing the name Tuffy has made an appearance at a hotel in the host city ahead of the championship game.

Taffy, a brown-and-white Leopard Appaloosa, has experience working in film productions. He’s also accustomed to simulated danger and loud noises, making him a fitting guest for Thursday’s noisy hotel arrival.

The visit drew plenty of attention from fans, with some snapping photos alongside the unexpected hotel guest.

taffy-the-horse-grey-cup

Taffy the horse taking part in The Grey Cup Festival (@calstampeders/X)

“Who sees a horse in a hotel, right?” Calgary Stampeders fan Lisa McKay told CBC.

McKay said she had attended previous Grey Cup festivals but had never witnessed the horse tradition before.

The Edmonton Elks and Montreal Alouettes will meet in Sunday’s Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium, but Taffy has already arguably made one of the week’s most memorable appearances.

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