The call of bagpipes and thump of drums signalled the return of one of the Grey Cup害羞草研究所檚 oldest traditions: Tuffy Nuff, the mascot of Calgary Stampeders supporters had arrived.

A Scottish marching band led Tuffy, a 17-year-old black mare, into the lobby of a Hamilton hotel Thursday, continuing a custom that dates back to 1948. Di Wensel, the chair of the Calgary Grey Cup Committee, had the honour of riding Tuffy into a local restaurant then across the parking lot into the hotel.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 one of my most favourite things I do all year,害羞草研究所� said Wensel, still astride the horse. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e been coming to the Grey Cup for 20 years but being a part of this great, amazing group is fantastic, representing the city of Calgary and the Stampede is awesome.害羞草研究所�

An overzealous Stampeders fan rode a horse into the lobby of the Royal York Hotel, one of the fanciest hotels in downtown Toronto, in 1948. Calgary won its first of eight Grey Cups that year and so Stampeders fans have recreated the scene every season since.

Although it害羞草研究所檚 unknown how staff reacted to the horse害羞草研究所檚 appearance in the Royal York害羞草研究所檚 lobby 75 years ago, Tuffy is always a welcome guest now.

Hotel staff at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Hamilton greeted the horse with a basket of carrots and apples and had Tuffy 害羞草研究所渟ign in害羞草研究所� by placing a hoof on an ink pad.

害羞草研究所淲e feel so welcome wherever we go,害羞草研究所� said Wensel, with bagpipes still playing in the background. 害羞草研究所淒oesn害羞草研究所檛 have to be Calgary or even in Alberta.

害羞草研究所淲e go to B.C., we were in Regina last year and it was fantastic.害羞草研究所�

Cy Addley, who is a member of the Calgary Grey Cup Committee despite being from Chatham, Ont., has helped Tuffy enter hotel lobbies for decades.

害羞草研究所淚 saw him do it in 1948 and I害羞草研究所檝e helped him do it since 1975,害羞草研究所� said the 88-year-old Addley. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a lot of organization, a whole lot. A lot of hours to do all this.害羞草研究所�

The Stampeders are not in this year害羞草研究所檚 Grey Cup. The Montreal Alouettes will represent the East Division on Sunday and the West division winners the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will play in their fourth consecutive CFL championship game.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 a loyal Stampeders fan and I love to see my team play but I just want to see a great game,害羞草研究所� said Wensel. 害羞草研究所淚 think that we害羞草研究所檙e going to see a fantastic game between the Blue Bombers and the Alouettes.害羞草研究所�

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