One of the largest professional rodeos in Canada cancelled several controversial events such as steer wrestling and calf roping in a groundbreaking decision.

Organizers of the Coverdale rodeo near Vancouver made the decision after the death of an animal and protests over the long weekend by animal rights activists.

A calf had to be euthanized on Saturday after it was injured when it was wrestled to the ground in a tie-down roping competition, prompting angry protests that continued throughout the long weekend.

The rodeo has now decided to ban four popular events, including tie-down roping, team roping, cowboy cow milking and steer wrestling.

Organizers nearly dropped the events a few years ago when a steer was killed. Their decision means the Coverdale rodeo has broken ranks with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA).

"We made the decision not based on any other rodeo in this country or what anybody else is doing in the U.S.," said Cloverdale Rodeo spokesperson Laura Ballance.

The CPRA insists it cares about animals. The cowboy involved in the calf injury was disqualified and faces a fine. The association says it's reviewing Cloverdale's status.

But the decision likely means Cloverdale will lose its sanctioning under the CPRA and participants will no longer be able to gain points toward earning a Canadian title.

"We do not know if we will lose our sanctioning or not," said Ballance. "I think it's fair to say that we are moving forward whether or not we do lose it or not. This is our decision, we're willing to take a step out on our own."

Animal rights groups, meanwhile, are claiming victory, with renewed energy to go after other rodeos in the West.

"We're ecstatic, to tell you the truth, and on behalf of the Humane Society I'd like to commend everybody involved for making this decision," said Debra Probert of the Vancouver Humane Society.

"We're progressing in a time where cruelty is not necessary, not that it ever was, but for entertainment it's certainly not necessary," added animal rights activist Leanne Change.

The Cloverdale Rodeo was even targeted by Canadian actress Pamela Anderson, who urged corporate sponsors to pull out in a letter.

"The calf-roping event is particularly cruel. A baby animal, frightened and agitated, is confined in a small chute.. too often his head is slammed into the metal bars.. sometimes he's kicked," wrote Anderson.

The rodeo was lobbying for two rule changes, both of them related to roping. The first involved the introduction of breakaway ropes, which would release the animal when too much tension was applied. The second involves "the jerk down" -- a move that involves the rider pulling on the calf with such force that it rears up on its hind legs. Currently, the move is punishable by a fine, but the rodeo wanted the rider disqualified for using the technique.

With reports from CTV Vancouver's Dave Lefebvre and CTV's British Columbia bureau chief Todd Battis